Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). The equine assisted learning model helps individuals better understand themselves and others through participating in activities with the horses and then discussing feelings, behaviors, and patterns. The debriefing process seeks to bridge the horse activities from the arena back to "real life," inviting people to reflect, generalize, and apply new insights. EAL can help you become a better team player, develop problem solving skills, improve your leadership abilities, communicate more effectively, build healthier relationships, and enhance self-authenticity.Why the Horse?Horses offer several advantages. For one thing, their size offers a perfect opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Accomplishing a task involving the horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides for wonderful metaphors for dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations. Horses are social animals, with distinct personalities; attitudes and moods. They have the ability to mirror exactly what human body language is telling them. People complain that the horse is stubborn or antagonistic. The lesson to be learned is if they change themselves, the horses responds differently.
EAL builds skills in the following areas:• Problem Solving• Work Ethic• Personal Responsibility• Teamwork• Confidence• Attitude• Emotional Growth• Relationship BuildingEAAT and EAP are often used for clients that are experiencing the following:• Personal issues• ADD ADHD• PTSD• Social anxiety or shyness• Anxiety• Trauma• Anger and acting out• Grief and loss• Poor self-esteem• Substance abuse recovery• Communication• Interpersonal relationships• Stress• BurnoutAdditional resource and educational information may be found on the following link:
Please click here to download the Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Form
Equine Assisted Activities Therapy (EAAT), involves a team consisting of a licensed clinical professional, a certified equine specialist, and a trained horse has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health and human development needs such as behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse issues, depression, anxiety, anger management, conflict resolution, relationship problems and communications. EAAT is experiential in nature. Participants learn about themselves by participating in activities with horses and then discussing feelings, behaviors and patterns.