School Programs

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Horsemanship is the methodology used by City Ranch to foster a range of engaged learning experiences for students in Baltimore. Our school programs have been deployed in the Baltimore City Public School System from the elementary through high school levels and result in higher student achievement and performance as well as a reduction in truancy. Through the City Ranch school program, we motivate, challenge, encourage and educate children in the Greater Baltimore Area.

 

Every program is unique to respond to the individual needs of the school and its students, but they all follow the same guiding principles of teaching hard and soft skills through experiential learning.

 

Learning to interact with a horse facilitates the development of a range of skills and abilities that will benefit the future healthy, productive and well-adjusted member of our community. We discuss the impact horses have on the local, regional and national economies. Learning to keep a horse healthy through diet, exercise, and preventive medicine will connect to the importance of personal health. These topics are door-openers to character discussions, behavior modification and practices that lead to higher achievement. Our program reinforces the importance of reading and math skills, along with critical thinking and problem solving abilities.

 

The benefits acquired by the students participating via our school partnerships fall into two categories, namely they will develop both “hard” and “soft” skills.

 

Hard skills range from an education in equine anatomy and physiology, to an understanding of tack and other equipment used in riding and their care. Other hard skills include listening, following instructions, practicing safety and collaborating with others.

 

Soft skills include such things as leadership, kindness, compassion, courage, self-control, verbal and non-verbal communication and discipline.

 

Through our programs, students also gain knowledge and experience of the outdoors and athleticism.

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The opportunity to test oneself and develop these skills cannot always be found within a classroom; working with a horse that commands respect and yet requires control can offer lessons that last a lifetime.

SAFETY IS THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR PROGRAM. 

Our risk reduction polices and procedures will follow the recommendations the North American Horseman’s Association.