SAN MARCOS — For people with developmental disabilities, everyday experiences others take for granted can feel far from ordinary. Since 2011, the TERI Campus of Life has offered people with disabilities opportunities to interact with horses at the Harriet E. Pfleger Equestrian Center. Whether clients help groom or feed a horse or simply visit with the animals, the equestrian staff tailors each program to their needs.
That same approach is now being applied to a new leadership development program for corporations, nonprofits, clubs and other groups interested in incorporating horses into team-building exercises.
Dubbed “The TERI Equine Experience,” the new program promises to “help strengthen communication, trust, collaboration, and leadership through guided activities with horses.”
The program is led by trained facilitators. One of them, Kathy Sebuck, said nine horses are currently stabled at the barn, including two miniature horses. Because the horses’ primary role is working with clients with developmental disabilities, patience is their most important attribute. All the horses are at least 7 years old.
With buildings on campus also available to rent, the equine experience can be paired with more formal training sessions in classroom settings.
Sebuck explained how staff prepares for each group: “We do a discovery call with the main point of contact before the session to identify what the goals/themes are the group/team wants to work on. From there, we map out 2-3 exercises (half or full day) that will allow that type of aligned experience working with the horses and then debrief with the group.”
A video introduction illustrates some of the exercises, including leading a horse through an obstacle course.
The program takes place entirely on the ground, Sebuck said. While some of the horses provide horseback riding experiences for clients with developmental disabilities, the professional training curriculum focuses on building trust and communication with the horses.
When asked how many miles of riding trails are available on the 20-acre TERI campus, equine director Natalie Birchfield laughed and said the trails are measured in yards, not miles.
A small pasture is a short walk from the barn, which has a large paddock attached. Sebuck said the pasture gives the horses privacy during breaks, while the barn and paddock are used for the equine experience courses.
Income from the new professional development program will help cover the costs of TERI’s core programs serving people with developmental disabilities. The program joins existing fundraising ventures such as venue rentals, the Common Grounds Café and The Bornemann Theatre, all at the San Marcos campus, as well as the TERI Inspired Resale boutique on Mission Avenue in Oceanside.
The TERI equestrian center is also hosting the “TERI Harvest Horse Show & Hoe Down” fundraiser at 3 p.m. Nov. 14. Riders with developmental disabilities will showcase the skills they have been practicing, followed by a barbecue dinner, live music and dancing.
Visit the TERI website for more information on the classes and the fundraiser.
