Emerge Equine
  • Equine Assisted Learning
  • Services
    • Personal Development & Support Programs
      • Trail of the Heart
      • Let Your Light Shine (Adults)
      • Let Your Light Shine (Teens)
      • Private EAL Sessions
      • Custom Programs
      • Personal Retreats & Workshops
        • Let Your Light Shine Workshop
        • Teen Empowerment Workshop
      • Corporate & Team Building Workshops
    • Horse Riding Programs
      • Weekend Horse Riding Group
      • Kids Summer Weekly Riding
      • Kids After School Riding Group
      • Teen Weekly Riding Group
      • Adult Weekly Riding Group
      • Adult Membership
      • Home School Kids Horse Program
      • Private Horseback Riding Sessions
      • Mountain Adventure Ride
    • Special Events & Fun Activities
      • Summer Solstice Paint Night
      • Wednesday Wellness
      • Sleigh & Wagon Rides
      • Couples Date Experience
    • Training & Mentorship Opportunities
      • EAL Assistant Certification Program
      • Emerge Equine Mentorship Program
      • Horsemanship Mentoring
      • Horse Driving Clinic
  • About us
    • Meet the Horses
      • Heavenly Horses
    • Meet the People
    • Legacy Ranch
    • Gallery
  • Connect with us
  • Stories & Articles
    • Stories of Success
    • Informative
    • Horse Stories
    • Healing Stories
    • Client Testimonials
  • Equine Assisted Learning
  • Services
    • Personal Development & Support Programs
      • Trail of the Heart
      • Let Your Light Shine (Adults)
      • Let Your Light Shine (Teens)
      • Private EAL Sessions
      • Custom Programs
      • Personal Retreats & Workshops
        • Let Your Light Shine Workshop
        • Teen Empowerment Workshop
      • Corporate & Team Building Workshops
    • Horse Riding Programs
      • Weekend Horse Riding Group
      • Kids Summer Weekly Riding
      • Kids After School Riding Group
      • Teen Weekly Riding Group
      • Adult Weekly Riding Group
      • Adult Membership
      • Home School Kids Horse Program
      • Private Horseback Riding Sessions
      • Mountain Adventure Ride
    • Special Events & Fun Activities
      • Summer Solstice Paint Night
      • Wednesday Wellness
      • Sleigh & Wagon Rides
      • Couples Date Experience
    • Training & Mentorship Opportunities
      • EAL Assistant Certification Program
      • Emerge Equine Mentorship Program
      • Horsemanship Mentoring
      • Horse Driving Clinic
  • About us
    • Meet the Horses
      • Heavenly Horses
    • Meet the People
    • Legacy Ranch
    • Gallery
  • Connect with us
  • Stories & Articles
    • Stories of Success
    • Informative
    • Horse Stories
    • Healing Stories
    • Client Testimonials

What is Equine Assisted Learning?

Home > Informative > What is Equine Assisted Learning?
February 19, 2021 In Informative

Equine-Assisted Learning is a powerful and effective approach to experiential learning that includes one or more horses, and that is designed to have a positive impact on individuals of all ages. 

In this emerging field, equine-assisted methodologies are often used interchangeably and include terms such as equine therapy, horse therapy, hippotherapy, equine-assisted psychotherapy, equine-facilitated experiential learning, and equine-assisted personal development. 

By including horses in uniquely-designed learning exercises, an equine-assisted coach can observe non-verbal communication between the horse and the participant. The coach guides the session, translates what they see going on, and encourages the learner to move through the exercise. Once the activities of the session are complete, the coach and participant debrief on the experience, discuss insights and look at next steps. This experiential approach to learning effectively provides understanding and retention of skills and ideas.

Equine-assisted sessions, which involve a coach and one or more participant, vary depending on the situation being addressed. Experiential techniques such as role-playing, role-reversal, and mirroring, are combined with equine-based activities, including choosing, grooming, walking and sometimes riding a horse. After the activity, participants then process or discuss their feelings and behaviours associated with the session.

As prey animals, horses are highly attuned to their environment and are sensitive to people’s emotions. Possibly even more so than dogs and other animals typically used in assisted therapies. Horses are capable of sensing a person’s feelings instantly and giving feedback such as moving toward or away from the client.

As horses are large and powerful they have the innate ability to support people as they overcome fear and generate self-confidence for real-life situations. They are unbiased and non-judgemental, responding only to a person’s intent and behaviour. Horses are social animals with their own personalities, and will often engage with people to build a relationship. 

For people struggling with their mental well-being, horse-based learning can provide numerous benefits that can be distinguished in as little as two to three sessions.

Noted benefits include improved: 

  • Self-esteem
  • Communication skills
  • Self-awareness
  • Relaxation
  • Empowerment
  • Interpersonal relationships
  • Self-control
  • Focus & concentration
  • Happiness

There is evidence that these sessions also decrease anger, depression, dissociation, and aggression.

Seeking Equine-Assisted Learning

When searching for a program, be sure to do some research and find a program, coach and facility you are comfortable with. Feel free to ask questions, visit the facility prior to booking a session and confirm method of payment. Although some benefits providers cover EAL, it is up to the beneficiary to establish this in advance.

As you choose a program, you may want to consider finding out more about the following:

  • Experience and certification of the coaches
  • Location and accessibility of facility
  • Herd management
  • Safe handling practices
  • Health and cleanliness
  • Number of equine partners available 
  • Insured
  • Cost of programs
  • Variety of programs to suit your needs
  • Privacy as needed

To find out more about the programs offered through Emerge Equine, take a look at the services on our website.

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share

Share this page

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share

Recent Posts

  • Don’t Let What You Don’t Know Stop You
  • Freedom from Hidden Grief
  • What is Equine Assisted Learning?
  • Riding for fun, confidence and partnership
  • Life Changing in Real Life

Categories

  • Client Testimonials
  • Healing Stories
  • Horse Stories
  • Informative
  • Stories of Success
  • Services
  • Connect with us
  • Stories & Articles

Copyright © 2020 Emerge Equine. All Rights Reserved

flowww uses Let's Encrypt SSL certificates