Equine Assisted Learning
At Ruby Hill Equine Centre, we believe that horses are powerful teachers with a unique ability to reflect our emotions and behaviours, offering profound insights into ourselves. Their honesty and sensitivity make them incredible partners in personal growth and learning. We understand that meaningful growth happens through connection, and building a bond with a horse fosters trust, empathy, and understanding skills that naturally enhance relationships and communication in everyday life.
Equine Assisted Learning is a facilitation based educational and therapeutic experience with horses within a group format or one on one, and focuses on ground activities rather than riding, although most of our participants do ride, or be led by a support worker.
The programs offered are flexible and offered as the client leads. We are also able to develop programs that suit the participants needs, goals, and hopes. Participants acquire a new understanding of self, their behaviours, skills, values and preferences in a fun, safe and exciting atmosphere. Our programs build self-esteem, self-confidence, and leadership through validated, hands-on experiences
There are many options which are available for the participants.
Firstly they may just like to familiarise themselves with farm life, the noises and the smells, and participate in some relaxing mindfulness brushing, touch and warmth from the horse, emotional regulation and heartbeat synchronisation
Activities on the ground with the horse include doing the horses mane and tail with products, plaits or whatever takes their fancy. They can paint the horses hooves with nourishing moisturizing products and feed the horse treats.
This can take up the whole hour if they wish or we can move forward to preparing a horse or pony for putting equipment on for leading and/or riding.
If chosen, the next step can be to lead the horse into the riding area, leading your horse over especially placed obstacles to build trust between the partnership, encourage communication between horse and leader, understanding of each others fears and limitations.
Once again here we can decide wether to lead the horse around the activities or mount the horse with their assistant.
Whichever choice is made we will assist the participant through this and end the session on a positive note.
As with all capacity building or new skills being developed, its little by little and patience and enjoyment whilst learning is important to us.