Educational Opportunities
Families can engage in equine health activities and education together by taking part in Family Equine Assisted Learning. Families can learn about equine anatomy, behaviour, and care through this shared participation, which promotes a group learning process. Beyond the short-term gains, this experiential learning method contributes to a wider range of shared knowledge and exploration within the family while strengthening ties between family members and offering a deeper awareness of the equine world. How do we show up for our horses? Are we angry, rushed, irritated? If something goes wrong, do we immediately blame the horse, or do we generously ask ourselves if OUR communication was clear? Were we paying attention to our partners? Were we tuned in to their non-verbal communication? Do we allow our partners to say no? Or do we just impose our own wants on them. We can translate this into our family members - is each family member allowed to be who they are ? Their own authentic self? We can offer a discounted rate for families up to 4 kids, but all participants need to be booked in advance. Please do not show up with unannounced visitors (or dogs) due to our insurance requirements. Thank you!
Problem Solving and Decision Making
As families deal with the particular difficulties that come with working with horses horses, Family Equine Assisted Learning entails cooperative problem-solving and decision-making exercises. Who will work with which horse? What are the goals of this session? Are we listening to the horse, or just using them as a vehicle to get them to do what we want? Are we allowing the horse to be an authentic family member with us? Or do we just command them to do what we wish? Is this how we treat family members? Are we present with our horse. or patting them with one hand and texting with the other? Is this how we WANT to show up in our lives with others? In addition to improving problem-solving abilities, this promotes a cooperative strategy for conquering challenges and teaches valuable lessons that may be applied to many facets of family life.
Quality Time
Family Equine Assisted Learning is a great way for families to spend quality time together by participating in activities like riding, grooming, or just spending time in the stable. Through these shared experiences, families are better able to communicate and work together in a special and enriching environment. Most of our sessions start with catching your horse, followed by grooming and checking for state of health and injuries. After this, we put on their tack if we are riding, ensuring the comfort of the horse. Then, we ride - either trail ride or arena riding. After this, we take off their gear, and clean it, groom our horse, put them away, and clean up after ourselves. Everyone looks after their own horse (if they are physically and mentally able to), teaching accountability, care, ownership and empathy.