Who would benefit from Equine Facilitated Learning?

Ground breaking results and progress has been seen in these areas:

• Children and Adults with attachment difficulties, ADHD, ADD, autism

• Children, adolescents and adults with challenging backgrounds

• Exclusion from school and social groups

• Physical and learning disabilities

• Transitions

• People at risk of isolation

• Illness, trauma, stress, depression

• Schools, college and university students- exam and social pressures

• Corporate organisation and teams (management and team-building skills)

• Endings and beginnings, employment or retirement

• Obsessions, addictions, social media, gaming and food, to name a few!

Simple answer is, anyone can benefit from equine facilitated learning.

I have experienced traumatised children who are operating at extremely high anxiety and stress levels and find interacting with peers, family members and authority figures almost impossible.

Many find the challenge of school terrifying, worry about failure or not being good enough, standing out or looking different, not having up to date technology or fancy trainers. They are trying to cope with these feelings before even starting to contemplate a maths or English lesson.

The child/young person/adult usually displays their utter fear and anxiety through disruptive, sometimes violent behaviour, as their only coping mechanism to avoid, deflect, and repel people. They really want someone to set boundaries, listen, understand, to just know how they are feeling and to be able to trust them. This doesn’t come or get earned instantly. They want to feel safe but many have never felt this in their lives.

Yet surround them in nature, with a horse in tow and I’ve seen magical connections, conversations open up, an angry violent child instantly changing before my eyes as I witness the bond that is built between them and the horse. Perhaps the child suggesting that they help clear the field and begging to return the following week, expressing that they will be good at school and home so that they can come.

So many life and educational skills are gained, from learning to respect, trust, building self-confidence, and discovering their own worth. As well as just generally being outside in the fresh air, surrounded by nature and partaking in physical, creative activities. They may begin to develop relationships, work as a team, as well as start to manage their anger and anxiety. The possibilities are endless, when given the time, encouragement and support.