Herd Connections offers an array of beautifully unique experiences with horses, each tailored to support the individual’s needs.
Our focus is on providing a safe space, a sense of community, where people of all ages can be themselves, without any judgement. A supportive environment that encourages personal growth, self-awareness, and self-confidence.
What is Equine Assisted Learning?
Our Life Skills programs, as well as Horse Powered Reading & Horse Powered Maths are traditional Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). Whereas, our Mindfulness / Self Care Sessions & Introduction to Horse Care Courses, although still classed as EAL, may look a bit different.
Traditional Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is a learner-based educational experience taking place in an outdoor classroom with the horse as the teacher. Participants engage in objectively driven exercises, developing valuable life skills as they go. EAL provides a positive, hands-on, innovative and practical way to learn.
With EAL, the focus is not on horsemanship, but rather on encouraging self-confidence through validated, hands-on experiences.
Equine Assisted Learning helps with:
-
Character Development
-
Social and Emotional Skills
-
Self-Awareness and Self-Confidence
-
Life Skills and Personal Development
-
Team Building and Leadership
EAL can benefit children, adolescents and adults, from all walks of life.
Why Horses?
As a prey animal, safety is the number one priority for a horse. Whilst working with them, horses look to us for leadership, teamwork, trust and respect.
Provide an Insight for Facilitators
As a prey animal, horses are incredibly receptive to their surroundings. They possess the ability to read body language and sense even the slightest physiological change - in both humans and other horses. Horses react to these changes, allowing Herd Connection's skilled facilitator, Sarah, a unique insight into how the participant is really feeling.
Improved Social Skills and Communication
Through interacting with horses, individuals learn to interpret and communicate through nonverbal cues and body language, improving their ability to understand and respond to others.
Stress Reduction / Emotional Regulation
Simply being out in nature and in the presence of a horse can have a calming effect, reducing anxiety, helping to regulate emotions and promoting a sense of well-being.
Create a Safe, Non-Judgemental Space
Horses are non-judgemental. They don’t care what you look like, if you can read or write, what you ate for breakfast or what you’ve done in the past. All that matters to them is the person you are today and how you make them feel in the present. (You definitely get a brownie point or two if you come equipped with a carrot!)
​
Personal Growth & Empowerment
As participants learn to understand and develop a partnership with their equine companions, which given a horse's size, can initially be quite daunting, they gain confidence and a sense of achievement.
In summary, horses:
-
Are non-judgmental
-
Help with communication
-
Seek leadership
-
Encourage engagement
- Promote mindfulness & self-awareness
- Help to build self-confidence