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"Some benefits of appropriate and mutually successful interaction with horses:

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• Immediate reduction of anxiety and release from fear and worry
• An experience of positive emotions 
• Greater compassion for ourselves and others
• Improved social interactions and enhanced communication
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure 
• Increase in the release of beta-endorphins
• Improvement in self-esteem, patience and ability to trust
• More confidence and a sense of empowerment
• Greater connection to nature and all life
• Increased abilities to focus and be centred
• An opportunity to play and interact successfully with another species
• A unique, inspirational, creative and hugely enjoyable experience"

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(Frank Levinson)

 

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Edit : Updated in 2020...while we no longer conduct regular EFL sessions, the theory behind the research into how horses help humans regulate and improve their relationship with self and others remains valid.

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Below is a copy of a piece written by a former business associate and trained Facilitator (among many other things), Elizabeth Denniss. Elizabeth is a Level 2 accredited Facilitator with Australian Equine Facilitated Learning Pty Ltd. She was the Program Co-ordinator for the Bridgetown Disability Services Commission funded EFL Program. 

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BACKGROUND

 

“Contemporary clinical research shows that close proximity to horses changes human brain wave patterns suggesting that humans can be transformed in a very positive way when in the presence of horses. Therefore appropriate interaction with horses should prove therapeutic to adults and children alike” (Equine Facilitated Learning Australia Pty Ltd).

 

Equine Facilitated Learning is an exciting field incorporating horses into human development, growth and learning. Over the past 25 years this field has blossomed because interacting with horses is a profound, unique way to learn about the self, review life, get in touch with one’s authenticity, life purpose and passions. It is a creative way to develop new skills and insights.

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​Horses are intuitive, sentient, serious, playful, honest and patient.

 

Equine Facilitated Learning is a missing piece in educational and learning models because it breaks the bonds of structure, routine and regimented, memory-retention based logical learning. Instead, Equine Facilitated Learning engages both spheres of the brain and learning becomes easy - part of the natural flow of life.  Equine Facilitated Learning works because horses listen and respond to what is happening on the inside of a person. They sense when a person is afraid, timid, angry, calm, sad, grieving or balanced. They sense who we are behind our façade and will always tell us when we are not aligned mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

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EQUINE FACILITATED LEARNING EXPLAINED

 

Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) is an interaction between horses and people that is designed to promote experiential learning for all participants.  EFL promotes strategies to attain healthier relationships, improve social and family dynamics, social behaviour and inclusion, enhance self esteem, improve awareness of actions and consequences, improve communication, co-ordination and motor skills and increase focus, observation, self control and self awareness. EFL also promotes the mindfulness of being truly present, in each moment, which can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

 

Contemporary clinical research shows that close proximity to horses can change human brain wave patterns suggesting that humans can be transformed in a very positive way when in the presence of horses.  Horses interact with people without judgement or preconception.  This allows the opportunity for self-review from a clear perspective while learning from horses the value of trust and honest communication.  Horses listen and respond to what is happening on the inside of a person.  They can sense if we are afraid, timid, angry, calm or balanced.  They sense if we are truly present, in the moment with them and they want to know if we really care about what we are asking of them. 

 

For the horse there is only fear or trust - the horse either trusts that it is safe or is fearful that it is not. Understanding this enables us to realize that if a person can help a horse to feel safe then the horse will accept the person as a herd leader. 

 

Sharing an insight into herd dynamics with EFL participants can allow them to learn how their behaviours can have a profound effect not just on the horse but on the people in their lives.

 

Franklin Levinson, a pioneer in the world of horse - human healing dynamics explained his perspective on EFL in an essay contained in “Horsemanship Essays by Franklin Levinson”:

 

“There is a whole world of horses that has nothing to do with the human activity of riding horses. Nearly 100% of camps with activities involving horses only teach riding skills and equine maintenance (mucking stalls, grooming, saddling and feeding). The real or natural world of the horse is one based on relationships. These relationships hold the herd together and assure its survival. At the core of these inter-herd associations are mutual feelings of trust, respect, confidence in the leader and a connectedness that is always present between all the members of the group. There are no feelings of separation at any time. It has become apparent to me, as an equine professional for nearly 40 years, that teaching equine relationship and communication skills assure successful outcomes with the interactions between horses and humans. These are the same skills that are required for successful relationships in all areas of human endeavour”.

 

Developing leadership attributes within the realm of EFL is not about dominating or controlling the horse.  The concept of being the leader is reframed so that the human becomes the guide who sets the direction and purpose of what the horse and human are doing together, while the horse becomes the guide on the emotional-spiritual realm.  This can be very empowering for EFL participants. Allowing the horse to be the sensate being it is and stepping away from the model of having to control the horse, the EFL process focuses on allowing the horse to reflect how participants are being, distinct from how they think they are being.  This sets the scene for personal development that is individually tailored to the needs and capacity of each participant.

 

The interaction between the horse and the participant is carefully overseen in a manner designed to foster confidence and self esteem.  The presence of a therapy horse seems to release limiting beliefs held by the participants (and their families and carers).  This creates the opportunity for the participant to experience a new way of being.  Skilled facilitators allow participants (including the horse!) the space to grow, develop and flourish in order to achieve their full potential.

 

In their insightful book on the benefits of equine therapy “Horse Sense and the Human Heart” psychotherapists Adele von Rust McCormick, PhD and Marlene Deborah McCormick PhD, state:

 

“A horse’s ability to connect with people is uncanny. Its size and presence somehow force us to become physically, mentally and spiritually more aware and more human. This elevated state of consciousness leads to renewed sensitivity and excitement, quite literally bringing us to our senses.”

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

• Levinson, Franklin.  Horsemanship Essays by Franklin Levinson. Maui:  http://www.wayofthehorse.org/Essays/efl-camps.html, 2001.

• McCormick, Adele, von Rust and McCormick, Marlena Deborah.  Horse Sense and the Human Heart.  Florida:  Health Communications Inc, 1997.

• Kohanov, Linda.  The Tao of Equus. California: New World Library, 2001.

• Strozzi, Ariana.  Planning Your Business IN the “Horse as Healer/Teacher” Professions.  California: Book Surge, 2009.

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