What is Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)?
EAL is an experiential form of learning where the horse acts as a partner in the process of self-discovery and self-improvement. This helps promotes the development of life skills, includes one or more horses, and is designed to have a positive impact of people of all ages.
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By including horses in uniquely designed activities, an equine-assisted facilitator can observe non-verbal communication between the horse and the client. The facilitator guides the session, translates what they see going on, and encourages the client to move through the exercise. When the activities of the session are complete, the facilitator and client debrief on the experience, discuss insights, and look at next steps. The experiential approach to learnings effectively provides understanding and retention of skills and ideas.
Why Horses?
As prey animals, horses are highly attuned to their environment and are sensitive to people's emotions. Horses have a unique ability to pick up on what people are feeling by reading and reacting to client's body language. Horses are very much like humans in that they are social animals. They have defined roles within their herds. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. An approach that seems to work with one horse does not necessarily work with another.
Participants learn to be aware of the horse's body language and change their approach accordingly. Accomplishing a task with a horse successfully increases participants' confidence and provides wonderful metaphors for problem-solving and overcoming intimidating and challenging situations for life.
Services & Programs
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
This is an interactive session tailored to meet the mental health need of our client. The therapeutic team consists of a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist, and one or more horses. There is no riding involved.
Building a relationships with the horse is beneficial for clients with trauma, attachment issues, and those seeking to develop coping and emotional regulation skills.
Other benefits include: increased self-esteem, confidence, assertiveness, and ability to set boundaries.
Individual sessions are 50-60 minutes.
Group sessions are 90 minutes.
Youth Leadership Empowerment Program
The Whoa to Bullying, Giddy Up to Kindness program is a one-of-a-kind equine-assisted experience that focuses on the problem of bullying and how to stop it.
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Our program is based on the principles of character-based education which promotes kindness and consideration of others. The benefits of this program include: growing in self-awareness about what constitutes bullying, setting healthy boundaries and taking responsibility for better choices, developing empathy and compassion, and identifying advocates and safe adults who can help.
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No riding is involved and no horsemanship experience is required. Our team can adjust interactive activities to match students’ abilities and level of comfort with the horses.
Professional
Development Retreats
Equine Reflections' Professional Development Retreat is a fun, engaging, and interactive team-building experience that uses equine-assisted activities to build leadership skills, improve communications, and help corporate teams connect on a deeper level. As you work as a team, your horse partners will act as a real-time performance review, providing honest feedback as you go.
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By linking your experiences and challenges to our horses, you will clarify and build the skills and behaviors of high performing teams.
Horse experience is not necessary and
no riding is involved.
Horsemanship Empowerment
The Horsemanship Empowerment program, conducted by Bonny Barry, a certified equine specialist, is designed for persons who want to achieve horsemanship skills that create a true partnership with the horse.
The participant will gain insight, knowledge, and confidence through on-the-ground equine training in the open-air covered arena. Horsemanship Empowerment includes personalized education, instruction, and skills-building, through an array of ground training and equine-assisted learning methods such as liberty training.