Utilizing horses in therapeutic settings to increase self-awareness and leadership abilities can have lasting benefits. Dreamwinds offers various Equine Assisted Learning programs.
Participants were recruited from EAL practitioners working across a range of settings. Those who responded were then queried on their demographic characteristics and training acquired.
Self-Awareness
Horses are great teachers when it comes to reading people, providing participants with an opportunity to build trusting and meaningful relationships. This type of personal development can easily translate to professional environments, helping people connect more efficiently.
Studies have demonstrated the power of horses as an effective tool in teaching people about themselves, helping to overcome fears, and develop interpersonal skills. A recent study concluded that working with horses was even more effective than traditional therapy with a psychologist!
Our Equine Assisted Learning programs at GHBC’s Farm in Falls Church and our Campus in Alexandria provide older adults with a fun and interactive learning experience. If you are interested in taking one of our EAL programs, please reach out to us here.
Empathy
EAL should not be seen as a replacement to traditional therapy; rather it can supplement it. EAL uses experiential methods to teach participants to recognize their emotional needs through interactions with horses. EAL has proven particularly helpful for people suffering from trauma and stress disorders.
Equine-assisted learning programs aim to assist students in overcoming the daily struggles they encounter – including stress, depression, anxiety and relationship difficulties. Furthermore, this program helps develop interpersonal skills and boost self-esteem while also encouraging physical activity and providing a safe space where emotions can be expressed freely.
Natural Lifemanship’s program integrates theory and practice and can be found both online and in person, offering different levels of certification that cater specifically to mental health professionals or generalist horse activities. One such certification course, offered entirely online through Natural Lifemanship, requires weekly access to horses so participants can complete assignments and practice techniques for certification.
Self-Regulation
Equine Assisted Learning can provide individuals facing challenges such as addiction, grief and loss with a unique platform for self-discovery and healing. Horses’ prey animal instinct makes them intuitively sensitive to human emotions, creating an intimate setting ideal for exploration and transformation.
Participants learn to recognize their natural tendencies and behaviors when working alongside horses, giving them insight into how best to cope with life’s many stressful situations. With greater self-awareness comes better management of mental, physical, and emotional health for participants.
Program pricing and details can be found within the participant registration portal, with options aimed at education, organizations or personal development programs to select. In addition, participants can earn a PATH International Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) microcredential in one of three non-therapy EAL specialties to gain certifications that incorporate horse-assisted activities into their practices as counselors or coaches.
Responsibility
Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is a non-therapeutic, skill-building approach involving horses. Specially trained and certified professionals deliver EAL services with the goal of furthering educational or professional goals.
Horses may provide relief for people battling anxiety or depression, or who suffer from medical illnesses that have psychological and emotional impacts. Working with horses teaches clients to focus and regulate their emotions effectively – helping foster an increased sense of responsibility while building lasting relationships.
Riding can help to build strength, flexibility and coordination while simultaneously being enjoyable social activity that benefits people of any age or physical ability. Riding can benefit those living with physical or developmental disabilities who benefit from therapeutic riding organizations across the nation that offer equine-assisted learning programs tailored specifically for them – find one that meets your needs and goals to maximize its benefits!
