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F.E.O.S.A.P.
Fundamental Educational Outdoor School Activity Program
Purpose: Provide a hands-on educational activity for children, while also providing a supplemental conditioning program for horses who have graduated from the Equine Rescue Rehabilitation Center. Children will be introduced to a variety of topics ranging from horses to nature to survival.
Schedule: The program runs for three hours, three times a day, seven days a week. Start times are 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 1:00 PM and run as follows:
7:00 | Do’s & Don’ts | 15 min |
7:15 | Crew Outfitting | 15 min |
7:30 | Horse Tack Up | 30 min |
8:00 | Ride Out (Nature Study) | 30 min |
8:30 | Break | 15 min |
8:45 | Ride Back (Wilderness Survival) | 30 min |
9:15 | Horse Husbandry Class | 30 min |
9:45 | Quiz | 15 min |
10:00 | Start next Group | 3 hours |
Do’s & Don’ts: In this class, children are introduced to the basic do's and don'ts of horsemanship. They are also taught safety guidelines that will protect them from being injured or injuring the horses. This is the first class before the children are allowed to see the horses and will only be 15 minutes long.
Crew Outfitting: The next 15 minutes will be used to provide each child / rider with the necessary attire for horse riding. This will include vulcanized rubber boots, hats, and ponchos. Every item is sanitized before being used and there will be plenty of each size. This will ensure that everyone adheres to our safety standards and that nobody will be left out.
Horse Tack Up: In this 30 minute period of time, the children will be shown the various pieces of equipment (bridle, stirrups, saddle, etc) needed for horse riding and will be instructed as to the proper methods for using the equipment. They will each first brush and groom, and then tack up the horses. Once they finish, they will quickly review key safety guidelines and begin their Ride Out.
Ride Out (Nature Study): This is the first ride for the children. They will ride to a series of five different Points of Interest (PoI) and learn a few things at each PoI that pertain to nature. Each PoI will be a short 2 minutes' ride from each other. This gives 3 minutes at the actual location before moving to the next location. Since there are five PoI, this ride will take 25 minutes with an additional 5 minutes to get to the break site and tie up the horses. After this 30 minute ride, there will be a short break.
Break: A quick fifteen minute break for refreshments for the kids. More importantly, this is a pit stop for the horses. Up to this point, the horses have been groomed and taken on a 30 minute walking exercise routine. Now they will eat and rest before another 30 minute ride.
Ride Back (Survival Study): After the break, the children will recap the safety rules. Then they will mount the horses and start the trail back. This time the 5 PoI will concern basic wilderness survival techniques. The ride will also follow the same format as before and will take 30 minutes.
Horse Husbandry Class: This class is designed to cover more in-depth horse care techniques and provides hands-on experience with the horses. The horses get brushed, groomed, and then fed. This is the last activity for the horses until the next group of kids.
Quiz: The kids will be given a fifteen minute quiz that will test them about the things they have learned throughout the day. Included in the quiz will be questions asking for feedback to improve the functionality of the program. After the quiz, the children will head back to their schools and the next group starts.
Safety Guidelines: Several safety guidelines will be in place, to ensure at all times that accidents and injuries are prevented. These guidelines will be posted at both buildings and will be reveiwed before each departure. Prior to the activities beginning, Safety Release forms will be required to be signed indicating that participants have been explained the safety guidlines and releasing The Project from all liability should these guidlines be ignored, broken, or disregarded in any way. All necessary safety equipment will be provided. All groups must be accompanied by an adult.
Summary: Fundamental Educational Outdoors School Activity Program (F.E.O.S.A.P.) is an educational program for school children that focuses on horse and wilderness education. It is a three hour program that incorporates hands-on horsemanship with education. F.E.O.S.A.P. also acts as a supplementary conditioning program for horses, providing food, care, and regular exercise to help horses recovering from injury or neglect.