Welcome to HaystackHorses
Where Horses, Wellness & Mentorship Help Youth Grow
HaystackHorses creates youth-centered ranch experiences that combine equine engagement, wellness, mentorship, and hands-on learning in a safe and supportive environment.
Through mounted and unmounted experiences, youth build confidence, leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and life skills while exploring equine, agricultural, health, and career pathways.
We don't just teach about horses—we use the ranch experience to help young people learn, connect, lead, and grow.
Who We Are
HaystackHorses is a youth-focused organization providing equine-centered ranch experiences that integrate experiential learning, wellness, mentorship, and youth development.
We create opportunities for young people—especially those with limited exposure to equine and agricultural environments—to engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that build confidence, leadership, life skills, and connection beyond the traditional classroom.
Our programs create space for youth to learn, connect, lead, and grow through meaningful interactions with horses, mentors, and the ranch environment.
Our Approach
Our programming is rooted in:
Experiential Learning – Youth learn by doing through hands-on ranch and equine experiences.
Safety & Support – Activities are thoughtfully designed, supervised, and delivered in an environment that prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of youth.
Youth Development – Building confidence, communication, leadership, responsibility, resilience, and adaptability.
Wellness – Creating opportunities for connection, mindfulness, emotional well-being, and healthy personal development.
Mentorship – Connecting youth with supportive adults and positive role models who encourage growth, leadership, and exploration.
Access & Exposure – Introducing youth to new environments, experiences, and pathways in equine, agriculture, wellness, and related careers.
Who We Serve
We partner with:
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Schools and school districts
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Nonprofit organizations
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Youth development programs
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Community-based organizations
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Families and community groups
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Organizations seeking youth wellness, mentorship, and equine experiences
Our programs can be tailored to meet the needs, age, experience level, and goals of each group.
What We Offer
Equine & Ranch Experiences
Youth participate in structured, hands-on experiences that may include:
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Mounted and unmounted equine experiences
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Horse care, grooming, and ranch activities
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Basic horse anatomy and equine education
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Introduction to equine equipment and disciplines
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Horse-guided leadership and team-building activities
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Wellness and connection activities
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Mentorship and youth development
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Career exploration in equine, agriculture, wellness, and related fields
Each experience is intentionally designed to promote confidence, communication, leadership, connection, and personal growth.
Why HaystackHorses
Safe. Supportive. Purposeful.
Mounted & Unmounted Experiences
Opportunities to engage with horses both in and out of the saddle, based on the program and participant needs.
Supervised & Guided
Programs are structured and led by trained professionals with a focus on safety, support, and meaningful youth engagement.
Youth-Centered
Designed to meet young people where they are and support their social, emotional, personal, and leadership development.
Wellness & Mentorship
Creating opportunities for youth to build confidence, develop healthy connections, and learn from positive role models.
Experiential Learning
Hands-on experiences that make learning engaging, relevant, and memorable.
Pathways & Possibilities
Exposure to equine, agricultural, wellness, leadership, and career opportunities that youth may not otherwise encounter.
Book Your Spot
Meet Our Founder
Kyla Sinegal
CEO & Founder, HH Trainer
Kyla Sinegal is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HaystackHorses, an equine-based youth development organization rooted in mentorship, community partnership, and inclusive access to horsemanship. A native of Oakland, California, Sinegal brings more than a decade of leadership experience across public administration, human resources, nonprofit management, and equity-centered program development.
Sinegal's connection to horsemanship spans her lifetime. Raised in a family deeply connected to riding and ranch culture, she honed her training skills at the Oakland City Stables, where Sinegal's Father, Clint Sinegal boarded their family horses, Little Doc and Swift City Slicker aka Slick. In 1995, Sinegal and Little Doc earned 1st place at the Bill Pickett Rodeo in Castro Valley, California—a milestone that strengthened her dedication to equine education and community impact. Her early volunteer work with the Wildcat Canyon Ranch Youth Program shaped her understanding of how equine mentorship can transform young lives.
Sinegal holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from California State University, East Bay, and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies from Chabot College. Her professional career includes executive and consulting roles in the nonprofit and public sectors, with expertise in organizational development, equity and inclusion initiatives, workforce planning, and strategic leadership. She also serves as a public education leader, contributing to policy development, governance, and community advocacy.
Grounded in her commitment to equity and youth empowerment, Sinegal established HaystackHorses to create accessible pathways for young people to build confidence, discipline, and connection through horsemanship. Under her leadership, the organization partners with families, schools, and community stakeholders to provide culturally responsive equine programming that honors tradition while fostering growth and resilience.
Sinegal is widely recognized for her community-centered leadership, her dedication to expanding opportunities for underserved youth, and her vision for leveraging the transformative power of the horse–human bond to strengthen the next generation.
Leadership & Community
San Lorenzo USD Trustee
As a Trustee for the San Lorenzo Unified School District, I champion equity and student success—values that also guide the mission of HaystackHorses.
CABSE Board Governor
As an Advisory Board Governor of the California Association of Black School Educators, I am committed to advancing equity, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities for all students. HaystackHorses embodies this same vision, providing youth with transformative equine experiences that foster confidence, growth, and lasting success.