Horse Powered Reading®: learning literacy skills with horses
Equine-Assisted Literacy Tutoring
Horse Powered Reading® at Mahogany Bay Farm develops and improves children's literacy skills through equine-assisted learning and interactive reading-based games around the farm.
Our unique and engaging literacy tutoring program is designed for struggling readers in need of extra support, reluctant readers seeking confidence and motivation, or advanced readers seeking enrichment.
Learning Reading Skills
During our literacy tutoring sessions, learners interact with horses from the ground or on horseback while being immersed in multi-sensory and play-based games to improve and develop their reading skills.
Tutoring sessions are designed for Pre-K through 2nd graders and focuses on learning the five critical reading skills: phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
Benefits of Equine-Assisted Learning
Research has shown that equine-assisted learning programs significantly improve communication, self-esteem, empathy, tolerance for stress, problem-solving skills, responsibility, teamwork, leadership skills, trust and interpersonal relationships.
Horse Powered Reading® was created by Literacy Education Professor, Dr. Michelle Pickel, and integrates social-emotional learning with academics. When horses and literacy learning are combined, an increase in confidence and motivation is seen in young readers.
Our equine-assisted reading tutoring program is aligned with the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy.
Literacy Tutoring Programs
Horse Powered Reading®
This unmounted immersive and fun 1 hour program meets once a week for 5 weeks and is designed for learners in K-2nd grade. This program is limited to 4 learners.
What to Wear: Jeans or leggings (snow pants in winter) and boots with a heel. Please have your child bring a water bottle and dress for the Maine weather.
Spring Session 1 Dates: (Fridays 4-5pm)
3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11 & 4/18
Just for Homeschool Students: (Tuesdays 1-2pm)
3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8 & 4/15
Spring Session 2 Dates: TBD
Cost for the program (5 weeks) is $125.
Email Erin at MahoganyBayFarm@gmail.com to sign up.
Leadline Readers
This private 1 hour program meets once a week for 5 weeks and is designed for learners in K-2nd grade who will horseback ride while learning and developing their reading skills.
What to Wear: Jeans or leggings (snow pants in winter) and boots with a heel. Please have your child bring a water bottle and dress for the Maine weather.
Spring Session 1 Dates: Various days & times starting week of March 17th. Email Erin for details!
Spring Session 2 Dates: Various days & times starting week of April 28th. Email Erin for details!
Cost for the program (5 weeks) is $350.
Email Erin at MahoganyBayFarm@gmail.com to sign up.
Alphabet Academy
Alphabet Academy is designed for rising Pre-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarteners who are learning or need to learn the alphabet letters (upper and lower case) and the letter sounds (phonemes).
This unmounted program meets once a week for 5 weeks and focuses on different letters each week through games, activities and read alouds with the horses and farm animals. It's limited to 4 learners per session.
What to Wear: Jeans or leggings (snow pants in winter) and boots with a heel. Please have your child bring a water bottle and dress for the Maine weather.
Spring Session 1 Dates : (Mondays 4-5pm)
3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7 & 4/14
Just for Homeschool Students: (Thursdays 1-2pm)
3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10 & 4/17
Spring Session 2 Dates: TBD
Cost for the program (5 weeks) is $125.
Email Erin at MahoganyBayFarm@gmail.com to sign up.
Meet the Tutor
Erin Sheffer, M.Ed
Owner/Director of Riding & Educational Programs at Mahogany Bay Farm
Erin is a certified Horse Powered Reading® Facilitator, a certified K-12 Teacher, and holds a Master's Degree in Education.