Equine Facilitated Learning
Equine-Facilitated Learning is an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional, and personal goals through equine-assisted activities.
This experiential approach integrates horse-human interaction that is guided by a planned learning experience to meet the identified goals or desires of the participant(s).
Simply put, EFL is where we take individuals who want to help improve their life skills out to work with the horses. Through working with horses and through this process of building relationships and connections they can better learn how they relate to themselves, each other, and their environment.
Studies have shown that interacting with horses can positively impact:
- Decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Creative thinking and critical thinking skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Self-awareness and empathy
- Ability to cope with emotions and cope with stress
- Feeling of empowerment
- Ability to develop healthy connections with others
Why Horses?
Horses live in the present moment and bring themselves into relationship authentically. Horses are highly attuned to human emotions and challenge us to stay congruent with our feelings when relating with them. In return, they offer us non-judgmental and honest feedback, and teach us to be more aware of the connections between our mind, body, and emotions through our breath and body sensations. This allows us the opportunity to make contact with ourselves and our environment and relate to others in a different way.
Who can benefit?
Equine Facilitated Learning is an appropriate educational or development activity that can be helpful to:
- Survivors of abuse or trauma
- Individuals suffering from anxiety or depression
- Individuals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress including Veterans & First Responders
- Individuals on the Autism Spectrum (ASD)
- Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- At-risk youth
- Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD)
- Individuals with a learning disability
- The Aging population
Proud to be part of The Herd Institute
Melissa Yarbrough is certified in Equine Facilitated Learning Level 2 and in an EFL Level 1 Instructor in Training from The Herd Institute
Community Partners
Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa
Victory High School is a life-changing option for students and families. We are a non-profit, private high school in Pasco County, Florida for teens in recovery from substance-use disorders or co-occurring disorders. Here, students can earn their diploma away from the pressures and temptations of traditional high school.
Victory High School is a life-changing option for students and families. We are a non-profit, private high school in Pasco County, Florida for teens in recovery from substance-use disorders or co-occurring disorders. Here, students can earn their diploma away from the pressures and temptations of traditional high school.