Gary Kimbrough runs our coaching practice, specializing in Equine Training , Pastoral Counseling, and Family work
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Parenting From the BarnThe most amazing thing about horses is their willingness and capacity to work with humans. The equine world is an intricately designed organizational culture that we are welcomed into, and where we can actively practice the process of change. Horses have historically been involved in our development. Human cultures throughout the world have accepted the horse as they gave us safe passage. The journey may have been to a promised land, a spiritual experience, exploration and conquest, or safely home. These animals and their quiet solidarity can still help us journey through life with safe passage. We no longer need them as beasts of burden but they have come into their own new world as teachers and mentors to many people. Parenting is just one of the human roles that these equine mentors can help us with. In the Parenting From the Barn Program, parents meet with their equine mentors and actually experience their own parenting style through interaction with the horses. There is the hope that through education and discussion, parents will begin to implement new behaviors when dealing with their children. Having children present in these group settings would mean that parents could not attempt new behavior patterns without upsetting, the sometimes fragile system of family functioning. Our equine mentors effectively role-play children and allow parents to practice, without jeopardizing family patterns and parental authority. Parenting From the Barn is offered at our ranch, Deer Ridge, as both a weekend retreat/workshop and an ongoing weekly hour long session for approximately 10 weeks. Parents who choose to spend a weekend at Deer Ridge can stay in the rustic, but cozy, cabin located next door to the ranch or can opt for the local bed and breakfast located very close by in the city of Dallas. |
