Bringing the EFL experience from around the World Wide Web…

From Franklin Levinson’s “Way of the Horse” website:

“Horses are like magnets for humans. People of all ages have drawn to the horse because of their beauty, grace, power, majestic stature and the mystery of their noble being. It’s been that way throughout recorded history. In modern times, it has been clinically documented that just being around horses changes the brain wave patterns of humans. We calm down and become more centered and focused in the present when we are with horses. We are transformed in a very positive way when in the presence of horses. It is no wonder that the beneficial effects of positive and appropriate interaction with horses should prove therapeutic to grownups and children alike…

For children with mental and emotional disorders the positive benefits of the experience with the horses was frequently profound. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder would magically focus on the horse for long periods of time when either grooming or leading the horses. Once they understood how to ask for and receive cooperation from the horse, their self-esteem went sky high. What a wonderful sight it is when I see a shy, withdrawn, fearful child standing tall and confident as they lead a 1200 pound animal through an obstacle course of a series of twists, turns and stops. Autistic children who would come to me mostly withdrawn and very much in their own world, would begin to say new words and attempt to express themselves as rarely seen by their parents and therapists. Given the lead rope of a horse they would proudly lead the horse around the ranch for extended periods of time and not want to give them up. Observers would stand there with mouths a gasp and tears streaming down their faces to see such profound and wonderful response in their children and wards.”

From the article, Heart Connections and the Healing Power of Horses, by Bonnie Treece

“HeartMath Institute Engineers performed a study about how human heart rates affect each other. By connecting two people to heart and brain monitors they examined energetic interactions between them. An important factor in the interactions was the people’s heart rhythms or “Heart Rate Variability patterns,” which look like wave forms. When they held hands, one persons heart beat could be measured in the others brain waves. In some cases when one of the people is in a loving or appreciative state their heart rhythms become what they call coherent and the two people’s heart rhythms became “entrained”. If the HeartMath® study works human to human, it may also work horse to human. Do our hearts become entrained with theirs when we are in the presence of a horse? At rest the horse’s heart rate is 26 – 50 beats per minute. This is much slower than a human’s heart rate of 70 – 75 beats per minute. Since a horse’s heart beats so much slower, can we lower our heart rate simply by standing in their presence? An occurrence that many people experience after they spend time with horses is they feel calmer. Is the end result for them a lower heart rate or a more coherent heart rhythm? Horses know instinctively how to stay in the optimal healthy heart rate zone and may be able to help us to do the same. When they aren’t being interfered with, horses are rarely stressed. They instinctively conserve energy for when they need it to engage in life saving activities – like running from predators. They don’t fabricate events to agonize over.”

“Several studies show the benefits of touching animals. Advantages include lowering blood pressure, relieving stress, and releasing endorphins–the “pleasure” hormones of the brain. Studies also show that touch can have benefits to the animals as well.

Likewise, a lack of touch between a mother-infant, parent-child, or husbane-wife may indicate problems in those relationships and even result in psychological/emotional distress.

It is understanding of the above concepts that seems to lead to grooming as an intervention for building relationships. The theory follows that touch leads to bonding with the horse, which will lead to bonding with humans in other areas of life.”

[Taken from Fundamentals of EAGALA Model Practice: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Certification Program (sixth edition), written by EAGALA, page 99.]

Click HERE to see Franklin Levinson leading a session with a child with special needs.

Click HERE to see a workshop with Leigh Shambo at HEAL, as a young girl experiences deep connection with a horse.

Ah… the magic of horses

Located in the picturesque location of Blackbutt in south-east Queensland is a haven for horses and a haven for people. Years of passion for horses and passion for developmental education has led Joanne Schoenwald to offer this blossoming, unique experience.

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 therapists–the horses!

No experience with horses is necessary!

Blackbutt is located two hours from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.