Horse Powered Reading

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“Horse Powered Reading® benefits children who struggle every day; who we have the power to help, the power to give hope, and the power to make school and life easier.”

-Dr. Michele Pickel, Founder

For More information on Horse Powered Reading, go to horsespoweredreading.com

Horse Powered Reading® is part of our Equine-assisted Learning program.

This program was founded by Dr. Michelle Pickel.

Horse Powered Reading® integrates social-emotional learning with academics; thus allowing students see and experience reading with their entire mind, body and emotions by creating metaphors for the skills involved in reading.

Students interact with horses from the ground, while using toys and props to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills – phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

Session goals vary depending upon the needs of the individual or group. Horse Powered Reading® helps children:

Increase confidence
Promote self-efficacy
Foster connections
Learn valuable reading skills
Carry new skills into the regular classroom

“This year the girls participated in a new program at Horses with Hearts, called Horse Powered Reading.

This session Mr. Craig and his daughters brought it! The girls did their lessons separately and at times together and had a great time! This one was a beach scene with leis, sun glasses, water balloons, beach balls and Pete The Cat beach books. Both girls did amazing but I really enjoyed JJ sound out/read entire words by herself. Great volunteers and horses are magical. Forever grateful for Horses with Hearts, the horses, volunteers and the amazing work they do! (I’m not crying…just something in my eye…)”

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!