equine assisted therapy

Equine Assisted Learning

For building emotional resilience,
social skills and independence

What is equine assisted learning or EAL?

EAL is an innovative form of experiential learning. It involves providing clients with "safe" experiences with horses to explore empathy in relationships, cultivate self-awareness, develop social and emotional skills, boost confidence and self-worth, learn boundary-setting, and foster other meaningful connections.

EAL can be instrumental in personal and professional development, as well as in enhancing leadership skills within teams and individuals.

Our approach to Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is founded on the Horse Wisdom Program® by the Equine Psychotherapy Institute.

Why Horses?

Horses are sensitive, authentic and intuitive beings capable of interpreting our emotions through non-verbal cues. Calm and healthy horses can co-regulate a client's nervous system, exemplify healthy expression of feelings, and create a non-judgmental atmosphere of safety and trust. They offer distinctive bio-behavioral feedback, actively engage clients in the learning process, and provide a unique level of support that often differs from what is found in traditional learning environments. This can be particularly supportive for our NDIS clients.

A compilation of studies exploring the benefits of equine-assisted therapy can be found here.

“Michelle’s gentle guidance helped both my daughter and I understand the powerful emotions coming up for us and how they impact others. We learnt some skills on regulating ourselves and finding inner calm in an absolutely stunning environment with just gorgeous horses.”

— Vanessa

Psycho-educational and social-emotional skill development

  • Effective communication

  • Noticing and awareness of others

  • The calm state

  • Belonging

  • Safe boundaries

  • Confidence and self worth

  • Nature exploration

  • Thoughts and feelings

  • Safe relationships

  • Energy and play

Session info

When you arrive at Edenhope for equine assisted learning, you will be greeted at your vehicle and escorted to the session area.

The 50 min session may commence with guided self-regulation, introduction of session/Horse Wisdom Program® theme, safety briefing, and equine experience. This may include horse observation, meeting with horses at liberty, lead-line experiences including touching, grooming and leading.

If you have a 75 min parent/child relationship building session, we will provide a country style morning or afternoon tea.

We will debrief any learnings or insights gained at the conclusion of the session and then you will be farewelled at your vehicle.

What to expect

Who we work with

  • Individuals, community groups, families, corporate groups, school groups. Group size and facilitator/participant ratio will depend on the needs and ages of group members.

  • Ages 6+ years

  • NDIS clients - self and plan managed.

What EAL is not

  • Horsemanship

  • Horse riding or hippotherapy

“Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope.”

— Toni Robinson

Fee Schedule

 Private Equine Assisted Learning 50-60 min session  -  $150

Joint session (2 persons ie parent/child) 75 mins including morning or afternoon tea - $195

For school term bookings, please email info@edenhopepsychotherapy.au or call us on 0412 326 431 to arrange a weekly, fortnightly or monthly booking.

Looking for a group or holiday program?

See more details on our Nature-based holiday programs, or our Horse Wisdom group programs for children, teens and adults, or for more on customising a group program to suit your organisation