Equine-Assisted Learning

SERVICES

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an experiential learning approach that facilitates the development of life skills for education and social/emotional development through hands on work with the horse. It is also used for professionals to pursue leadership development and team building events.

Your Path Begins Here

Trust

Respect

Communication

Self-Control

Mindfulness

Leadership

Boundaries

Teamwork

There are unlimited opportunities to teach critical life skills by partnering with horses.

Most sessions are ground based (non riding), however there may be times when mounted (riding) activities are incorporated. In these setting, human-equine interactions are guided by a planned experience to meet individual identified goals. Through these interactions, we learn life skills such as trust, honestly, connection, communication, self-regulation and self-confidence. Horses are social beings, much like humans, and within their herds we observe various communication and social dynamics. We all become stronger, more confident, courageous, and independent when we spend time with our horses

“I can’t believe it’s been a year since Nick began with Horses with Hearts!

I credit the team with the big changes I’ve seen in my son. His mind was in non-stop overdrive, his body was struggling to grow strong and all he wanted to do was hide from the world. He’d retreat into a world of video games where he could hide and not have to deal with the ugliness of the world.

Now this boy walks with purpose! He is a leader in his group and is the calming presence among them. Nick is able to make more eye contact with new people, stand up for himself and express his ideas and feelings. I do smile and cry at the sight of him changing and become a young man who has been show how to accept love and to give it to another being, equine and human.”

– Nick’s Mom

People Always Ask

Why The Horse

The three-dimensional movement of the horse mimics the human walk. The corrective stimulation and exercise from this movement profoundly affects the physical, cognitive, sensory and vestibular systems, which in turn can create abilities in a person with a disability to accomplish things previously not thought possible.

The horse is also a tremendous motivator. Horses and humans together often create a natural bonding relationship. Participants have been known to say their first words, or have taken their first steps because of the powerful influence of the horse. Plus, it is just plain fun!