Equine
Facilitated
Learning
Offerings
All sessions are outdoor, rustic, hands on/experiential animal interactions. Unmounted activities involving horses are engaged in, riding and horsemanship are not the focus.
Equine Facilitated Learning always contains elements of present moment focus, building trust in a relationship, herd observation, non verbal communication, and anxiety reduction. Honoring the physical and emotional safety of client, animal and facilitator is foremost. Participants may experience the calming effect of an equine relationship, which can transfer to other areas of life, opening the way for life enhancing self discovery.
Private, couple, family, and small group sessions available. Maximum four clients simultaneously. Ages 8 and up unless noted.
Design personalized session packages with your needs and objectives in mind. We can partner with other professionals ( educators, therapists, etc.) to closely follow the care plan of the individual or group.
Please contact Pam to discuss flexible scheduling options, and personalized session packages with your needs and objectives in mind.
Introduction to Peaceful Pastures
Experience a safe introduction to being accepted by the herd. Slow down, leave behind your worries during your horse time in nature.
Observe and begin to understand horse body language and non verbal communication.
One and a half hour introduction $60
1-4 participants
Individual Focused Learning
Provide your teacher, therapist, counselor, or other knowledgeable support person's recommendations for personal growth, and we'll design a package with your objectives in mind. Can partner or co-facilitate with a specialist. Suggested minimum of three to five sessions to discover how partnering with an equine promotes growth and wellness.
Pet and Play
Ages 4-7, guardian must be present.
Explore the acreage, meet the animals. Depending on season, pick fruits or vegetables, dig in the sandbox or dirt. Interact with and learn about ponies. May include sitting on a pony.
There is no Wi-Fi at the herd, but it's where you'll make the best connections.
Creativity through Critters
Express the connections you develop with equines in nature, and the curiosity they inspire. Use
- WORDS
- PHOTOGRAPHY
-SKETCHING
to promote journalling, beginning a self discovery habit.
3 sessions. May include being seated on a horse.
16 Benefits of Partnering with Equines.
Choose Sessions, and Themes.
May include some horsemanship and a progression towards mounting a horse during final sessions.
TRUST; Participants learn to trust their equine and human facilitator as well as themselves.
ANXIETY REDUCTION: Research shows that interaction with animals significantly reduces physiological anxiety levels.
DEPRESSION AND DECREASING ISOLATION: Interacting non-verbally with horses, and experiencing their unconditional acceptance encourages people to engage in social interactions with others.
MINDFULNESS: Participants must learn to be in the moment with horses in a calm, focused and fully engaged manner which helps them learn new positive ways of being.
SELF-ESTEEM: Confidence is boosted as participants take on new challenges and master new skills in a non-competitive, non-judgmental environment.
IMPULSE REGULATION: The necessity to communicate with horses calmly and non-reactively promotes self-control and regulation of emotions and behaviors.
SELF-EFFICACY: Developing the ability to problem-solve non-verbally fosters initiative and empowers participants to move beyond feelings of helplessness and lack of motivation.
POSITIVE IDENTITY: Through this work participants learn to bond with horses and experience feelings of being 'liked' and accepted.
COMMUNICATION: People learn to become more sensitive to non-verbal cues they may be communicating, which promotes self-awareness and intuition.
GROWTH WITH NATURE: Learning in nature is a peaceful experience for most people, which promotes feelings of joy and connection.
SELF-ACCEPTANCE: Participants learn to focus inwardly on their own comfort level and let go of fears of embarrassment, which is necessary for developing resilience.
SOCIAL SKILLS: A variety of skills are improved, including reciprocity, assertiveness, engagement, as well as positive and negative feedback from others, including the horse.
ASSERTIVENESS: Working with a large animal like a horse can be intimidating, but once people learn to do so effectively, they become better able to express their feelings as a result.
BOUNDARIES: Participants learn how to operate within the boundaries of a safe and mutually caring relationship without the fear of trauma or being controlled.
CREATIVITY AND SPONTANEITY: People learn to let go of their inhibitions and rigidity by enjoying the more spontaneous aspects of spending time with horse, and become more creative in healthy recreational play.
PERSPECTIVE AND GIVING: Participants learn to put aside their troubles and bad feelings and focus on developing caring and nurturing relationships with horses.
(Empathy)