Everything You Need to Know About Equine Assisted Learning?

February 28, 2020 Off By Shalytta

Humans first domesticate horses around 4000 BC. Since then, they have co-existed with humans and helped us in multiple ways. Now, these beautiful four-legged beasts are assisting us in bringing a positive transformation in people with some of the other mental or physical ailments. Holistic horseback riding special needs programs are aimed at healing PTSD, anxiety, fear, trauma, and depression.

But do you know horses also assist in learning too? So, let’s find more about Equine Assisted Learning.

What is Equine Assisted Learning? 

In Equine Assisted Learning or EAL, horses are trained to teach and heal patients through equine-assisted sessions and activities. These sessions are both classroom-based and experiential in nature. The therapy is suitable for youths who are at risk of drug addiction, people looking for rehabilitation programs, mental ailment patients, and people with physical disabilities. Equine-assisted learning is often called Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning (EFEL) or Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

The one giving EAL are professionals who have experience in providing teaching and healing courses to people. They undertake the work for a counselor, healer, teacher, and personality developer.

Many folks confuse equine-assisted learning with programs like horseback riding near Virginia Beach. Although both involve horses, EAL is different from horsemanship. In EAL, the core of the session is to teach through a horse. In EAL, horse riding and horse caring is sometimes a part of the activity.

Equine Assisted Learning or Equine Facilitated Learning involves activities where horses are used for experiential learning. The sessions or activities are designed for groups rather than focused on individuals. Instead of working on personal issues like past trauma, physical disability, or depression, EAL majorly focuses on building character, perception, or principles.

These activities are directed toward connecting students to academics or learning programs. EAL is also effective in re-engaging students and teens that are susceptible to addiction to school and education. In EAL, the participants are made to interact with the horses. A trainer is present to guide the participants and conduct the session.

Now that we have looked into the concept of equine-assisted learning let’s look into the points that make horses the perfect animal for assisted learning.

  1. Horses are sentient creatures, and hyper alter of their surroundings. They give quick and instant response to whatever is happening around them. Since they can sense our emotions, they are well suited to make us aware of our feelings.
  2. Horses are robust and strong animals. They like leadership qualities and trust those who respect them. Through horses, people learn to respect, trust, and lead others.
  3. Horses are herd-dwellers, and they respect their fellow beings. They respond to interaction with honesty. By learning to understand and adopt a horse’s approach to any situation, one can bring a positive transformation in one’s life.
  4. Horses always react to what is happening around them. Instead of hiding or concealing their feelings, they display it through actions. Their intuitive nature is the best window into a person’s personality.