Moreno Valley Angels INC

The Eagle Nest Horse Program is applying for the New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund to support equine care costs, as well as the one-time purchase of essential feeding supplies, tack, and tools for small upkeep projects. These funds will directly ensure the program can operate sustainably while maintaining safe, high-quality learning experiences for students. The primary goal of the Eagle Nest Horse Program is to provide students with equitable access to outdoor equine education and horsemanship experiences that may otherwise be inaccessible due to financial and geographic barriers. Horses are inherently expensive to care for and ride, and a majority of our students come from low-income families. Additionally, rural isolation in Northern New Mexico limits opportunities to access trained instructors, quality horses, and safe facilities. This program removes those barriers, offering a no-cost, school-based opportunity for students to engage in both mounted and unmounted equestrian activities. Students participate in weekly 50-minute classes during physical education, guided by three volunteer equine instructors who contribute over 50 combined hours per week. Classes are divided into two components: the first 15 minutes focus on equine knowledge, covering topics such as horse breeds, anatomy, colors, nutrition, health care, grooming tools, tack, safety, and equine career pathways. The remaining 35 minutes are devoted to hands-on equine activities. Mounted skills include walking, trotting, loping, steering, and riding patterns, while unmounted skills include catching, haltering, leading, lunging, grooming, and tacking up. Students develop confidence, competence, and independence in horsemanship, gaining both practical skills and a deep understanding of animal care. The program serves approximately 80 students aged 5–14 at Eagle Nest Elementary during the school year, providing a structured, safe, and consistent outdoor learning experience. As a school-based program, it engages the broader rural community of Colfax County, and with additional funding, a no-cost summer program could extend access to students from neighboring counties who can secure transportation. The summer program would provide a no-cost service for 20+ children consisting of two 4-week sessions, with two-hour classes held twice a week for a total of 4 hours per week. The Eagle Nest Horse Program fosters multiple positive outcomes. Students gain physical literacy, responsibility, teamwork, and social-emotional skills through structured equestrian activities. They build confidence while learning to care for and respect animals, connecting with the outdoors in ways not often available in rural or underserved communities. Longer-term, the program promotes environmental stewardship, awareness of equine-related career pathways, and lifelong engagement with outdoor learning. Through the support of the Outdoor Equity Fund, the Eagle Nest Horse Program will continue its mission to remove economic and geographic barriers, ensuring that all students—regardless of socioeconomic status—have the opportunity to experience transformative outdoor education through horsemanship.