EEE's After-School Equine Program "Regreso a la Montaña"

Montanita, Ecuador is a small beautiful beach town that has grown exponentially within the last decade. Due to its rapid growth, a large percentage of Montanita natives have abandoned traditional farming and fishing practices and instead seek employment at local bars and restaurants, or as alcohol vendors. The change has been so swift that it has left the children here without the memory of the former relationship between the natives, the land, and the animals--something that was once so precious. Through Ecuador Equine Experience, we seek to reestablish a relationship between Montanita's children and a more sustainable way of life--a life where humans, earth, and animals, are mutually respected and cared for.

We are using horses as a bridge for this mission. Three times a week we invite children from the local school to interact with EEE's horses and the land. The kids spend the first hour grooming, riding, and generally bonding with the horses, the following hour is dedicated to artistic expression with an underlying message on sustainability. We seek to further unite the community with the help of interns and volunteers with experience in animal sciences, communications/marketing, journalism, and art. Our website is currently under construction, please check out the previous post for more details on the internships. Warmly--EEE

“Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope.” 

― Toni Robinson

Juanita showing Palomo love during our equine therapy.

Following a didgeridoo lesson, we used the instrument for limbo
--the kids are really cracking up!

EEE's horse Palomo went to school for "Dia el Nino." 

Polen enjoying a ride around the yard!

Lesson in both art and sustainability. Soon
these planters will have pepper and beans sprouting.

A volunteer on a morning beach ride on one of EEE's mares, Amarilla. 
We're still trying to fatten her up; her last home had only the 
minimum in terms of nutrition.

The house! 5 minutes from the beach, inside of the bluff.

Montanita splendor!

A taste of the town--Montanita culture.