Youth Therapy & Empowerment Programs
Building confidence, self-awareness, respect and connection through relationships with equines.
Equine-Assisted Therapy for children & youth
At Major's Place, we offer Eagala Equine Assisted Therapy, a powerful, experiential approach that leverages the intuitive nature of horses to support emotional growth and healing.
This therapy model, grounded in the belief that individuals have the innate ability to find their own solutions, involves no riding—allowing participants to engage with horses on the ground in activities that reflect real-life challenges.
Guided by a certified Eagala team, clients gain insights into their behaviors, emotions, and relationships through the horses’ honest, non-judgmental responses. This dynamic process fosters self-awareness, builds confidence, and promotes emotional resilience, making it especially effective for veterans, first responders, and others seeking a unique path to mental wellness.
Bring Your Child's Therapist:
Bring your own therapists to Major's Place and we'll assist you in facilitating an Eagala Equine Therapy session. We accept Medicare/Medi-cal for Eagala Equine-Assisted Therapy sessions.
Work with Our Mental Health Professionals:
If you do not have a personal therapist, you are welcome to work with our in-house team of mental health professionals and equine specialists. We accept Medicare/Medi-cal for Eagala Equine-Assisted Therapy sessions.
Apply for a Scholarship:
At the core of our mission is making our services affordable to our veterans and first responders. If your therapeutic services are not covered, apply for a scholarship today!
Youth Empowerment Programs at Major's Place
The Youth Empowerment Program at Major’s Place is a transformative initiative designed to help children and adolescents build confidence, resilience, and essential life skills through the unique experience of working with horses.
This program recognizes the challenges that young people face today—ranging from social pressures and academic stress to emotional struggles and family dynamics—and offers a supportive environment where they can grow, learn, and thrive.
Youth Therapy & Empowerment
Program Objectives
Building Self-Esteem: Horses are incredibly intuitive and respond to the emotions and actions of those around them. Through activities such as grooming, leading, and interacting with the horses, participants learn to trust themselves, develop self-assurance, and recognize their own strengths. Success in these activities can translate to a boost in confidence in other areas of life.
Enhancing Communication Skills: Effective communication is key when working with horses, as these animals respond to both verbal and non-verbal cues. Participants learn to express themselves clearly and assertively, skills that are invaluable in their interactions with peers, family members, and authority figures.
Developing Emotional Resilience: Horses provide immediate feedback, reflecting the emotions and intentions of the individuals they interact with. This interaction helps young participants become more aware of their own feelings and teaches them how to manage stress, anxiety, and frustration in a constructive way. The program also emphasizes the importance of perseverance and patience, which are critical components of emotional resilience.
Fostering Responsibility and Accountability: Caring for a horse requires dedication and consistency. Participants are given responsibilities, such as feeding, grooming, and ensuring the well-being of their equine partners. This instills a sense of accountability and the understanding that their actions have direct consequences, both positive and negative.
Promoting Teamwork and Leadership: Many activities in the Youth Empowerment Program are designed to be collaborative, encouraging participants to work together to achieve common goals. Whether through group exercises or team-building challenges, young people learn the value of cooperation, mutual respect, and leadership within a team setting.
Cultivating Empathy and Compassion: Horses are sentient beings with their own personalities, emotions, and needs. By caring for and building relationships with these animals, participants develop a deeper sense of empathy and compassion, not only towards animals but also towards other people.
Program Structure
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Individual Sessions: One-on-one sessions allow for personalized attention and focus on the specific needs and goals of each participant. These sessions provide a safe space for youth to explore their emotions, build skills, and receive individualized feedback.
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Group Workshops: Group sessions encourage peer interaction and are often centered around themes such as leadership, communication, or problem-solving. These workshops are designed to simulate real-world scenarios, allowing participants to practice and refine their skills in a supportive group environment.
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Special Events and Camps: Major’s Place also offers special events as part of the Youth Empowerment Program. These immersive experiences provide intensive learning opportunities, where participants can dive deeper into the principles of horsemanship, teamwork, and personal development.
The Youth Empowerment Program is open to children and adolescents of all backgrounds, with a particular focus on those who may be experiencing difficulties such as low self-esteem, social anxiety, behavioral challenges, or the impacts of trauma. The program is also beneficial for young people simply looking to develop new skills and engage in a positive, growth-oriented environment.
Participants in the Youth Empowerment Program often leave with a stronger sense of self, improved communication and social skills, and a deeper understanding of their own emotions and how to manage them. The experiences gained through working with horses can be life-changing, providing young people with the tools they need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and emerge as confident, capable, and compassionate individuals.
Through the Youth Empowerment Program, Major’s Place is committed to helping the next generation build the skills and inner strength they need to succeed in life, all while forming a meaningful connection with the natural world and the majestic animals that are at the heart of our mission.
Horse powered reading program
Horse Powered Reading® integrates social-emotional learning with academics; thus allowing students see and experience reading with their entire mind, body and emotions by creating metaphors for the skills involved in reading.
Students interact with horses from the ground, while using toys and props to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills - phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension
Click the Learn More button to see our latest summer programs, day camps and 1:1 session information.
* Session goals vary depending upon the needs of the individual or group
Family/GROUP
Therapy Sessions
Family sessions at Major's Place are designed to strengthen connections, improve communication, and foster healing within families facing the challenges of stress, trauma, or life transitions.
Led by an experienced therapist, these sessions provide a supportive environment where family members can openly express their thoughts and feelings, gain a deeper understanding of each other’s experiences, and work through conflicts in a constructive way.
Whether addressing the impact of military service, first responder duties, or personal struggles, our family-centered approach helps build resilience, restore trust, and promote healthier relationships, creating a foundation for lasting emotional well-being.
DONATE TO OUR YOUTH PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Major's Place is a 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Donations are applied directly to our general and youth scholarship programs.