Equine-Assisted Therapy Parkland County, AB

Psychotherapy counselling sessions collaborating with a horse as a co-therapist have emerged as a popular and effective method for healing. The bond between horses and humans has been documented for thousands of years, and its therapeutic potential has been recognized since ancient times. Even Hippocrates wrote about the physical benefits of horseback riding in his book, "Natural Exercise." Interestingly, Ms. Hartel's experience as an Olympic silver medal dressage rider proved to be a momentous change   in revealing the power of horse therapy to the world. Despite needing help to mount and dismount her horse due to her disability, she experienced a transformative healing process while riding. Her story highlights the profound connection between humans and horses and their ability to promote physical and emotional well-being. All our equine-assisted therapy in Parkland County, AB work is done on the ground as the horse can be much more effective when allowed to have the freedom to act intuitively as a horse without being controlled by a rider. All our equine-assisted therapy work is done on the ground as the horse can be much more effective when allowed to have the freedom to act intuitively as a horse without being controlled by a rider.

Our Equine Assisted Learning programs are designed to help develop skills in a scientifically researched and proven way that ensures the learning objective is achieved at least three times per session. We collaborate with respected institutions such as Guelph University and world-renowned horse experts like Chris Irwin to deliver the most effective curriculum. Our class sizes are small, usually 6 to 8 participants, allowing for maximum safety and learning opportunities. We offer a variety of Equine Assisted Learning Programs near you in Parkland County, Alberta that focus on developing relationship-building skills, communication, listening, articulation, focus, body language, negotiation, trust, team building, leadership skills, problem-solving, conflict resolution, self-confidence, and self-esteem.   

Programs available include:

12-week curriculum

8-week curriculum

Authentic You (Women's program)

Anti-Bullying

Family Herd

Men's Program

Corporate Team Building

 Horses are highly perceptive domestic animals. They possess an exceptional level of intuition, sensitivity, and quick response time, which enables them to offer instant feedback. Horses can detect stimuli that go unnoticed by humans, which is why we rely on them for their keen sense of awareness.  They live in the present and assess situations objectively, without prejudice. Unlike humans, horses do not judge or lie and simply react to what is happening in their environment. Horses have a majestic presence, which creates a strong human/animal bond. They communicate through both vocalization and body language and are always reading our body language as well. Horses are so perceptive that they can hear a person's heartbeat and breathing from fifteen feet away, and they can also sense their thoughts and emotions. This makes them ideal teachers for building confidence and self-esteem. Whether you are looking for a new companion or a trusted teacher, horses are the perfect choice.