What is Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)?
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a hands-on approach that uses interactions with horses to help children and teens develop important life skills. Through purposeful activities, participants can build confidence, communication, emotional regulation, empathy, problem-solving, and healthy relationship skills.
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a hands-on approach that uses interactions with horses to help children and teens develop important life skills. Through purposeful activities, participants can build confidence, communication, emotional regulation, empathy, problem-solving, and healthy relationship skills.
What is the difference between EAL and Equine-Assisted Therapy?
EAL focuses on learning and personal growth through hands-on activities with horses. Equine-Assisted Therapy incorporates horses into a therapeutic process led by a licensed mental health professional to support emotional, behavioral, or mental health goals. We offer both. Both modalities have similar features and benefits
EAL focuses on learning and personal growth through hands-on activities with horses. Equine-Assisted Therapy incorporates horses into a therapeutic process led by a licensed mental health professional to support emotional, behavioral, or mental health goals. We offer both. Both modalities have similar features and benefits
Is there a fee and do you offer scholarships or financial assistance?
Yes. Our 8-week program is valued at $360, but thanks to grant support, families currently pay just $260. We also offer additional financial assistance through a sliding-scale payment option to help make our programs accessible to more families.
Please reach out directly about the cost for Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions.
Yes. Our 8-week program is valued at $360, but thanks to grant support, families currently pay just $260. We also offer additional financial assistance through a sliding-scale payment option to help make our programs accessible to more families.
Please reach out directly about the cost for Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions.
Does my child get to ride a horse?
No. All our activities are ground-based, meaning children learn and interact with the horses without riding. The horse becomes a partner in hands-on, experiential learning. No previous horse experience is necessary. Activities can be adapted to the child's developmental level, abilities, comfort level, and goals.
No. All our activities are ground-based, meaning children learn and interact with the horses without riding. The horse becomes a partner in hands-on, experiential learning. No previous horse experience is necessary. Activities can be adapted to the child's developmental level, abilities, comfort level, and goals.
What if my child is afraid or nervous around the horses?
That's okay! Participants are never expected to immediately feel comfortable. Building trust, confidence, and a sense of safety can be part of the experience itself. We meet our participants right where they are.
That's okay! Participants are never expected to immediately feel comfortable. Building trust, confidence, and a sense of safety can be part of the experience itself. We meet our participants right where they are.
What ages of children can participate?
Our programs are for school aged children and teens. We offer programs for the elementary, middle and high school level.
Our programs are for school aged children and teens. We offer programs for the elementary, middle and high school level.
How can my child/teen benefit from working with horses?
Equine-Assisted Services can help children and teens build confidence, improve emotional regulation and communication, develop empathy and relationship skills, strengthen problem-solving skills, and increase self-awareness and resilience—all through meaningful, hands-on experiences with horses.
Equine-Assisted Services can help children and teens build confidence, improve emotional regulation and communication, develop empathy and relationship skills, strengthen problem-solving skills, and increase self-awareness and resilience—all through meaningful, hands-on experiences with horses.
How can horses help children develop confidence?
Horses provide children with opportunities to try new things, overcome challenges, make choices, and build trust. As they experience success and strengthen their connection with their equine partner, children can develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Horses provide children with opportunities to try new things, overcome challenges, make choices, and build trust. As they experience success and strengthen their connection with their equine partner, children can develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Can children with disabilities or different learning needs participate?
Yes! Our programs can be adapted to meet the individual needs, abilities, and comfort levels of each child. We strive to make Equine-Assisted Services welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for all children and teens
Yes! Our programs can be adapted to meet the individual needs, abilities, and comfort levels of each child. We strive to make Equine-Assisted Services welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for all children and teens
What happens during a typical session?
Each session includes hands-on activities with the horses that are designed around specific learning or therapeutic goals. Participants may groom, lead, observe, or complete activities with their equine partners while practicing skills such as communication, emotional regulation, confidence, and problem-solving.
Each session includes hands-on activities with the horses that are designed around specific learning or therapeutic goals. Participants may groom, lead, observe, or complete activities with their equine partners while practicing skills such as communication, emotional regulation, confidence, and problem-solving.
How are the horses involved in the learning or therapeutic process?
Horses provide a unique, nonjudgmental partner for learning and growth. Their responses and behaviors give children opportunities to practice communication, build trust, manage emotions, make choices, and develop healthy relationships in real time.
Horses provide a unique, nonjudgmental partner for learning and growth. Their responses and behaviors give children opportunities to practice communication, build trust, manage emotions, make choices, and develop healthy relationships in real time.
How are children kept safe around the horses?
Safety is always our priority. Participants are supervised by trained staff and taught how to safely interact with and care for the horses. Activities are carefully planned based on each child's age, abilities, comfort level, and needs.
Safety is always our priority. Participants are supervised by trained staff and taught how to safely interact with and care for the horses. Activities are carefully planned based on each child's age, abilities, comfort level, and needs.
Are sessions individual or group-based?
We provide individual and group sessions. Our program activities are built around the needs of the individuals we are working with.
We provide individual and group sessions. Our program activities are built around the needs of the individuals we are working with.
How long is each session?
Each session is one hour long.
Each session is one hour long.
What should my child wear to participate?
Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that allows them to move freely. Closed-toe shoes are required (no crocs please), and clothing should be appropriate for working around horses and getting dirty. Please avoid loose clothing or accessories that could become a safety concern.
Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that allows them to move freely. Closed-toe shoes are required (no crocs please), and clothing should be appropriate for working around horses and getting dirty. Please avoid loose clothing or accessories that could become a safety concern.
How do I register my child or learn more about your programs?
Visit our Equine Assisted Program page here
Visit our Equine Assisted Program page here