Programs and Process
Upper Canyon Outreach has developed and continues to expand its curriculum dedicated to help active military, Veterans and select individuals from Montana heal psychological and emotional wounds through the development of horsemanship skills.
Phase I: Got Your 6 Horsemanship
The practical approach of the Got Your 6 class is to develop an authentic working relationship with a horse through natural horsemanship skills to help participants develop coping skills and manage stress. Building a relationship with a prey animal requires the development of self-awareness, authenticity and congruency – skills that go well beyond horsemanship.
In each of the informational and practical development sessions throughout the three-day course, participants gain an understanding of how horsemanship leadership applies to the development of tangible approaches to overall wellness.
This deeper goal applies not only to the horse-participant relationship, but more importantly, to relationships participants build with themselves, fellow participants and the outside world. To bring these realizations into better focus, all sessions end with a debrief to hear, receive and give feedback on the day’s activities and its learning objectives. Participants are invited to share how the skills they have gained can translate to other areas of their lives such as relationships, family and work.
View more about Got Your 6 Phase I:
Apply for Got Your 6 Memorial Day weekend (22-26 May 2026):
Apply for Got Your 6 Horsemanship (23-27 August):
Follow-Up Phase I Programming
To assure that Upper Canyon Outreach and the Got Your 6 course continues to support participants, we have created a formal and informal check-in process. Participants have access to a formal monthly check-in with a mentor – usually a past participant in the Got Your 6 program who has been trained as a mentor. During these calls, participants can address questions, concerns and openly discuss challenges, failures and successes that have occurred as they return to their careers and lives.
Cassie Ubaldo, the Got Your 6 course founder and developer, also conducts regular ongoing contact with participants and they have access to check in with her on an as-needed basis.
Also, new to the Got Your 6 curriculum this season, is the Respite program at the Upper Canyon Outfitters facilities. UC Outreach’s Respite program has been envisioned as a three- or four-day break from the unresolved challenges of the lives and careers of past participants. It will help them reacquaint themselves with, practice and hone the skills they initially learned in the Got Your 6 program. It also gives them an outlet to directly confront and address their issues and develop approaches for coping.
TESTIMONIAL
Phase II: Got Your 6 Horsemanship Program Extensions
The Got Your 6 Horsemanship Phase Two program builds on the foundation of Phase I Got Your 6 Horsemanship program to refine participants’ abilities to navigate challenges with clarity, trust and purpose. It is designed to empower active-duty service members and Veterans with advanced skills in emotional resilience, intentional leadership, and deepened horsemanship. One night of each session is spent camping – this tech-free evening allows for deeper connection and processing of the program’s experiences.
Participants – each a graduate of the Phase I Got Your 6 program, will delve deeper into the principles of emotional regulation, connection and applied horsemanship. Each groundwork and riding exercise is designed to cultivate self-awareness, trust, and leadership under pressure. Group sessions will be facilitated to fully integrate learning as individuals and as a team.
Apply for Got Your 6 Phase II:
Follow-Up Phase II Programming
Upon completion of the Phase II course, Upper Canyon Outreach continues to support participants through a formal and informal check-in process – with both mentors and Cassie Ubaldo. In addition to this check-in process, Phase II participants have also created a participant network and regular chat – both in text and live phone or video conferencing.
Finally, Upper Canyon Outreach has also created a Mentor Development program, building on the passions and skills of past Phase I and II graduates. Mentors are provided with tools and skills to be a resource to other participants as they navigate their lives and careers with the skills they acquired in the courses. Mentors serve as sounding boards and resources for accessing professional expertise as needed. They are available first to listen and provide encouragement, but also to recognize when to raise a flag for expertise beyond their abilities.
TESTIMONIAL
Impacting Lives
We are grateful for the support and donations provided by our community. As a result, we are able to offer our services and make an impact on the lives of our participants and their support circles.
To find out how you can support us and our efforts, open the link below or contact Britta Vivaldi.