Jessica Klarholm hopes the horses at Real Life XL Skills have brought “blessings upon blessings” into her life, which is why she sought out a way to make the gift of horses available to more people.
She opened Real Life XL Skills, which offers equine-assisted learning at a site about five kilometres east of Bienfait, adjacent to Highway 18. They work with horses and people in a large outdoor riding arena, and they have an indoor barn classroom for when the weather doesn’t co-operate.
The company delivers skill development programs for personal and team growth. The programs are designed to fit a person’s individual life. When someone shows up and chooses to be engaged, Klarholm said they leave with better life skills like communication, boundaries, assertiveness, problem-solving, confidence and more.
“The extra cool part is that the horses are the ones teaching the humans. Not me,” said Klarholm. “And it’s because they’re prey animals. So they have strong instincts and they react to stimuli in the moment, which allows people to really see how they’re representing themselves, and what happens if they change something that they are doing or feeling, because the horse will then change as well.”
Programs are offered for males and females of all ages. They run adult skill development for those 18 and up, youth skills development for those eight to 18, and a pony playdate for children eight and under, which teaches safety, body language, grooming and leading, and ends with a craft or activity.
“We recently launched a program called the Family Herd Series, which is a five-session program that dives right into the connection, communication and teamwork skills that help build a strong family foundation.”
As a working mom with a family who also works shift work, Klarholm believes the skills in these programs are needed to lead healthy, satisfying lives, so she is working on a self-love series that she can’t wait to make available “for the wonderful women in this community.”
Four horses are active in Real Life XL Skills. Lizzie is a 26-year-old quarter horse mare who Klarholm describes as the tallest horse on site and possibly the wisest.
“Twenty-six horse years is equivalent to about 75 human years,” said Klarholm.
Katrina is a 20-year-old Welsh pony mare who stands eye level with most of the 10-year-old kids. She has what Klarholm described as a very sweet personality that allows people to gravitate towards her.
Gator and Sid are both miniature horses who are under 34 inches tall and are very popular with the little kids.
“Those two boys have a laid-back personality, and they’re just phenomenal with the little kids for the pony play days.”
Each of the horses has their own personality, their own background and their own teaching style.
Up to eight people can participate in a program at a time.
Klarholm’s background with horses dates back to the 1990s, when her parents brought home a little black Welsh pony for her and her sisters. His name was Nikki and he made such an impression that Klarholm never stopped being around horses.
“I have had the privilege of owning and knowing numerous great horses in the last two decades. I’m a proud 4-H and ECS Rodeo Club alumni. And fortunately for me, there is a strong horse community around Estevan, so I have had many lessons, clinics and experiences that keep my fire stoked, so to speak.
“And I have surrounded myself with top-notch horsemen and continually expand my knowledge of the horse, particularly their welfare, and then my skills as a handler, rider and owner.”
People who have gone through the Real Life XL Skills programs often don’t have experience with horses. Two weeks ago, Klarholm noted a little girl who was there fell in love with one of the miniature horses. But other people who come have reservations.
“Horses are big animals, and they’re not really well understood unless you’re already immersed in horse culture. The grooming of the horses is a big part of making a connection with them, and it’s the perfect way to work through any fears that new people have. At the beginning, I always love explaining the horse’s body language, because you can see the light bulbs going on in people’s minds as they realize horses communicate with us.”
Some people are surprised with all the learning involved, while others have had a hard time explaining how much it has helped with their personal growth.
“The horses enjoy working with the people, too,” she said.
The business opened in the spring of 2019, after Klarholm gained her certification, and she had her first clients that spring. It was shut down for a considerable amount of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and only reopened in June of this year.
Real Life XL Skills works with the weather in mind. When it’s hot outside, like it has been, they have a session in the morning and another in the evening, after it cools down.
The company has also partnered with the Estevan Exhibition Association so they are planning to offer programs throughout the winter at the association’s indoor arena in Estevan.
Klarholm believes this business is what she is called to do, and she looks forward to the impact she and the horses will have. Upgrades are happening to the barn and the outdoor arena to extend hours.
“This is what I will do for the rest of my life,” she said.
