Students from Jacks Valley Elementary School recently wrapped up an enriching six-week after-school program focused on responsibility, horsemanship, and emotional growth, offered through Between Horses and Humans (BHH) in Gardnerville. The program, which combined hands-on learning with personal development, gave students the chance to care for horses while building key life skills.

Throughout the course, students participated in various horse care tasks such as grooming, mucking stalls, and feeding grain. In addition to these essential activities, they learned to harness the power of breath and emotion regulation to connect with the horses' calm and intuitive nature. This approach helped them build a deeper bond with the animals while also mastering basic ground skills and riding techniques.

One of the program's most impactful experiences was the students' first ride, where they confronted the delicate balance between fear and bravery when mounting the horses. These moments were pivotal in fostering their self-confidence and resilience.

School Social Worker Jeannette Bostedt emphasized the importance of such unique opportunities in helping students develop both self-assurance and empathy. "Programs like this teach more than just horsemanship—they give our students a chance to face their fears and strengthen their emotional intelligence," she said.

Seanna Jackson, Program Director of BHH, was equally excited to see the progress made by each student. "It’s been amazing to watch the students not only grow in their horsemanship skills but also in their personal confidence," she remarked. On the program’s final day, Jackson had the honor of presenting each student with a certificate of completion and a model of their favorite horse as a keepsake.

This program highlights the power of animals to inspire and teach valuable lessons in responsibility, bravery, and empathy, leaving a lasting impression on the students involved.

Read the Record-Courier article.