Dunrovin Ranch believes that continual learning is essential for a happy, productive life; and we strive to incorporate learning opportunities in all that we do. Our programs focus less on traditional classroom education and more on creating programs that promote learning through hands-on experiences and mutual discovery. We are committed to bringing people, animals, nature, and art together to learn with and from each other. We strive to be a community outdoor learning center where people from wide, diverse backgrounds come together to share information, explore new ideas and concepts, and encourage each other to grow individually and as a community. Our animals and nature are integral parts of that community – they both have much to teach us.

Dunrovin Ranch expresses its commitment to learning through offering educational programs developed by us and by providing a venue to others to share their interests and knowledge. Please read about what we have to offer – please also think about what you might bring to Dunrovin and share your unique skills and experiences with us.

Horses can teach us a lot – about ourselves, about the world around us, and about each other. Interacting with horses requires people to be in the moment, mindful of their surroundings, and focused. They require us to be deliberate in our actions, and to step outside ourselves in order to better understand and communicate with them.

Dunrovin Ranch has developed leadership training programs that capitalize on the unique station that horses play in the human world and on the need for cooperation to successfully navigate a river in a canoe. Taking people out of their usual elements and challenging them with unfamiliar situations that require mental, emotional, and physical focus and control, cooperation with others, and introspection can be a powerful tool in learning leadership and communication skills.  

1. Leading the heard - Leadership Training with Horses

Horses are unique among domesticated animals. They are one of few prey animals with which humans establish meaningful relationships. We, as humans, are predators and see the world through the eyes of the hunter; horses, as prey, see the world through the eyes of the hunted. This fundamental and profound difference in world views requires both species – humans and horses – to step outside themselves in order to establish a meaningful relationship.

Prey animals have eyes on the sides of their head that move independently. This enables them to see in nearly every direction and to scan their environment for any movement that may signal a predator. Predators’ eyes are closer together, enabling them to focus and “lock onto” a vulnerable prey. Prey approach a new area, or resource such as a watering hole, looking in every direction with great trepidation. They are weary of the possibility of predators. Predators approach in a straight line with their eyes clearly focused on the desired object; they do not worry about the presence of prey.

Horses’ natural sensitivity to their environment enables them to give us feedback on our own behavior. They can “read” our emotions and intentions – our fear, anger, trust, or confidence; and they react accordingly. Their reactions are neither subtle nor delayed, but clear and immediate. Neither are horses’ reactions affected by differences among us. Differences that may have great meaning to us in our world, such as size, shape, age, gender, or position, mean nothing to them. We are all simply potential predators to them.

Dunrovin Ranch’s Leading the Herd leadership program uses horses’ indiscriminate sensitivity to humans to examine our ways of leading and communicating. Program participants learn to become more effective leaders in the human world by learning to effectively communicate and lead horses. The program consists of a number of “hands-on” exercises and activities with horses that illustrate key aspects of effective leadership in both the human and horse worlds. 

Dunrovin Ranch has conducted Leading the Herd programs since summer of 2008 for groups that include:

Leading the Herd Sessions – All sessions require a minimum of 10 participants

Full Day includes 8 – 9 hours instruction/activities, morning & afternoon snacks, and lunch

Part Day includes4-5  hours instruction/activities, snacks, and lunch

2. Going with the flow - Team Building through Canoeing

Canoeing the Bitterroot River is a great way to foster coordination and cooperation among boat mates. While the river presents some challenges, it is easy enough that beginners with a minimum of instruction can successfully navigate any challenges they encounter. Dunrovin Ranch’s canoeing expert, Derek Smith, has years of experience instructing adults and children in the fine art of canoeing. He not only uses the natural flow of the river to challenge participants, but he is a master at developing a wide variety of canoeing and kayaking games that require team work and focus. Activities can include a 3 – 4 hour river float from Chief Looking Glass to Dunrovin, or a shorter session of canoe games in the river right at Dunrovin.

Taking employees out of their normal hierarchy and matching them with fellow employees to successful complete a physical challenge can serve to breakdown.

Going with the Flow Sessions - All sessions require a minimum of 4 participants

Part Day Team Building Canoe Trip includes 4 - 5 hours trip with shuttle to put in at Chief Looking Glass, instruction, and snacks.

Part Day Canoe Games at Dunrovin includes 2-3 hours of instruction and game

 

Thomas Merton’s famous quote that “art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time” applies as much to nature as it does to art.  The intersection of art with nature or nature with art is seamless – one informs the other and both speak to our hearts, minds, senses, and souls. Dunrovin strives to encourage that intersection by opening up Dunrovin Ranch, our activities, and our expeditions to the arts in all forms. Our long term vision for Dunrovin’s Art in Nature – Nature in Art Program includes: