Equine-guided education

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Equine-guided education, also known as equine-assisted learning and equine-assisted professional development, is a relatively new field of experiential learning for corporate, professional and personal development, experienced by horsemen and women throughout history and across the globe and recently re-conceptualized by a group of facilitators and motivators. Notably, Ariana Strozzi, Linda Kohanov, Chris Irwin and myriad others.

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[edit] Benefits

By working closely with a horse or horses, a person learns better self-understanding. The size and true nature of the horse, usually at liberty (without tack and/or physical attachments of any kind) serves as metaphor for personal obstacles and challenges that are then processed conversationally, through journaling, or other personally expressed outlets. Program benefits include improved communication skills, team-building skills, healthier relationships, improved self confidence and self esteem, improved personal work ethics, greater recognition of responsibility, appropriate assertiveness and self discovery.

[edit] Roles and structures

According to the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association equine-guided education utilizes and develops "Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving, leadership, work, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence, and attitude".[1]

Horses communicate with each other by body language and voice. Further, they often react to human body language as well. As large and powerful animals, some people find them intimidating - others empowering. Working with a horse, in spite of that fear, gives those people the opportunity to overcome fear and develop confidence. It also provides opportunities to discuss other intimidating and challenging situations.

Horses, as social animals, have defined roles within their herds. Just like people and many other intelligent animals, they have distinct personalities. This means that previously successful methods may not always work, and that participants may need to adjust their approach for each animal. This allows participants to discuss how they may need to adjust their approach in other situations.

During some sessions, participants engage in team-emphasized, ground activities with each other and with the horses. Throughout each task, facilitators make note of individual challenges and perceived 'successes'. Attention is paid to both the behaviour of the participant(s) and the horses.

At the end of each exercise is a group discussion, called a debriefing or processing. This requires participation from all enagaged in the experience, with the facilitator stimulating participant involvement and conversation. Experiences of participants are discussed to extract particpant's reactions, perceptions and feelings. The design of each session is to draw out the dynamics of the human-vs-horse and individual-vs-group interaction and to bridge the gap between exercises in the arena and the participants' normal experience.

[edit] Official recognition

Horses are used in many forms of therapeutic programs such as hippotherapy, therapeutic horseback riding and horse-assisted psychotherapy. However, as such a new field, equine-guided education is not recognised as a therapeutic program and different practitioners have applied different labels. There are a number of organisations such as the European Association for Horse Assisted Education and the Equine Guided Education Association (in the USA) attempting to set standards and regulations in this field. Yearly conferences are held by these groups with various degrees of international attendance.

[edit] Training and Certification

There are a number of locations who provide training and or certification in Equine Guided Education.

[edit] Strozzi Ranch

Ariana Strozzi coined the term Equine Guided Education in 2000 and has been offering a nationally (USA) recognized certification program in equine guided education since 2000.

[edit] Cartier Equine Learning Center

The Cartier Equine Learning Center, was the first Canadian organization to have received national recognition for their certified equine-assisted learning program. This was achieved in 2006.

[edit] External links

[edit] Organizations

[edit] Learning Centres - USA

[edit] Learning Centres - Canada

[edit] Learning Centres - Europe

[edit] Articles