Once the Client agrees to the proposal, a formal contract will be sent to the Client.  A 25% non-refundable deposit will be required to reserve the date(s).  A 50% payment will be due two months before the actual date.  The 25% remainder of the fee will be due 2 weeks prior to arrival date.The Co-Facilitators will send out a Welcome Letter to the Client that is to be distributed to the Participants.  This letter will contain information about their time at the farm and what to expect.  It will include appropriate dress, the promise that it requires no formal horse experience and that it is unmounted.  It will also describe the experiential nature of these activities and what the stated goals for the group are.

All that remains for the arrival at Stepping Stones Farm & Retreat Center, is to come ready to be outside and have fun with your group.  Everyone will be transported back in time on this historic 270 year old working farm.  Participants will enjoy being the only group at the farm for their stay.  Guests will dine, work, and stay in peace and comfort so they are free to fully benefit from this experiential educational adventure with the horses.

Each group will gather together to receive an Introduction to Horses and Safety during the activities.  They will then Meet & Greet the horses to observe Equine Herd Behaviors. During this time, Participants will be asked to select their favorite horse with whom to work.  Up to six horses will be engaged in any one session. Group size is limited to a maximum of 12 people. Safety is a top priority with solid instruction about how to interact with a horse. Each session takes place in an enclosed arena with careful supervision by credentialled Facilitators and trained Equine Specialists. The sessions are typically 1.5 hours in length with the horses, followed by a half hour Debrief of the experience. Groups or individuals may choose to do only one session as part of their stay at the farm. Two or more sessions may also be arranged and blended with other programming depending on the needs of the individual or group.

The Debrief discussion following the equine experience is when “Ah Ha” Moments happen. Discovery emerges and learning ‘sticks’ long into the future.  Participants are asked by the Facilitators to reflect on what the horses did and why they think they did it.  They are then encouraged to consider where similar things show up either in their workplace, the dining room table, at school or on their team. This introspection helps Participants build on their strengths while uncovering limiting behaviors. This is the key piece that brings the experiential learning to fruition.  Action Items are generated at the conclusion of each Debrief.