West Oak High pairs ag and special‑needs classes for equine therapy, invites public to May 17 horse show

West Oak High School staff described Monday night how their agriculture equine class partners with the school’s functional and transitional classes to offer hands‑on farm and equine experiences for students with disabilities.

Agriculture teacher Sarah Hayes said the spring program pairs ag students with functional needs students to build relationships, teach livestock handling and, when students are ready, provide supervised riding. Hayes said the program begins with trust‑building games, moves to barn work and culminates with riding activities that promote balance, coordination and confidence. Students who do not choose to ride may lead animals instead.

Hayes invited the public to the program’s annual horse show at 10 a.m. on May 17 at the Michael Lehi Memorial Arena, where students will showcase skills learned during the semester. She said ag students are trained as “sidewalkers” and leaders to keep riders safe and that the program includes a spring “best horse show ever.”

Branden (Braden) and Paige, students in the program, spoke briefly about their enjoyment and progress; staff noted individual gains such as a student who recently rode independently after years of work. West Oak principal and staff members said the program also supports life skills through a student‑run bakery called Exceptional Needs, which teaches recipe reading, measuring, math and delivery skills.

The board thanked teachers and students for the presentation and accepted small gifts from the program. No formal board action was required.