Experiential learning
for humans with horses
Equine-assisted services, and equine-facilitated learning, can help develop and improve skills including emotional awareness, communication, problem solving, boundary setting, and creativity through goal-oriented, groundwork (non-riding) activities. No horse experience necessary.
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Experiential learning alongside horses
Equine-assisted services, and equine-facilitated learning, can help develop and improve skills including emotional awareness, communication, problem solving, boundary setting, and creativity through goal-oriented, groundwork (non-riding) activities. No horse experience necessary.
Scroll to Learn More
What Human-Horse Activities Can Offer
Each participant will have different goals, needs, and focus areas we’ll work on together
SPACE TO SLOW DOWN, BE PRESENT
A horse’s larger heart and slower cardiovascular system help to naturally slow a participant’s system simply by being nearby–often called “co-regulation”.
INCREASED SELF AWARENESS
As non-judgemental mirrors, horses reflect and externalize what a participant feels increasing self-awareness and ability to experiment new ways of being.
IMRPOVED COMMUNICATION
Horses use direct and honest non-verbal communication by default encouraging participants to practice expressing their own needs clearly and assertively.
SELF-ASSUREDNESS & CONFIDENCE
Hands-on activities with horses like grooming and leading build skills including active non-verbal listening, attunement, and how to set boundaries.
FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON CHALLENGES
A horse’s differing way of life from a human’s helps participants see day to day challenges differently inviting exploration of new ways to think and respond.
How it Works
Horses are large animals, but they’re also prey animals, which means they’re wired to notice everything around them to stay safe from predators. Their bodies are highly sensitive–it’s as if they have invisible feelers that can pick up how you’re feeling from upward of 12 arms lengths away.
When you’re with a horse, they can immediately sense whether you feel calm, excited, worried, sad, or something else, and they respond in their own way through non-verbal communication—through their body language. There are no “right” or “wrong” feelings or behavioral patterns. The horse simply helps you notice what’s going on by how they move around you in a shared space.
Once the horse brings awareness to how you’re feeling or behaving, you can decide, in conversation with a facilitator, “Do I want to keep doing this?” or “Do I want to try something new?” In partnership with a facilitator, a horse can support you in learning what works for you and what doesn’t, so you can choose what feels right for you in session and carry that into your day-to-day life.
Testimonials
Working with the horses in such a mindful and intentional way helped me slow down and tune into myself. I came away from the workshop with a clearer understanding of what it feels like to be present and in my body as well as how I can start to practice that more in my day to day. – Shena Y.
This experience helped me reflect on how I respond to uncertainty. I was nervous about one horse in particular, but by the end it was like we were old friends. Building trust with him at my own pace helped me see my internal patterns, and approach that unfamiliarity with less fear. – Eric M.
My daughter is experienced with horses, riding regularly, but this was a very different experience. It gave her the space to connect in a new way. Through observation, grooming, and leading she gained new awareness about how she builds relationships beyond words. – Max M.
What Human-Horse Activities Can Offer
Each participant will have different focus areas we’ll work on together
SPACE TO SLOW DOWN
A horse’s larger heart and slower cardiovascular system help to naturally slow a participant’s system simply by being nearby–often called “co-regulation”.
INCREASED SELF AWARENESS
As non-judgemental mirrors, horses reflect and externalize what a participant feels increasing self-awareness and ability to experiment new ways of being.
IMPROVED COMMUNICATION
Horses use direct and honest non-verbal communication by default encouraging participants to practice expressing their own needs clearly and assertively.
SELF-ASSUREDNESS
Hands-on activities with horses like grooming and leading build skills including active non-verbal listening, attunement, and how to set boundaries.
FRESH PERSPECTIVE
A horse’s differing way of life from a human’s helps participants see day to day challenges differently inviting exploration of new ways to think and respond.
How it Works
Horses are large animals, but they’re also prey animals, which means they’re wired to notice everything around them to stay safe from predators. Their bodies are highly sensitive–it’s as if they have invisible feelers that can pick up how you’re feeling from upward of 12 arms lengths away.
When you’re with a horse, they can immediately sense whether you feel calm, excited, worried, sad, or something else, and they respond in their own way through non-verbal communication—through their body language. There are no “right” or “wrong” feelings or behavioral patterns. The horse simply helps you notice what’s going on by how they move around you in a shared space.
Once the horse brings awareness to how you’re feeling or behaving, you can decide, in conversation with a facilitator, “Do I want to keep doing this?” or “Do I want to try something new?” In partnership with a facilitator, a horse can support you in learning what works for you and what doesn’t, so you can choose what feels right for you in session and carry that into your day-to-day life.
Example Session
Natalie is currently only offering unmounted sessions.
Sessions are on the ground, alongside the horse(s), NO riding.
Goals, Today’s Needs
Safety & Grounding
Human-Horse Activity
Session Recap
Follow-up Plan
Example Session
Sessions are on ground alongside the horses–no riding or mounted time.
Goals, Today’s Needs
Safety & Grounding
Human-Horse Activity
Session Recap
Follow-up Plan
Testimonials
Working with the horses in such a mindful and intentional way helped me slow down and tune into myself. I came away from the workshop with a clearer understanding of what it feels like to be present and in my body as well as how I can start to practice that more in my day to day. – Shena Y.
This experience helped me reflect on how I respond to uncertainty. I was nervous about one particular horse, but by the end it was like we were old friends. Building trust with him at my own pace helped me see internal patterns, and approach unfamiliarity with more ease, less fear. – Eric M.
My daughter is experienced with horses, riding regularly, but this was a very different experience. It gave her the space to connect in a new way. Through observation, grooming, and leading she gained new awareness of how she builds relationships beyond words. – Max M.
The Unique Power of Human-Horse Collaboration
Why Do this Work with Horses?
HUMAN-HORSE HISTORY
For over 300 centuries, humans and horses have worked side by side—a partnership as enduring as time itself.
LIVE IN THE HERE & NOW
Horses live fully in the present inviting us to step out of our internal narratives (past, future) and return to the here and now.
NATURAL CALMING EFFECT
A horse’s slower cardiovascular rhythm can lower our heart rate and reduce our stress simply by standing beside them.
LEADERSHIP SEEKING
As prey animals, horses rely on strong leadership for survival and often look to humans to fill that role when partnering.
SENTIENT, MIRROR FEELINGS
Horses sense and respond to our most subtle emotional shifts, helping us feel seen and deepening internal awareness.
WIDE-REACHING EMF
With an electromagnetic field five times larger than ours (~50ft), horses can attune to humans with remarkable speed.
NON-JUDGEMENTAL
A horse’s unconditional acceptance creates a safe, judgment-free space to try new behaviors and build confidence.
DIRECT COMMUNICATORS
Free from human systems and structures, horses show us what it means to live authentically and unapologetically.
The Unique Power of Human-Horse Collaboration
Human-Horse Collaboration
Why Horses?
LIVE IN THE HERE & NOW
Horses live fully in the present inviting us to step out of our internal narratives (past, future) and return to the here and now.
SENTIENT, MIRROR FEELINGS
Horses sense and respond to our most subtle emotional shifts, helping us feel seen and deepening internal awareness.
NON-JUDGEMENTAL
A horse’s unconditional acceptance creates a safe, judgment-free space to try new behaviors and build confidence.
NATURAL CALMING EFFECT
A horse’s slower cardiovascular rhythm can lower our heart rate and reduce our stress simply by standing beside them.
Let’s Schedule Time to Talk
Have more questions? Ready to start your Equine-Facilitated Learning journey?
Let’s Set a Time to Chat
Have more questions? Ready to start your Equine-Facilitated Learning journey?