Equine assisted learning

HORSEPOWER

Pastures New HORSEPOWER is a learner based educational experience with horses or, more specifically, it is an effective approach to human development through horsemanship.

Participants of all ages can benefit through team emphasised exercises and find themselves learning valuable skills in a fun and exciting atmosphere while working through the dynamics of horses.

One of the many roles our facilitators and horses play is to work as a stimulus. We encourage our participants to think ‘outside the box’ or try on a new role. This is their opportunity to make mistakes. Human behaviour researchers have proven that when one person steps outside of their comfort zone it pushes others toward trying something new and different, this stimulates a fun atmosphere of creative interaction in a safe and controlled environment.

Equine Assisted Learning (Horse Power) is an innovative process that provides education, training, qualifications and setting standards of excellence for horse welfare, for learners, trainers and other professionals. By promoting excellence in the provision of equine assisted learning, we aim to be an exceptional company making a valuable contribution to the welfare of the horse as well as the development and welfare of young people and the wider community.

Programme benefits

  • Developing communication skills, healthy relationships, personal work ethics, responsibility and appropriate assertiveness
  • Learning team building exercises, problem solving skills, to find success over, around or through obstacles
  • To appreciate team members and their contribution, build individual confidence and self esteem
  • Overcoming fear through confidence
  • To observe the nature of horses and recognise its importance to social success; hierarchy and appreciating the value of community

The programme helps its participants to learn:

  • The importance of having distinct personalities, attitudes and moods
  • The value of work and whilst still having fun
  • The process of feelings and behavioural patterns
  • The ‘right way’ is not always the easy way
  • To engage in discussion and activity, to not only learn about horses but themselves

Why horses?

By including horses in specifically designed educational experiences, equine learning facilitators multiply the participants’ rate of success to self-discovery. How? Horses can magnify an individual’s problem immediately, and provide the skilled facilitator with an opportunity to identify an individual’s character.

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man”

Winston Churchill

Horses can’t think over a participant’s motive and horses can’t manipulate their behaviour, but with their intuitive nature and innate sensitivity, horses can provide the facilitator with an insight into the participant’s personality. As facilitators listen to a horse’s non-verbal responses and communication, together they have the ability to walk participants through to finding life-altering change.

Horses don’t judge, but they don’t forget either. They don’t let you cheat or hide your true feelings and their feedback is honest and instant. Learning to listen to what horses have to say is powerful, and can sometimes spur the answer to individual change.

HORSEPOWER has proven to be effective, interesting, exciting, therapeutic, positive, educational and creative.