Ride & Roost Ranch's Equines At Liberty (RRREAL) program is an observational and experiential program that exposes horses to people who otherwise might not have the opportunity to do so.
Research shows the positive impact of horses on people's well-being. Encouraging mindfulness with horses has shown to reduce stress hormones (cortisol) and anxiety in people, as well as improve their self-esteem and confidence. Furthermore, interacting with horses can improve one's patience, perseverance, assertiveness, and ability to remain calm under pressure.
*Notes:
There is no horseback riding in the RRREAL program.
RRREAL is not a therapy program; it is purely experiential.
Sources:
Psychology and Physical benefits of Interactions with Horses (Clemson University)
This question is not easily answered because it all depends on the day, the mood and energy of both human and horse, and what you want to get out of the experience. We will begin by observing the horses in their pasture to better understand their natural behaviors and individual personalities. From there, we will introduce essential safety practices around horses and discuss the reasons behind each guideline. The next step involves direct interaction with the horses, focusing on developing effective communication between humans and horses. These activities could take place over several sessions.
As the human-horse relationship evolves, each participant's experience will naturally start to take its own shape. Some examples of things people can experience with the horses include grooming (brushing), reading to or with the horses, brushing or braiding their manes (neck hair), walking alongside them, completing obstacles together, and engaging in liberty work.
Liberty work is a form of human-horse interaction that takes place without physical restraints, focusing instead on building a deep connection through communication, body language, and mutual trust. It allows the horse to make independent choices while responding to subtle cues from the human, fostering a true partnership built on respect and understanding.