Why horses?
Horses have proven to be very effective at facilitating change through learning.
Here are some reasons why:
Community – Horses live in herds and model how to live in community. They do things for the good of the whole, not for the self. They also share our need for social interaction, providing supportive learning experiences.
Beauty – horses draw attention and evoke feelings.
Touch – Horses can provide comforting physical contact where professionals can’t always.
Size and Risk– the size and speed of horses demand attention and strongly supports clients to be mindful. People can learn the importance of being present and aware and in their bodies as a risk mitigation strategy.
Sensitivity – Horses are very sensitive to our emotions and know what people are feeling better than we do.
Communication – Horses provide instant feedback to clients making it easier for them to see what needs to change.
Embodied – they live in their body with their senses and feelings.
Awareness – with heightened sensing capabilities they are masters in awareness.
Always Connected to their Environment – horses live in constant interaction with everything around them.
Self-regulation – horses tend to naturally attempt to meet their needs or ‘interests’ and engage fully in the cycle of experience.
Energetic contact– they are responsive to energetic contact, and this provides useful feedback to participants.
Heart Connection – Horses have big hearts with big emotions and can form heart-connections with people. Horses are capable of love and show their love in various ways which help people to heal and grow.