YOUTH STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS and LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS

• Interactive and fun learning experiences about our local watershed and its inhabitants promote an appreciation for nature in hopes of inspiring future stewards of the land
• Facilitated interactions with horses, both on the ground and in the saddle, teach essential leadership and interpersonal skills including confidence, self-awareness, empathy, assertiveness, clear communication
• Participants experience being responsible and contributing members of the local ecosystem and a “green horse-keeping” stable that uses Best Management Practices to protect water quality and conserve water
• All programs emphasize the interconnectedness of all living things and our responsibility for taking care of the land that takes care of us and our horses

Support for our programs to under resourced communities is provided in part through a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy.

EQUINE and NATURE GUIDED LEARNING

Equinicity Marin is the Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) private practice of Jessica Pinto, LMFT.  EFP is a dynamic form of experiential psychotherapy that involves a collaborative effort between the client, the horse, and a mental health professional. Developing a connection with a horse takes patience, courage, self-awareness, and the same interpersonal skills required for successful interactions with other humans. With the horse as a teacher and the therapist as a guide that connection will cultivate life skills such as confidence, centeredness, energy regulation, assertive leadership, empathy and perspective-taking to improve overall functioning and enjoyment of life.

GUTS – Girls Utilizing Their Skills is an equine leadership group for girls.  Stephanie Holdenried, certified (CEIP) equine facilitated educator, offers this workshop empowering girls to be leaders in their families, their communities, and their world with the help of horses.  Exploring new intentions, setting healthy boundaries, improving communication, and developing authentic leadership skills is part of this program.

Executive Coaching and Team Development workshops for adult professionals.  Judith Forrest, Vice President of the Board of Directors is co-founder of Perspective2, a Bay Area  consulting firm that works with start up leaders and their companies.   Judith is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Equine Interaction Professional, providing individual coaching and team sessions with clients and horses.  Personal experience and research in the emerging field of Equine Facilitated Learning shows that horses are remarkable teachers for helping humans learn how to communicate congruently and to develop and refine their leadership skills.

HORSES HELPING to UNIFY the COMMUNITY

• Muir Beach Barn Owls: A community based youth program to experience ranch life, inspire a love of horses and future equestrian activities in nature; as well as teach responsibility and accountability through shared ranch chores and horse care
• Future Stewards Summer Day Camp: A morning program that shares the history of the Golden Gate Dairy Stables and our horses, our watershed, owl habitat, and cycles of life through owl pellet dissection, as well as through manure management and composting to grow organic vegetables
• Community Day: An annual event in our historic hay barn hosted by Ocean Riders to bring members of our local community together.  Over the past several years Ocean Riders has hosted a family ranch day for the Muir Beach community; Tony Brazil and members of the Sausalito-based IDDEST and wider Portuguese community to speak about the history of the Portuguese Dairy farmers who used to farm Frank Valley ; a St. Patrick’s Day thistle pull to remove invasive plants and care for our local watershed, and other happy hour events with music to celebrate the history and culture of this valley.  
• Volunteer Mounted Patrol for California State Parks: Ocean Riders members are trained to assist other trail users, report trail hazards and conflicts, and promote safe trail etiquette for all users
• Tails and Tires: In collaboration with the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) Ocean Riders initiated this pilot program to promote safe trail etiquette by educating local high school mountain bike teams and their coaches on the biology of the horse and circumstances that trigger fear responses in both horse and human.  Although no longer hosted at the Golden Gate Dairy, the Marin Horse Council continues to offer this important program with much success.

Currently we can only offer seasonal programs that depend on good weather.  Your generosity and support to help us build a Covered Arena will help us provide and expand programming for all our target audiences on a year round basis.