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 Equine Facilitated Learning 

What is Equine Facilitated Learning?

Equine Facilitated Learning is an unfolding process as it is needed for the specific client receiving the equine session.

 

EFL offers space for the participant to meet with a horse which is responsive to and confirming a delicate touch, gentle movements and is fluidly moving upon requests which are presented calmly and without harshness.

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Being around a 500kg animal, building a relationship based on trust which is going both ways is settling and at the same time empowering.

 

Leading and guiding a horse around the large property means the horse feels safe with her/his ‘person’ and this can increase the self-esteem in the client.

 

The participants are letting go of any inner contraction.

Karin and therapy horse.
What we do
Karin and Therapy Horse cheek to cheek.

What are the benefits of Equine Facilitated Learning?

The benefits of Equine Facilitated Learning are varied and individual based on the particular needs of the participant. The benefits act as building blocks towards independence in the social context.

 

The clients are discovering the following:

 

  • how to relax and release stress

  • to feel accepted because horses do NOT judge

  • a sense of mental and emotional wellbeing

  • how to be attentive and focussed

  • to be observant of the details of the horse’s responses

  • to settle into an inner calmness

  • to enjoy the exchange with another species broadens perspective

  • an increase of self esteem

  • an expansion of confidence

  • a sense of being rejuvenated

  • the joy of feeling more whole within themselves

Will I need experience with horses to do Equine Facilitated Learning?

There is no experience needed with horses at all, everything that is required will be explained in easily digestible portions by the facilitator, in the moment it arises.

 

EFL is entirely meant as a support for the participant’s next step in the direction of more independence, that is why it is so nurturing and empowering to spend time with our horses.

 

Clients are reporting that they feel encouraged to connect with an inner sense of worth, self-esteem and settlement.

 

Various activities or movements might be offered to you for your perusal and choice. Clients are mentioning that they feel encouraged to try movements around and with horses which give them a sense of authority and empowerment even though they might not have had any or only little experience with horses.

Female horse therapist kisses therapy horse on the nose.
Picture of Arabia the therapy horse

What happens in a session?

There are a lot of different groundwork activities available under the guidance of the practitioner while keeping the connection and communication with the horse flowing. In the first few sessions the below might present itself:

 

  • Discovering how horses communicate with the humans around them in many ways.

  • Observing small signals of expression from the horse and realising their meaning

  • Learning how to move around a horse safely

  • Touching a horse and getting a feel for his/her body

  • Grooming (brushing the horse) or giving a massage

  • Exploring how to stop and start a horse using sensitivity and authority instead of force

  • Learning to take a horse for a walk and introduce them to the ever-changing environment on their large paddock with creek and dam access

 

Later-on, the above techniques can be combined and build up to more elaborate movements and games:

 

  • Moving the front and hind end of the horse gently

  • Backing up and turning the horse

  • Lunging/moving the horse in different size circles

  • Guiding the horse in walk, trot and canter

  • Moving over cavalettie (posts) in all 3 gaits

  • Jumping the horse over small obstacles

  • Playing games with a large ball

  • Long reigning

  • Discovering how to ‘play’ at liberty via body signals with the horse

  • Going for long walks on the 25ac property

 

All these activities are building blocks towards a deepening of communication between horse and human. The participants are exploring body awareness as well as increasing their observation of the ‘other’ and settling into their own presence.

 

The overall subject is regulating behaviours and emotions, with the overarching aim of building confidence and leadership qualities while staying light and having fun.

How we work with you

When you choose EFL with us, we will customise the sessions to best suit your requirements as they are presenting itself. Every client benefits in a personal and unique way while exploring the human/horse relationship from different angles with various facets.

 

Experience worldwide has shown that new or modified behaviours explored in EFL sessions are being taken back into the familiar environment of the client and therefore are benefitting the dynamics of family life, school environment and movements in community.

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Contact Karin Becker if you would like to discuss how EFL can be of support to you or make a booking. Packages of multiple sessions are available on request.

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