LEAD offers equine assisted learning (EAL) programs. This experiential approach use horses as co-facilitators in the educational process. Participants actively engage in and reflect upon hands-on activities with horses.
EAL provides opportunities to learn a variety of life skills and to develop self-confidence and self-esteem. Social and emotional skills are developed through participation in purposeful activities.
Attention
Behavioral Regulation
Communication
Cooperation
Coping Skills
Decision Making
Empathy
Empowerment
Focus
Goal Setting
Leadership
Planning
Problem Solving
Relationship Skills
Respect
Self Awareness
Social Skills
Stress Management
Visit the Course Page for a schedule of group classes or register for upcoming programs.
The qualified LEAD with Horses EAP team includes a licensed therapist, horse professional and horse(s). Horses are an integral part of the therapeutic process. Services for individuals ages 10-24 and families.
EAP promotes personal exploration of feelings and behaviors. Our trauma-informed approach uses guided, ground-based activities to focus on mental, emotional, and social health. Rather than providing instruction on particular horsemanship skills, EAP focuses on the client’s needs and includes specific treatment goals facilitated by the treatment team. EAP addresses a variety of mental health and human development needs including:
Anxiety
Attention Deficit Disorder
Behavioral Issues
Depression
Eating Disorders
Grief
Low Self-Esteem
PTSD
Relationship Problems
Why Horses?
- Horses provide remarkable opportunities for metaphorical learning. Clients gain new insights into situations in their own lives and learn to make appropriate and effective changes.
- Horses are social animals. They engage in cooperative and coordinated activities in a herd. Structured, positive interaction with horses provides a foundation to build relationships and interpersonal skills.
- Concepts of empathy, compassion, and connection can be learned within the development of a relationship with a horse.
- As prey animals, horses are extremely sensitive and intuitive. Horses provide honest feedback and compel authenticity. It is more difficult to assign blame to others when working with a horse; equine assisted activities place individuals in a position to take responsibility for their own actions.
- Horses encourage engaged learning; physical and mental work is necessary for success with a horse. Equine assisted activities keep clients motivated and on task.
- Horses’ size and power can be intimidating and therefore offer opportunities to overcome fear and apprehension in order to build confidence and trust.
- Horses provide critical emotional support and bonds.