Horses Teaching Math?

• Have you seen the kid who sits in his seat at school waiting for school to be over? You ask what his favorite subject is, and he answers “Nap” or “Recess”. Why has this student checked out of the learning process? Will he be another one who drops out as soon as he is old enough and be unproductive in society or have a mediocre job that won’t support his future family? Do these questions disturb you? They should. You see, the federal government decided the educational system needed reform in 1982. Their studies showed that only one in five 17 year-olds can write a persuasive essay, only one-third can solve a mathematical problem requiring several steps, and 13% are functionally illiterate. So in 1990, the Secretary of Education released the results of two nationwide tests that were given in Reading and Writing. The Secretary remarked that the reading and writing skills of children in the public school are “dreadfully inadequate” despite a decade of “education reforms”. The NAEP report found that 58% of seventeen year-olds cannot understand a twelfth-grade textbook or comprehend many articles in the Wall Street Journal. 95% of them do not have the reading skills to understand a college level textbook. 42% of thirteen year olds cannot read at the eighth grade level. Some states reported in 2006 that as high as 80% of eighth graders are not proficient at reading, math, and science. A barn that provides equine facilitated learning noticed this, and developed a program that takes these disengaged learners to the barn. Yes, academic standards can be met by taking students who learn differently and incorporating multiple learning styles into a lesson, allowing trial and error, and using horses. This program was so successful that the first school contract was for $5000; but, the next one was for much more! The schools have been using this in the Indianapolis area for four years. The report cards are better and the drop-out rate is lower. This program is now being taught to others and duplicated in many states. Pillar Ranch’s program director, Royce Gomez, has taken this course and brought back this knowledge to Colorado, hoping that the local schools take notice of a new, more effective way of learning. Experiential learning addresses the topic in several ways that can reach the non-auditory, rote learner or the child with autism that needs hands-on activities. The horse brings a non-threatening way of challenging the students. At Pillar Ranch, our learning philosophy is:

• Students are responsible for their actions. If they are not acting appropriately, they are asked to explain their behavior and make a better choice.
• Mistakes are wonderful teaching moments. They are opportunities to learn.
• Pillar Ranch’s favorite saying is “Don’t tell me what you can’t do; show me what you can do. Many students are frustrated when they first hear this; but, when they are successful, the rewards are great.
• Students are better learners when they are having fun and in a safe, organized environment. Pillar Ranch provides structure; but, lets students be creative.
• Listening is a powerful tool. Most students just want to tell their story to someone that is non-judgmental (like a horse).
• Have fun with the students; but, demand their best—their learning is more valuable through hard work.
• It’s OK to be afraid of something; but, you still have to try.
• Take pride in what you do and always achieve your personal best.

We feel with these philosophies in place, a student wants to learn. This model has been successful for over four years. My hope is that many Colorado schools will try this and be “wowed” at the results! Wouldn’t it be awesome to see a picture of a 17-year old, who months earlier was expelled because of bad behavior (the result of not wanting to be at school), excited to go to school and learn every day, write a college level paper, know his organs and their functions, and balance his checkbook, and graduate on the honor roll? Most students are capable of much more than their grades show, and can accomplish all of this. But, as teachers, school systems, and administrators, it’s our job to find a way to engage them in the learning process. If our current system has been failing since 1982, does it make sense to keep pouring money in the same methods or should we let a herd of horses give it a try?
Written by Royce Gomez, owner of Pillar Ranch and teacher of two children for the past 16 years. Royce Gomez resides in Colorado with her family and her four horses.