WHY EQUINE-FACILIATED LEARNING?
what is equine-facilitated learning or healing?
Equine-facilitated learning (EFL) is a holistic and experiential approach that involves interacting with horses to promote personal growth, emotional well-being, and self-discovery. In EFL sessions, individuals engage in various activities with horses, such as grooming, leading, or simply being in their presence, under the guidance of a certified facilitator. Horses, being highly intuitive and non-judgmental animals, provide a mirror to human emotions and behaviors, offering insights into patterns and challenges. This unique engagement emphasizes the connection between humans and horses, fostering self-awareness, building trust, and addressing emotional or psychological barriers.
Equine-facilitated learning is not about riding or horsemanship skills; instead, it focuses on the relational dynamics between participants and horses.
The process encourages individuals to explore and understand their own emotions, communication styles, and interpersonal relationships. With horses as co-facilitators, EFL creates a safe and supportive environment for individuals, couples, or groups to embark on a transformative journey, gaining valuable life skills and insights that contribute to personal empowerment and positive change.
What can equine-facilitated learning help with?
Equine-facilitated learning (EFL) is a versatile approach that can help individuals with a range of challenges. Some common areas of focus include:
Personal Growth: Equine-facilitated learning fosters self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal development. It encourages individuals to explore their strengths, limitations, and potential for growth.
Emotional Regulation: Interacting with horses can help individuals develop better emotional regulation by heightening awareness of their own emotions and learning to manage them effectively.
Communication Skills: Working with horses requires clear communication. EFL can enhance verbal and non-verbal communication skills, promoting effective interpersonal connections.
Relationship Building: Whether in individual, couples, or group settings, EFL provides opportunities to strengthen relationships, build trust, and improve collaboration.
Stress Reduction: The calming presence of horses and the outdoor environment contribute to stress reduction, helping individuals relax and find a sense of peace.
Anxiety and Depression: Equine-facilitated learning has shown promise in helping individuals manage symptoms of anxiety and depression by providing a non-judgmental space for expression and exploration.
Leadership Development: In a group or organizational context, EFL can be used to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and effective decision-making.
Trauma Recovery: EFL is utilized as a complementary therapy for individuals dealing with trauma. Horses' sensitivity and non-threatening nature can create a safe space for processing trauma-related experiences.
It's important to note that while equine-facilitated learning focuses on personal and professional development, equine therapy may involve licensed therapists and is specifically designed to address mental health issues under their guidance. The effectiveness of these approaches can vary for each individual, and outcomes depend on various factors, including the specific goals of the sessions and the participant's engagement.
“The incorporation of horses into mental health treatment is a quickly growing mental health treatment innovation.... Newer approaches that incorporate horses into mental health treatment are equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), equine-assisted learning (EAL), equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) and equine-facilitated learning (EFL).¹”
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQUINE THERAPY AND EQUINE-FACILITATED LEARNING?
Equine therapy and equine-facilitated learning (EFL) share a connection with horses in therapeutic or educational settings, but they have differences in their goals, approaches, and professional practices:
GOALS AND FOCUS
Equine Therapy
Equine therapy, or equine-assisted therapy (EAT), is typically goal-oriented and involves a licensed mental health professional (such as a psychologist or therapist) who incorporates horses into the therapeutic process. The focus is on addressing specific mental health or behavioral issues in an individual or group. The therapist designs activities involving the horses to achieve therapeutic goals, such as improving emotional well-being, building trust, or addressing trauma.
Equine-Facilitated Learning
Equine-facilitated learning (EFL) is more educationally oriented, with a focus on personal development and learning rather than addressing specific mental health issues. Equine-facilitated learning sessions are often designed to enhance skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and self-awareness. These sessions may be facilitated by educators, coaches, or other professionals with expertise in personal development and learning.
Professional Background
Equine Therapy
Equine therapy is facilitated by a diverse range of professionals with specialized training in equine-assisted therapy. Licensed therapists, including licensed professional counselors, clinical psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers, bring mental health expertise to the sessions.
Additionally, professionals such as marriage and family therapists, psychotherapists, life coaches, and equine-assisted learning facilitators contribute their unique skills to create therapeutic experiences. These sessions focus on addressing emotional and psychological challenges through the powerful and experiential connection between individuals and horses.
Equine-Facilitated Learning
Equine-facilitated learning professionals come from diverse backgrounds. They can be certified equine learning practitioners, educators, life coaches, leadership trainers, or youth program leaders. While some may have a foundation in mental health, the emphasis is on educational and experiential aspects.
Equine learning facilitators focus on skill development, personal growth, and learning through interactive experiences with horses. These professionals may not necessarily hold licenses in mental health but bring expertise in areas such as education, coaching, or leadership development.
the experience
Equine Therapy
The interaction with horses in therapy is often symbolic and metaphoric, and the therapist interprets the client's interactions with the horses to gain insights into their psychological and emotional state.
Equine-Facilitated Learning
Interaction with horses in this context is more experiential and focused on the learning process. Participants engage in activities with horses to develop specific skills and gain practical insights into their behavior and communication styles.
In therapy one looks back; in EFL coaching one looks forward.
what is the difference between hippotherapy and equine therapy?
hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is a specialized form of physical, occupational, and speech therapy that leverages the characteristic movements of a horse. In this therapeutic approach, a licensed healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist or occupational therapist, carefully utilizes the horse's movements to provide graded motor and sensory input. The goal is to establish a foundation for improving neurological function and sensory processing, with the potential for generalization to various daily activities.
Unlike therapeutic horseback riding, where riding skills are explicitly taught, hippotherapy uses the horse's movement as a means to achieve specific treatment goals. It has shown promise in treating individuals with various neurological or physical disabilities, including conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, behavioral disorders, and psychiatric disorders.²
equine therapy
Equine therapy, facilitated by certified mental health professionals, counselors, or therapists, takes a holistic approach to address emotional, psychological, and mental health goals. This form of therapy utilizes the horse as a partner in various activities, emphasizing the relational and experiential aspects of the therapeutic process.
Equine therapy is diverse and can help individuals dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and interpersonal difficulties. The focus extends beyond physical development to encompass emotional regulation, self-esteem, communication skills, and interpersonal relationships. Through interactions with horses, participants can explore and address a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges in a supportive and experiential environment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EQUINE-FACILITATED LEARNING AND EQUINE THERAPY
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The prices of equine-facilitated learning can vary by facility and location. Below are the prices of our equine-facilitated sessions:
• One-on-one EFL session $150 (Approx 2 hrs)
• Couples EFL session $150/per person (Approx 2 hrs)
• Small group $150/per person
• Half-day retreat $225/per person (3 hrs)
• Full-day retreat $499/per person (7 hrs)
• Reiki session with horses $70 (1 hr)
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Equine-facilitated learning and equine therapy, recognized for their efficacy in alleviating anxiety, harness the distinctive qualities of horses. Horses' non-judgmental and accepting nature establishes a safe space for individuals to freely explore emotions without fear of criticism. Engaging in activities like grooming or leading horses involves physical movement, contributing to stress reduction and promoting relaxation, with the rhythmic motions of horses linked to inducing a sense of calm.
Additionally, the metaphorical learning aspect of equine-facilitated approaches offers insights into anxiety triggers, coping mechanisms, and personal strengths. Successfully navigating challenges with horses can enhance self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment, positively impacting individuals managing anxiety. The bond formed with a horse, within the supportive environment crafted by therapists or facilitators, fosters a deep connection and social support. Equine interventions, while valuable in anxiety management, underscore the importance of consulting mental health professionals for comprehensive and tailored strategies tailored to individual needs.
Horses bring a unique advantage to therapy with their non-biased reactions, responding solely to the patient's behavior and emotions. This impartiality proves crucial for patients, contributing to heightened self-esteem and self-confidence. Horses, as prey and herd animals, exhibit hyper-vigilance and sensitivity, providing early and consistent feedback compared to human therapists. Their innate tendency to mirror the person's behavior, movements, and emotions fosters greater self-awareness, allowing people to "feel felt." This valuable feedback, translated and analyzed by equine specialists, enriches the therapeutic experience, adding depth to the anxiety management process.
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Equine therapy, or equine-assisted therapy, is utilized to address a diverse range of mental health and behavioral issues. It has shown effectiveness in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, substance abuse, and various mood disorders. Additionally, equine therapy is applied to improve communication skills, enhance emotional regulation, build self-esteem, and foster personal growth. The unique interactions with horses in a therapeutic setting contribute to the overall well-being and progress of individuals facing these challenges.
the healing power of horses
references
¹ Lee, Ping-Tzu & Dakin, Emily & McLure, Merinda. (2015). Narrative synthesis of equine-assisted psychotherapy literature: Current knowledge and future research directions. Health & social care in the community. 24. 10.1111/hsc.12201.
² Koca TT, Ataseven H. What is hippotherapy? The indications and effectiveness of hippotherapy. North Clin Istanb. 2016 Jan 15;2(3):247-252. doi: 10.14744/nci.2016.71601. PMID: 28058377; PMCID: PMC5175116.