Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is a type of therapeutic horseback riding (HHR) in which participants interact with horses to foster better communication, socialization and physical development in themselves and their riders. Also referred to as Hippotherapy or Equine Facilitated Learning.
Occupational and physical therapy activities such as grooming, leading and riding horses help develop motor skills, sensory integration and emotional regulation.
1. Non-verbal Communication
Nonverbal communication encompasses body language used to convey messages, such as eye contact, hand gestures and facial expressions. Non-verbal communications is often more powerful than verbal exchanges as body language has the power to put people at ease, draw them towards you or signal anger or hostility more quickly than words alone. Body language has many effects: from soothing others’ nerves or drawing them closer, through building trust or sending out warning signals about potential danger – but sometimes people misinterpret these actions as being hostile.
Children who interact with horses learn to recognize and control both their own emotions as well as those of the horse, leading them to form stronger relationships while understanding how their actions impact those around them.
Children who work with horses learn that progress is an ongoing journey, and self-acceptance is crucial in order to minimize embarrassment and foster resilience and strength in response to challenges. Equine therapy also offers multisensory stimulation which may assist with sensory processing issues for kids who struggle with emotional regulation.
2. Social Skills
Activities involved with riding and grooming horses enable children to develop many social skills. They learn to read their body language, handle them appropriately, communicate with them effectively, collaborate with instructors and fellow riders as well as develop responsibility, organisational skills that aid executive functioning as well as emotional regulation.
Mary Bouchard of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario has conducted extensive research on the effect of guided interaction between horses and at-risk youth. She will present her findings at the 2015 Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Ottawa on June 1.
She has found that these interactions help children build both social skills and self-esteem, giving them an experience with horses which boosts both aspects. Children gain a sense of accomplishment from participating in horse activities that allow them to replace feelings of helplessness or lack of motivation with renewed faith in their abilities and a stronger bond with their horse; both contribute towards fostering feelings of belonging beyond family and community boundaries.
3. Self-regulation
Autism spectrum children often struggle to regulate their emotions and behaviors, leading them to outbursts such as tantrums which can be extremely disruptive for both themselves and adults around them. Equine therapy helps children learn how to identify their emotions accurately in order to respond appropriately.
Engaging with horses teaches children nonverbal communication and body language skills. Because horses are sensitive animals, they quickly pick up on children’s emotions and behaviors; children learn how to remain calm and communicate clearly with horses for maximum benefits in all other interactions as well.
One study concluded that therapeutic horseback riding significantly enhances self-regulation behaviors and social outcomes among youth with ASD. Furthermore, horses provide a soothing learning and healing environment which fosters initiative, problem solving, renewed internal feelings of self-efficacy as children take on challenges and achieve successes within horse-facilitated activities. Furthermore, interactions with the horses foster respect for animals and nature alike.
4. Self-confidence
Equine assisted therapy teaches children to trust, respect, nurture and connect with a safe and reliable partner. Equine-facilitated therapy creates an opportunity for children to discover a sense of internal self-efficacy that replaces feelings of helplessness or hopelessness while creating a basis for healing.
Horses are sensitive animals that respond quickly to even subtle shifts in their demeanor, so children need to learn to regulate their emotions and behavior to communicate clearly and calmly with these majestic beasts. Over time, children develop responsibility for their actions as well as an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships associated with decisions they have made.
A study published in the Journal of Genetic Psychology discovered that children who interact with horses show greater respect for animals and nature than those who don’t, making this an invaluable lesson for young learners who may later apply it in everyday situations – for instance Isra’El was able to gain confidence to speak up by using horseback riding as a form of advocacy for himself.
