There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” – Winston Churchill.
While there are many known physical benefits to EAL, it’s focus is more on the emotional and positive mental influence that spending time with horses has on your life. EAL is an experiential approach, meaning you learn and grow by “doing”. The horse is an assistant facilitator, a living breathing being who helps to direct your session, making it a combination of education, therapy and fun. It promotes the development of educational, emotional, professional and personal growth through equine-assisted activities.
The experiential approach integrates human-equine interactions that are guided by a planned learning experience to meet identified goals/desires. Working with equines provides opportunities to teach critical life skills such as respect, honesty, trust and communication. Equines ask people to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Therefore, through interactions with horses, participants learn a heightened self-awareness which is important in order to reveal patterns of behaviour and gives the opportunity to think in a new way. Participants gain self-confidence and self-esteem while learning how to work with such a large and powerful creature. They offer us the opportunity to experience humility, compassion and challenge – all critical elements to supporting self-growth.
Therapeutic horsemanship benefits a wide range of children, adolescents and adults looking for a different way to improve confidence and self-awareness, including people with behavioural challenges, mental health problems and learning difficulties.
Therapeutic work with horses has shown to:
| Improve confidence and self-esteem Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Depression Enhance communication and relationship skills Manage emotions and behavioural issues Encourage nurturing skills and self-discipline Develop Focus, Balance and Coordination skills Improve self-awareness and awareness of others Provide a connection with nature and the environment |
The horse activities are carried out in a safe, non-judgmental environment in a way that encourages personal development. Working outside with horses also stimulates an appreciation of the countryside, conservation, wildlife and maintaining a sustainable natural environment for the horses and the local community. It is possible for clients to incorporate other interests, such as photography, art- and craftwork or mindfulness into their activities, as the process is completely client-centred.
Therapeutic horsemanship is not limited to horse riding and no prior experience with horses is required.