PHOTO PROVIDED
Members Leeana Decker and Valley Moore with instructor Suzy Forseman and horse Gigi.
In September, the On the Fence 4-H Club, a local community group of Montoursville, partnered with Empower Stride, an Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) nonprofit organization located in Muncy. According to a news release, Empower Stride’s mission is to help individuals grow through the unique guidance of “horses teaching humans one step at a time.”
“The club participated in a two-hour, hands-on learning session focused on team building and leadership development,” the news release said. “The experience began with a safety briefing, where members learned how to properly and respectfully handle horses. They were then introduced to Smarty, a 17-year-old American mare, and Gigi, a 25-year-old American mare. Members bonded with the horses through grooming and practiced leading them using basic commands.”
Next, the group was divided into teams and presented with a creative challenge: a “4-Day Survivor Scenario.” Each team had to guide their horse through four different obstacle courses, simulating survival tasks. The activity emphasized communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork–all while encouraging the growth of leadership skills and confidence.
“This engaging and memorable event gave each member a deeper understanding of themselves and their ability to work with others–both human and horse alike,” the news release said. “It was a meaningful experience that combined learning with fun in a truly unique way.”