Do you want to learn about and work with horses? This program is for you.
Choose a one, two, or three month gap program where you will learn how to care for and work with horses through hands-on experience.
Engage with our horses and mini horses on our 40-acre horse farm. Build essential daily skills and practice them until you are confident and proficient. The program develops practical abilities that support future work and life goals.
What You Will Learn
This program introduces the fundamentals of reading equine communication while you work with horses. You will gain experience in groundwork, riding, and training when you are ready, along with daily animal care on the farm.
The Horses and Humans Program at Gateways to Transformation teaches basic to advanced horsemanship and training skills as practiced at our center. Each participant works with horses five days per week, learning how to interpret behavior and personalities and how to handle a horse safely for both you and the animal. Activities include:
- Cleaning barns and feeding
- Grooming and exercising
- Riding and training
- Cart work with mini horses when appropriate
Your experience is tailored to your skill level and background.
All participants must carry their own insurance and sign our farm waiver, acknowledging responsibility for personal safety during barn work, groundwork, and potential riding.
General Goals
This gap program is personalized. Participants arrive with different skills and goals. Everyone is exposed to all areas of learning available here: refining existing abilities, applying them in new ways, and acquiring new skills.
Training Philosophy
We practice natural horsemanship. We work with horses as partners and never teach methods that harm them. Our approach makes it easier for the horse to do what the trainer asks and harder to do what is not desired. You will learn how horses interact naturally and how to collaborate safely and respectfully to reach shared goals.
Training Curriculum
Training uses Gateways to Transformation Farm and Retreat Center and Phoenix Rising Program methods, with emphasis on natural horsemanship: understanding what your horse communicates, responding clearly, and building a cooperative team.
- Safe barn work from the ground up
- Natural horsemanship groundwork
- Natural horsemanship riding (if appropriate)
- Natural horsemanship training techniques
- Equine-assisted coaching and psychotherapy sessions with a potential certificate in equine-assisted learning for coaching
- Bombproofing your horse training techniques
- Introduction to equine coaching methods (optional)
Riding Opportunities
Depending on proficiency, participants may ride in a large arena, round pen, and on property trails when appropriate.
Bringing Your Own Horse
You may bring your own horse for an additional $300.00 per month. Participants are responsible for full care and any additional costs. Horses with aggression issues are not accepted.
Onsite resources include seven Arabian horses and four mini horses for learning, along with available barn stalls for those who bring a horse.
Living at the Gateways to Transformation Retreat Center
Gap Year Participants live onsite in shared houses with private rooms, internet access, full kitchens, and washer/dryers. Participants keep their rooms and shared spaces clean. Separate houses are available for men and women.
At the end of each program, participants receive a certificate of completion reflecting their progress and participation in the Horses and Humans Gap Year Program.
Training Resources
Natural horsemanship is a relationship-based method that is distinct from the Parelli system, though we incorporate similar principles and learning materials. This holistic approach fosters communication and cooperation through understanding herd behavior. The program does not issue Parelli certification. You will gain foundational skills for safe, mindful horsemanship.
- Parelli Training Videos 1 and 2
- Parelli Savvy Series Levels 2, 3, and 4
- Parelli Horsenality video
- Bombproof Your Horse – Sgt. Rick Pelicano
- America’s Long-Distance Challenge – Karen Paulo
- Imprint Training – Robert M. Miller, DVM
- Starting and Running Your Own Horse Business – Mary Ashby McDonald
- Western Training Theory and Practice – Jack Brainard
- Starting Colts – Mike Eval
- Western Practice Lessons – Charlene Strickland
- Head to Toe Horsemanship – Lynn Palmer
Volunteer Opportunities
While in the program, you may shadow or volunteer with:
- A blacksmith
- A large-animal veterinarian
- Show and breeding stables
- Racing stables
- Horse rescues
- Horse therapy programs
Program Cost
$6,000 per month covers the program and includes supportive housing and healthy food.
Bringing your own horse adds $300.00 per month.
Billing is monthly, so you can extend your stay if you choose to.
Contact
Alisha Adrian, MS, LPC, TP, EAP/EAL
Gateways to Transformation, LLC
4979 4200 Road, Crawford, CO 81415
Email: gatewaystotransformation@gmail.com
Phone: (303) 859-7385
Anyone who loves horses and wants to deepen their understanding of them, as well as the many facets of the horse world, will benefit from this program.