Horses - Equine Assisted
For years, physical therapists have used horseback riding as therapy, where the riding is a means of building coordination and muscle development with its own intrinsic rewards. Somewhat more recently, counselors have used horses to help clients with mental health and or emotional problems. This is also sometimes called equine assisted psychotherapy and the breakthroughs that have been made with clients are amazing and have made us take notice. Finally, corporate trainers and coaches focused on personal growth began to use horses to each leaders and teams about their own behaviors.
Why horses? Over millions of years horses’ survival has been based on their ability to read the “intent” of other animals—i.e. is that tiger here to attack or to get water. Without a complex verbal language, horses are none-the-less able to communicate with one another with subtle (and sometimes not so subtle physical cues). Our long and close connection with the horse has bred a particular sensitivity to our body motions and desires. Often horses respond to how we really feel which we may or may not be fully conscious of. Further, the parallels of horse herd interaction and human interaction are enlightening. From observation and interaction with horse herds, we can gain a different perspective on leadership, setting boundaries, expressing needs, and peripheral awareness.
Horses react authentically to us. They act as a perfect mirror that doesn’t lie, but are also caring creatures not interested in judging us. Their response and actions with us can help us know ourselves and communicate this more effectively to others.
Equine assisted facilitation refers to a set of specifically designed exercises (often on the ground, not riding) with horses and a team of people. The exercises often involve attempting to move one or more horses that are free of any restraint through a series of maneuvers or obstacles. The value of the exercises comes from both the horses responses to the energy and communication of the group and the group’s own process in trying to solve the problem.
Equine assisted facilitation is particularly effective in helping participants become more aware of their communication style, how they interact with groups including their work team, problem solving, and building confidence and appropriate assertiveness. We are indebted to Sheryl Jordan of Kindred Spirits for first showing us the power of collaborating with horses in this way.
A typical equine assisted experience: Communication and Team Development (Full Day)
This unique full day offering uses the incredible sensitivity of horses to teach participants about communication both verbal and non-verbal. The program demonstrates the importance of knowing how to engage in different leadership styles based on an understanding of individual differences. It gives participants an opportunity to practice their observation skills and to practice changing styles of interaction while being authentic to their own feelings. The program does not involve riding and requires no prior horse experience. Staffing for the program includes equine specialist as well as program facilitator. Our horse facilities and partners are Broken Spoke Stable in Pleasant Valley just south of Oakland.
Typical Agenda:
- Prior to arrival—complete mini-assessment providing goals for the work and background about participants
- 20 min Arrival, welcome, introductions and objectives
- 20 min Overview of equipment and safety
- 60 min Observation and introducing horse and herd dynamics—relationship to the team and its dynamics
- 40 min Appendages--Haltering, leading, and saddling horse as an interconnected team
- 30 min Debriefing experience, leadership and learnings
- 90 min Nonverable communication and round pen—changing your own nonverables
- 60-90 min horse billiards and debrief
- 40 min equine high jump & team barriers
- 30 min applying lessons
Upon completion of all programs a follow up report is sent highlighting lessons learned.