Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) for children is fast becoming a valued form of therapy and personal development for children at all stages of growth. Let Joanne’s horses and the peaceful surrounds of her property in Blackbutt draw your child in to experience true growth and learning, led by the therpists–the horses!
Why horses?
People are inexplicably drawn to horses. A horse’s size and power is an awe-inspiring element of their being. Horses are animals of prey, so they are always seeking a place of peace and safety, and therefore draw us into their world where we find ourselves seeking peace and safety too. Horses react authentically in every given moment, giving instant and powerful feedback to the person they’re working with. They act as “mirrors” to our own internal state of being, providing insight into the way we interact with the world and the opportunities that exist to change and grow.
It is now well known that horses can have incredible influence on children with autism and those with special needs. As no words are necessary to communicate with a horse, children find themselves instantly accepted and can rely on their other means of communication to achieve success.
But EFL is not just for children with special needs. EFL can assist all children to build confidence, enjoy learning and develop new skills. EFL provides a chance for children to explore their own emotions and abilities in a safe and fun learning environment.
No prior experience with horses is necessary!
Horses teach us about reading body language, understanding group behaviour, setting boundaries, and monitoring our emotions. They can help us to see more about ourselves in one hour than we might otherwise see in years.
Equine Facilitated Learning sessions are designed to improve children’s confidence and sense of personal power. All activities are ground based. There is no riding involved. Our gentle and friendly horses will help your child to experience learning so that it is taken in at a subconscious level for powerful self change.
In the Media: You may have read or heard about The Horse Boy, a young boy with autism whose parents took on huge challenges to take him to Mongolia to meet the horses. His story has been turned into a movie with the same name.
