What is Equine-Assisted Programs for Children and Teens?
In short, Equine-Assisted programs are powerful and effective person-centered approaches that includes one or more horses, designed to have a positive impact on individuals of all ages.
The horse acts as an authentic mirror for the child’s emotions as they are naturally sensitive to human emotions and behavior. Horses do not judge, they don't care how tall you are, how attractive your are, what color your skin is, or if you are wearing name brand clothes or not. They are simply looking at your presence, they know before you ever get close to them if your scared or happy, calm or angry. The interaction with the horses naturally helps kids, especially youth who have experienced trauma, abandonment, have been diagnosed with ADHD or Autism or who are struggling with behavioral or emotional difficulties. The amount of benefits are truly endless! It can help build social skills, improve physical coordination, promote self-esteem, foster trust, increase emotional awareness, increase self-regulation, improve impulse control, instill confidence, help learn to manage stress in healthy ways, reduce anxiety and learn problem-solving skills.
The Equine-Assisted programs are experience-based programs that obviously incorporates horses. Thus the kiddos participating in these programs might help groom, feed, lead & potentially ride horses at higher levels (although most of the work is done on the ground). The kids engage in activities with their assigned horses as they are guided through their session. We then reflect on these activities and how they may relate to the child's day to day life.
Important Notes:
* It's important to note that the effectiveness of these programs can vary from child to child, and not every child will respond equally to this approach. However, for many individuals, the unique qualities of Equine-Assisted programs can provide valuable insights and promote personal growth and development.
* It is also important to note, I do not do Equine-assisted Therapy as I am not a licensed counselor, therapist or Psychologist however, I do have extensive training, certifications, experience and education. See the About Me page for a list of my accomplishments. Equine-assisted programs focuses on the future and does not treat or diagnose any type of intense mental health issues. In short, I will meet the child where they are and we will work on goals for the future with their particular barriers/struggles in mind.
* Final note, your child does not have to have any previous horse experience and no special equipment is needed. I will provide everything they need. I only ask that the kids wear enclosed shoes and appropriate clothing for the elements. I would also suggest wearing pants as it is simply more comfortable when riding, but that is totally up to you.
If this sounds like something you and your child may be interested in or you simply have questions, please, do not hesitate to reach out and connect. I am more than happy to answer any of your questions and would love to help in any way I can!
.jpg)
EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING FOR YOUTH
Youth Programs
The Program Curriculum
All of our equine-assisted programs use all of or a portion of the Life Hack Horsemanship curriculum created by Lindsey Crosbie. This generally consists of 12 weekly two-hour sessions, which include horsemanship lessons and horse care training. It was specifically designed to support the development of pro-social behavior and delivers a comprehensive curriculum of animal care, life, work, and social skills.
The Life Hack course engages kids in meaningful activity in the outdoors, empowering them to
connect with animals and learn transferable social skills that they
could then use in other areas of their lives. The curriculum and
teaching strategies focus on helping students learn skills that are
transferrable to their lives outside of a riding arena.
These life skills include:
• Plan ahead –think about task analysis, problem-solving, planning for
the future, and being prepared for challenges that they will encounter.
• Be flexible and willing to adapt.
• Keep their mind on the task at hand.
• Be confident and engaged.
• Be aware of their environment and the feedback it provides.
• Accept correction and criticism constructively.
• Use horsemanship as an opportunity to socialize appropriately with
peers, volunteers, and facilitators.
• Understand how they learn best.
Each session consists of two parts:
1. Groundwork curriculum: Horsemanship sessions involving hands-on practice, arena demonstrations, and review workshops that teach gentle and appropriate horse-handling skills. Learning how to safely and empathetically interact with horses and how to use proper body mechanics to effectively command a horse improves physical, cognitive, and social abilities, enabling people to transfer these abilities to other aspects of their life, such as a classroom environment and/or work situation.
Each week’s lesson has a specific theme including:
• Responsibility
• Respect
• Communication
• Motivation
• Adaptability
• Positive attitude
• Managing emotions
2. Horse care lessons: Instructors teach a new skill each week,
building on the learning from the previous week. Lessons are taught
from a social or work skills perspective. For instance, to tack up the
horse (saddling) requires planning and responsibility, as a person
must know in advance what equipment is needed and what needs to
be done with the equipment, position it in a specific order and check
their work for safety and completeness. Lessons regularly provide an
opportunity to learn how to handle problems and come up with
creative solutions.
* Information from Lindsey Crosbie’s curriculum used, The Life Hack -Horsemanship Skills Course.
Additional Information and Statistics
Why do Equine-Assisted Programs work for Adolescents?
-
Non-Verbal Communication: Horses are highly sensitive to non-verbal cues, which helps children and teens improve their ability to communicate effectively and understand emotions in others.
-
Building Trust: Working with horses fosters a sense of trust and responsibility, as these animals require care and consistency, enabling participants to develop important life skills.
-
Emotional Regulation: Interacting with horses can promote emotional awareness and regulation, helping young people manage their feelings and reactions in a safe environment.
-
Social Skills Development: Equine-assisted learning encourages teamwork and social interaction, allowing children and teens to improve their social skills and build relationships with peers.
-
Confidence and Self-Esteem: Engaging in equine activities helps enhance self-confidence as students achieve goals and overcome challenges associated with horse handling and care.
-
Physical Coordination and Motor Skills: Activities involving horses can enhance physical coordination and fine motor skills through grooming, riding, and leading, which are beneficial for overall development.
-
Stress Relief and Therapeutic Benefits: The presence of horses has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, providing a calming effect that can promote mental well-being.
-
Outdoor Learning: Outdoor learning helps people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to reflect and learn about themselves, each other and their environment. The lasting benefits impact academic achievement, new skills learning, personal and social development, care for the environment, career and professional development, well-being, and mental health. Research indicates that students who engage in outdoor learning experiences score27% higher on standardized tests compared to their peers who primarily learn indoors. Additionally, outdoor learning is associated with improved motivation and engagement among students, leading to better retention of knowledge. This type of learning environment encourages creativity, physical activity, and social skills, all of which contribute to a well-rounded educational experience.
-
Novel Experiences: Equine-Assisted programs can be incredibly successful with hard-to-reach demographics as it provides a novel learning experience that takes young people out of their everyday environment to complete new and unusual tasks. This lets neurons fire in different ways, so that senses work more acutely, learned patterns of behavior fall away and barriers to learning come down.
-
Uses Experiential Learning (learning by doing): Research indicates that experiential learning can improve retention rates by up to 75% compared to traditional learning methods, emphasizing the importance of engaging with material actively rather than passively. Studies show that students who participate in experiential learning programs develop critical thinking skills more effectively, with 80% of participants reporting improved ability to analyze and evaluate situations. Additionally, experiential learning approaches have been linked to higher levels of student engagement, with 90% of learners expressing a greater interest in course material when they are involved in hands-on experiences. Furthermore, findings suggest that up to 85% of students believe that experiential learning allows them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, bridging the gap between academia and practical application.
-
Bio-Feedback & Co-Regulation: Horses and humans can co-regulate their heart and respiratory rates through a process known as biofeedback. When a horse and rider interact, their heart rates can synchronize, leading to a state known as co-regulation. See the Resource page for additional information on this. It’s magical!
Benefits of Equine-Assisted Programs for Adolescents?
-
Improved Emotional Awareness: Interacting with horses helps children and teens recognize and articulate their emotions better.
-
Enhanced Social Skills: Engaging in group activities with horses fosters teamwork and communication skills.
-
Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem: Successfully handling and working with a horse can boost self-confidence and promote a positive self-image.
-
Stress Relief: The presence of horses can be calming, providing a soothing environment that reduces anxiety.
-
Development of Responsibility: Caring for a horse instills a sense of responsibility and commitment in young individuals.
-
Promotes Physical Activity: Equine activities encourage movement and physical engagement, contributing to overall health and fitness.
-
Better Learning Outcomes: Experiential learning through horses can enhance academic performance by integrating hands-on experiences with traditional learning.
-
Improved Attention and Focus: Working with horses requires concentration, helping to improve attention spans and focus among participants.
-
Building Trust and Rapport: Children learn to build trust with the horse, which can translate into improved trust in relationships with peers and adults.
-
Therapeutic Benefits: Equine-assisted learning can serve as a form of therapy, helping those with behavioral and psychological challenges to cope better.
Interesting Statistics:
-
Equine-assisted learning (EAL) integrates horses into educational and therapeutic settings to enhance personal development, learning, and emotional growth.
-
Research indicates that EAL can improve interpersonal communication skills by 75% among participants.
-
Participants in EAL programs often report a 60% increase in self-esteem and confidence post-interaction with horses.
-
Statistics show that 70% of individuals who engage in equine-assisted activities experience reduced stress levels.
-
EAL programs can lead to improved team-building skills, with approximately 80% of teams reporting enhanced collaboration after participating in such activities.
-
A study revealed that 90% of participants felt a deeper connection to their emotions after completing an EAL program.
-
Furthermore, 85% of individuals with disabilities who engage in equine-assisted activities reported significant improvements in physical coordination and balance.
-
Long-term follow-ups indicated that 65% of participants continued to apply skills learned during EAL sessions in their daily lives.
-
Lastly, 78% of educators observed positive behavioral changes in students following EAL interventions, emphasizing the program's effectiveness in fostering emotional regulation.
