Equestrian/Equine Program
Agapé Boarding School has a great horsemanship program. This program is designed to utilize the God-given, natural therapy offered through the horse to promote personal growth in confidence, character, responsibility, and leadership skills. Many life lessons can be learned from the back of the horse. It is the intention of this program to teach young men to become good leaders of themselves, their homes, and their communities. See also AGAPÉ RANCH MINISTRIES.
The students are involved with all aspects of the farm, from feeding and veterinary work to assisting with foaling and calving. In the colt class, the boys start working with the young horses when they’re weaned at about 7 or 8 months old. They learn how to halter-break them and teach them to lead, walk over tarps and pick up their feet.
The training process begins in earnest when the horses are about 2 years old.
We take a long time training and start really slow, teaching the boys how to be around the horses and watching their responses before we ever saddle and ride them. Then, the boys start working their horses in the round pen. Eventually, we’ll go trail riding and gather cows on horseback. Every once in a while a boy may get bucked off, but it gives him an opportunity to learn how to dust himself off and get back on.
As the young horses learn and grow, so do the young men.
You can’t control anything until you can control yourself. That’s why most of these boys are here. They couldn’t control themselves. They got in trouble. And horses make great tools for rehabilitation. When they help a young colt get over issues like being saddled, crossing a creek and other things that spook it, the boys are learning how to conquer fear and overcome obstacles in their lives.
Three equestrian/equine courses are offered at Agapé
- Equine Safety — teaches basic knowledge of horses, cattle, and equipment.
- Tack and Care — teaches the basics of caring for a horse.
- Horsemanship — teaches discipline, balance, and technique
These courses use the natural apprehensions, thrills, and victories, associated with entering a relationship with a horse to reopen a heart and mind that has been closed to leadership, learning and love. Our program is based on a personal working relationship between a young man and his own horse . Because of a horse’s instinct to survive and interact socially he is very sensitive to his environment and becomes a mirror of the young man’s emotions and feelings.
Through exercises in natural horsemanship, each young man must learn to communicate on the horses level and develop a trusting relationship that allows him to lead the horse without force or coercion. Through this process, the teen boy learns more about himself and his personal relationships with others than he does about horsemanship. The program uses a genuine approach to working with horses that is free from gimmicks, games and props. This is just “the boy and his horse.” The main focus is the boy. The goals and accomplishments are not for the betterment of the horse. The horse will be used to better the boy. The curriculum also includes Biblical aids in an understanding of overcoming fear, controlling behavior, and becoming a man of integrity.
Advanced & Vocational Equine Classes
*For students who desire to further their education within the equestrian program there, an advanced class and a vocational class are offered. Both classes will only be available through parental and administrative consent. This class will go into much more detail and teach all the skills that one would need to work on a ranch including: training, performing, breeding, foaling, building tack and tack repair, farrier basics, and horses as a business.
What the boys say about learning from the horses…
Honey (my horse) has taught me a lot in just a short time. God has worked through her to help me be a better person while I try to put on the “new man” as talked about in Colossians three. She has taught me how to ride better and have a little more patience. She has helped me to grow and if it is God’s will she will help you grow. God has a plan for everyone and I am so glad that God put Honey in my life. Honey helped me grow closer to God and has become my best friend. She has a wonderful personality. Certainly working with her has been a privilege. — Seth C.
My horse’s name is Rachel, she is a very energetic and lively horse. When Mr. Olson gave her to me to train I was super excited for the challenge, knowing she’s quite the handful. When I first got her she always wanted to run off or kick up but we push through the battles and conquer both of our troubles. I love her to death, she is such an amazing horse. — Leo P.
My horses name is Double he is a very calm patient horse willing to do what I need him to do. Working with him has taught me patience and given me an experience that can benefit me for the rest of my life. — Devon S.
My horse, Peppa, has taught me a few life lessons. When things get tough to push forward she taught me how to be patient. When I first started training her I was scared she would hurt me but one day in Bible reading we read Proverbs 29:25, from then on I decided to trust God and help me press on and keep me safe. — Josh W.
The following photos were graciously supplied by TODAY’S FARMER MAGAZINE, which had an article about the program in their June-July 2018 issue, and also produced the video at the top of this page.
This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.What Others Saying About Us
“Agapé has had a long history of helping boys. With improved behavior and impulse control, these young fellows learn to succeed and develop a healthy respect for authority figures, parents and loved ones. As a physician. I strongly support the model practiced at this boarding school.”
David.E.Smock .MD
“Families searching for lower cost boarding schools can’t compromise on quality of the care for their boy. For all the years I have been an educational consultant, Agapé has stood out from the others as offering the most affordable care and quality education for boys.”
My grandson entered Agapé under duress at age 14, a know it all who wouldn’t go to school. The staff at this school turned him around, in effect, replacing his missing father. He graduated as valedictorian this year. I can’t say enough about how this school helped him. He has…
Parent of Former Student