At Riverlands Rise, we often encounter one of the most common questions from curious individuals and parents alike: Does our Equine Assisted Learning program include riding? Understandably, there is a desire for riding to be part of the experience, as many envision it as an enjoyable and exciting activity. As someone who was once that child yearning for riding opportunities, I can empathise with these sentiments. However, it is essential to recognise that the purpose and goals of Equine Assisted Learning differ significantly from those of recreational riding.
Equine Assisted Learning programs have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their numerous benefits in promoting personal growth, emotional well-being, and learning skills. While horse riding is often associated with equestrian activities, it is important to note that riding is not a component of Equine Assisted Learning programs. In this blog, we will explore the reasons why riding is not typically offered in EAL programs and highlight the unique advantages.
Focus on Non-Riding Activities:
Equine Assisted Learning programs prioritise non-riding activities to foster experiential learning, emotional connection, and personal growth. Through carefully structured activities, participants engage with horses, developing self-reflection, communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation skills. Horses, with their ability to mirror human emotions and provide feedback, facilitate learning and understanding of oneself and others.
Ground-based activities form the core of our programs, allowing participants to establish deep connections with horses. Grooming, obstacle courses, trust-building exercises, and non-verbal communication activities are among the experiences offered. These hands-on encounters promote experiential learning, enabling direct interaction with horses, observation of their responses, and reflection on gained insights. Essential life skills are nurtured through these encounters.
Our EAL programs intentionally exclude riding to prioritise a learning-focused environment for personal growth and the acquisition of valuable life skills through engaging with horses. We prioritize activities that promote learning and connections with horses, without the focus on riding skills. Participants often find non-riding activities offer unique and profound growth opportunities surpassing those of riding alone.
Equine-Assisted Learning vs. Recreational Riding:
Equine Assisted Learning programs and riding have distinct purposes. EAL focuses on personal growth, social skills, emotional well-being, and achieving specific goals through meaningful relationships with horses. Recreational riding, like trail riding or riding lessons, emphasises the enjoyment of riding and developing riding skills. EAL prioritises personal growth and the therapeutic bond with horses, while riding primarily focuses on honing and developing equestrian abilities.
Accessible and Inclusive Nature:
By excluding riding from Equine Assisted Learning programs, the barriers to participation are significantly reduced. Riding requires physical capabilities, a level of confidence and skills like balance, and coordination, making it inaccessible to some individuals with physical disabilities or limitations. By focusing on non-riding activities, EAL programs open the doors to a wider range of participants, including those with mobility challenges or special needs. This inclusivity promotes a sense of belonging and ensures that the benefits of working with horses can be experienced by a diverse population.
Building Emotional Connections:
Horses have a unique ability to mirror human emotions, providing immediate feedback and opportunities for self-reflection. Equine Assisted Learning programs capitalise on this characteristic by engaging participants in ground-based activities which foster emotional connections, trust-building, and enhanced self-awareness. By maintaining a non-riding focus, participants have more opportunities to develop these connections and build meaningful relationships with the horses, which can lead to profound learning and personal growth.
Versatile Approach:
Equine Assisted Learning programs offer a versatile and adaptable approach and facilitators can tailor and adapt exercises to address specific objectives or to focus on what happens to arrive in the moment. The versatility of Equine Assisted programs enables their application in various contexts, such as psychotherapy, counseling, trauma recovery, team building, leadership development, self-discovery, and educational programs. This flexibility allows for a wide range of uses within the Equine Assisted Therapy sphere.
Conclusion:
While riding horses holds its own set of benefits and enjoyment, it is not a component of our Equine Assisted Learning programs. By partnering with horses on the ground, we foster deep emotional connections. Connecting to a horse with your heart, your mind, and all your senses can be a truly life-changing moment. That's what Riverlands Rise offer.
While riding may be an amazing experience, we invite you to explore the distinctive benefits of Equine Assisted Learning at Riverlands Rise, where personal growth takes centre stage, guided by the wisdom and grace of our beautiful herd.
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