Horses are not just animals on this farm. They are teachers. The equine program at The Living Ground is a full educational curriculum built around the care, handling, and relationship between humans and horses. For many of the youth and families we serve, this will be their first time standing next to a horse. That moment changes something.

The equine program teaches responsibility, patience, nonverbal communication, and the kind of focused presence that carries over into every other area of a student's life. It is also a direct entry point into careers in veterinary science, animal husbandry, ranch management, and equine therapy.

How your donation will be used:
Funds go toward horse stalls and fencing, feed and veterinary care, farrier services, tack and equipment, and the compensation of a qualified equine educator to run the program. A portion also supports scholarship access so that cost is never a barrier to participation.

How it will be tracked and reported:
All equine program expenses are tracked by category including feed, veterinary bills, facility maintenance, and staffing. Donors receive quarterly updates with photos of the horses, program enrollment numbers, and a summary of educational milestones reached. Veterinary records and facility inspection reports are available to major donors upon request.

Why this matters:
There is something that happens between a young person and a horse that no classroom can replicate. We are building the space for that to happen and making sure it is accessible to everyone.

Equine Program