CHILD Horse Classes
Early Intervention & Child Development Program (Ages 0–4)
PonyUp4Kids Foundation is expanding access to early childhood programming through a new pilot program designed specifically for children ages 0–4, a critical window for early intervention and child development.
This innovative program blends indoor and outdoor pony play areas with hands-on learning, sensory exploration, and gentle equine interaction to support developmental milestones in a safe, nurturing, and non-clinical environment. Guided activities encourage sensory integration, emotional regulation, motor development, early communication, and social engagement—while fostering empathy, curiosity, and confidence.
Children learn through touch, movement, sound, and connection, engaging in age-appropriate pony experiences such as grooming with soft brushes, guided lead-line walks, nature-based sensory stations, and imaginative play. Parents and caregivers are active participants, strengthening bonds and gaining tools they can carry into everyday life.
By introducing humane education and equine-assisted experiences early, PonyUp4Kids Foundation creates meaningful opportunities for early intervention, developmental support, and family connection—laying the groundwork for lifelong learning, emotional resilience, and respect for animals.
No prior horse experience required. Just bring curiosity and a sense of adventure!
Spots are limited—sign up today and let the learning begin, one hoofbeat at a time.
Children 5-15yrs
Put the books down and join us for a fun, interactive equine-assisted Early Intervention & Child Development learning experience designed to inspire young minds through humane education and hands-on horsemanship. In these special classes, children and families engage in age-appropriate activities that support emotional, social, sensory, and physical development while learning the basics of horse care, communication, and teamwork—building confidence, self-regulation, and body awareness along the way
This program aligns with New York State Education Law § 809, which mandates instruction on the humane treatment and care of animals. Through direct, supervised interaction with our rescued horses, participants experience empathy, responsibility, and trust in a safe, inclusive, non-clinical environment—culminating in a confidence-building obstacle challenge that reinforces growth, connection, and a lifelong respect for animals.
No prior horse experience required. Just bring curiosity and a sense of adventure!
Spots are limited—sign up today and let the learning begin, one hoofbeat at a time.
DONATE TO THE CHILDREN
Your generous donation will eliminate financial barriers for children and their families.
Sample School Assembly: Horses & Humane Education ExperienCE
Objective:
Bring the New York State-mandated humane education curriculum to life with an unforgettable day where students experience the benefits of equine care, compassion, and responsibility firsthand.
School Program Outline
1. Assembly Kick-Off (30 minutes)
- Introduction to Humane Treatment and Equine Care
- An experienced horse handler and representative from PonyUp4Kids opens the assembly, sharing the importance of humane treatment of animals and how horses fit into our natural ecosystem.
- Students learn how caring for animals teaches responsibility, empathy, and respect for all living beings.
2. Meet the Horse or Pony (45 minutes)
- Up Close with a Special Guest Horse or Pony
- Students gather outside or in the gymnasium to meet the visiting horse or pony. They learn basic facts about the animal, from its diet and care needs to how horses communicate through body language.
- Handlers demonstrate grooming and explain how proper care impacts the horse’s health and happiness.
3. Interactive Stations (1 hour)
- Students rotate through activity stations, each designed to teach a different aspect of humane education:
- Station 1: Responsibility in Action - Students observe or participate in brushing and grooming the horse, learning how these small acts contribute to the animal’s well-being.
- Station 2: Understanding Equine Communication - Handlers discuss and demonstrate horse body language, showing students how horses express comfort, discomfort, and trust.
- Station 3: What Horses Teach Us - Through hands-on demonstrations, students discover how caring for animals fosters patience, empathy, and resilience.
4. Reflection & Q&A (30 minutes)
- Wrap-Up Discussion and Student Reflections
- Students share what they learned about humane treatment and animal responsibility.
- Q&A session with the handlers and PonyUp4Kids representatives allows students to explore more about horses and their role in animal welfare.
- Students are invited to share how they felt interacting with the horse and how it may change the way they see animals in everyday life.
School Program Benefits
This assembly provides an immersive experience that supports New York State Education Law §809, which emphasizes humane treatment of animals as part of the elementary curriculum. By seeing a horse up close and learning about its needs, students gain practical lessons in compassion, empathy, and responsibility that will stay with them for years to come.
To bring this program to your school or learn more about humane education, visit PonyUp4Kids.com or send an email to PonyUpforKids@gmail.com
Earn Book Bucks - Read Across America
Growing Children with Equine Assisted Activities
PonyUp4Kids is all about creating transformative experiences for children to grow with equine assisted activities. Children can EARN BOOK BUCKS by reading to the horses and ponies on the farm.
Reading to Horses and Ponies is Great for Kids and Their Equine Friends!
Reading aloud to horses and ponies is a unique and heartwarming activity that benefits children and their equine companions in so many ways!
- Boosts Confidence: Reading to horses provides kids with a judgment-free audience. The calm and attentive presence of a horse helps children feel at ease, encouraging them to read aloud without fear of criticism.
- Enhances Literacy Skills: Regular practice reading out loud improves fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Pairing it with time spent in a barn or pasture makes learning even more enjoyable!
- Encourages Empathy and Connection: Horses are incredibly sensitive animals. As kids read to them, they learn to observe and interpret their horse's reactions, fostering a deeper bond and understanding of their feelings.
- Provides a Calming Environment: The rhythmic sound of a child’s voice can have a soothing effect on horses and ponies, while being around these gentle animals helps children relax and focus, making the experience therapeutic for both.
- Promotes Responsibility: Incorporating reading into barn time teaches kids the value of multi-tasking care and fun—spending quality time with their horse while also building a skill.
This wholesome activity nurtures both young readers and their four-legged friends.
Ready to bring a pony to your school? Contact PonyUp4Kids Foundation
Our Partners
Discover the Healing Power of Horses
At PonyUp4Kids, horses aren’t just saved — they become partners in healing. Our programs invite children, teens, adults, survivors of abuse & trauma, people in recovery, veterans & their families and individuals with special needs to experience the joy, strength, and comfort these horses bring. By signing up, you’ll step into a supportive community where every hoofbeat helps hearts grow stronger. Participation is open now — call or register today to begin your journey.