Rancho Encino Life Skills
Veterans
Are you a veteran looking to join our program for FREE? Contact us today to find out how to take advantage of this opportunity.
Job Preparedness Boot Camp with Horses
Are you a non-profit organization or a company looking for innovative ways to help your clients or employees develop essential job skills? We understand the challenges you face when fostering effective communication and teamwork in the workplace. Our equine-assisted learning program offers a unique and impactful solution.
Our program goes beyond traditional training methods for nonprofits aiming to equip their clients with job-ready skills. By integrating equine-assisted learning, clients gain practical experience in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, etc. These skills are highly valued by employers and boost clients' confidence and readiness for the job market. Our program offers practical experiences that build confidence. The immediate feedback from working with horses helps participants refine their approaches in real time.
Effective communication and teamwork are crucial in today's fast-paced work environment. Our equine-assisted learning boot camps provide a hands-on approach to improving these vital skills. Participants engage in activities with horses that require clear communication, mutual trust, and cooperation, leading to a deeper understanding of group dynamics and individual strengths.
At Rancho Encino, we believe in the transformative power of equine-assisted learning. Our program is designed to address the specific needs of companies and nonprofits, providing a holistic approach to skill development. With our experienced team and the natural feedback provided by our horses, participants leave our boot camp with improved interpersonal skills and a renewed sense of purpose.
Partner with us to help your clients with the skills they need to succeed or to create a more harmonious and productive workplace. Let’s work together to build stronger teams and brighter futures.
Contact us today to learn more about our job preparedness boot camp and how we can tailor it to meet your organization's needs.
Job Preparedness Boot Camp
Each boot camp is tailored to your group’s specific needs, providing a valuable investment in your team’s growth and success. Contact us to customize today!
Equine-Assisted Learning
Your boot camp will include 2 sessions with our horses. Starting with an orientation on "horse communication" and then continuing with your horse in a NON-Riding format through research-based obstacles designed to help improve your communication, bring out personal strengths and deepen your understanding of group dynamics.
Catered Lunch and Intent Project
Enjoy lunch overlooking the pastures and learning about communication styles.
Complete your bootcamp and create your own "intent" keepsake. A wonderful way to remember the commitment you have made to yourself and your team.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
WARNING:
UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES
Meet our Facilitators & Teachers
Our horses are the teachers. Our facilitators are there to ensure a safe environment and a positive learning experience.
Owner/ Lead Equine Assisted Facilitator
Angela Cardenas
Angela formed Rancho Encino LLC with the idea of helping others while working with horses. She saw how horses helped her daughter, Katie, and wanted to share that experience with others. So in 2015, Rancho Encino Life Skills was formed, and today is helping youth, veterans, and job seeking young adults.
Director of Training/ Equine Assisted Facilitator
Katie Cardenas-Borrego
In 2020, Katie graduated from Baylor University and joined the family business. Together, she and Angela expanded their life skills program to more locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Katie's horses have positively impacted her life, and she is excited to share them with the RGV.
Sir Master Charles (Lex)
26 Yrs Old
American Paint Horse
Don't tell the rest, but Lex is the favorite child. At the height of his show career, he and Katie won many scholarships. Now, he is retired and an outstanding EAL teacher. He is our oldest teacher and the best at teaching life lessons.
Little Bird (Birdie)
14 Yrs Old
Grade Horse
Birdie is one of the newest additions to our herd. We adopted him from the Humane Society of North Texas. Birdie loves to be groomed. He often comes out in the first few classes to help students gain confidence and set boundaries. We think he is an excellent addition to our herd.
Premonition Picked Me (Flower)
13 Yrs Old
American Paint Horse
Angela raised Flower from a yearling. She was named after the skunk Character in Bambi. Bambi thought flower was beautiful, and so do we. She is one of our youngest horses in the program. We bring her in to work with our more advanced students. Flower will always be Angela's baby.
Aksarben Got No Fizz (Gil)
16 Yrs Old
Tennessee Walking Horse
Gil is one of our newest additions to the herd and one of our tallest horses! He comes to us from a local family that worked with him as a field trail horse. He is a young guy in an old man's body. Gil is great at teaching the importance of patience and helping our clients who are more timid around horses.
Other Romance (Crawl)
20 Yrs Old
American Paint Horse
Crawl is a World Champion and was the horse of the year in the Pinto Horse Association. Crawl was Katie's show horse and left us for a few years to finish his show career. He has come back to us to retire and work with our clients. He is one of our oldest horses and an easygoing guy, but dont let that fool you. He is an escape artist and will do anything to get a treat!
Apache
19 Yrs Old
Appaloosa
Apache is one of the newest additions to our herd. He came to us from a local family where the kids would love on him and ride him around bareback. He gives great lessons on how to trust. He previously lived at one of our other locations, but has made it to our Brownsville location. Apache is easygoing and loves to work with our clients.
Mamma Mia (Mia)
15 Yrs Old
Grade Pinto Horse
Mia is also a newer member of our herd. She comes to us from a local roper who would rope off of her. She gives good lessons on setting and respecting boundaries. She loves to work with our clients, but will set her boundaries. Mia previously lived at one of our other locations with Apache, but she has made her way to our Brownsville location.
RE Lazy by Design (Jorge)
7 Yrs Old
American Paint Horse
Jorge is Katie's current show horse, and was born and raised on our farm. We have had a fun time watching him grow up and teaching him how to be the best EAL horse we can have. He has recently started making some appearances in classes with our more experienced clients. Jorge teaches great lessons in empathy as he's blind in one eye. His limited disability doesn't keep him from helping those who need it.
In Loving Memory
"until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
-Anatole France
No Te Olvide (Patrick)
1997-2022
American Paint Horse
Patrick was Katie's first horse. Fun fact: he was the great-great grandson of the famous racehorse Secretatriat. Patrick was a sensitive guy and used his sensitive nature to teach our clients the importance of patience. Sadly Patty has crossed the rainbow bridge and is no longer with us. He was the horse that started it all and ignited our passion for horses. His treat loving, hay stealing, sweet and easygoing personality will be missed in the barn.
Zip Designed Me (Mimi)
2004-2025
American Paint Horse
Mimi was a World and Reserve World Champion. We thought she was the most beautiful mare in the world. Mimi was a tough horse to show as it was not her favorite thing to do. However, she LOVED showmanship and was most at peace when she was wearing her halter and chain. She found her true calling in our life skills classes. She loved being groomed and led around by our clients. She spent her last years in retirement and living her best life with her foals in our pasture. Mimi gifted us 3 beautiful babies who will carry on her legacy. Her zesty personality will be missed in the barn.
Thank you to our teachers
Warning:
UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES