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Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is the difference between Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy? |
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Equine Assisted Learning refers to experiential learning through activities with the horses. When we use this term, we are referring to workshops and personal or business coaching. We provide this to individuals, families and companies.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy refers to experiential psychotherapy where the therapy is delivered through the activities with the horses. When you come for therapy, you receive a diagnosis and are working with us to resolve a specific problem or problems. The work with the horses helps facilitate this process. |
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Why does this work? |
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Equine assisted learning works because it is active. Instead of sitting in an office or classroom talking ABOUT issues, you are actively involved in the process. You aren’t just talking about an issue, you are faced with it, and experiencing clearly how it impacts your life. You learn by doing, and experience the learning kinesthetically (in your body). This makes it more powerful and the learning is almost immediate. You don’t have to go home and think about what you’ve learned. You feel it, you know, and you “get it.” |
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Why use horses? |
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Horses are especially helpful because of their ability to read and respond to the non-verbal messages other creatures send. Horses mirror our behavior and emotions, and are able to see through our efforts to cover up. Horses are especially attuned to incongruency, and are able to detect when we aren’t being genuine and honest. Horses allow us to look at who we are and how we come across to others in a really clear, authentic way. |
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What if I’m afraid of horses? |
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That’s O.K. Lots of people are. We will let you move at your own pace, and allow you to confront and manage your anxiety about working with horses in a way that is comfortable for you. Many people find that when they master their anxiety with the horses, it translates into other areas in which they were anxious and the growth in self-confidence is pretty amazing. |
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Will I be riding? |
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No, most of the work is done on the ground (unmounted) with the horses. Only occasionally do we have people ride, and they are not riding in the traditional sense. You really need no horsemanship skills at all. Riding programs are usually designed to help you develop your abilities to ride, and not focused on helping you develop your resources for living as our programs are. |
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Will my health insurance cover the cost of the sessions? |
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Equine Assisted Learning activities (workshops, coaching) are not covered by health insurance. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy may be covered by health insurance because it involves a medical (mental health) diagnosis and treatment. Many people find that their health insurance covers some or all of the cost of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. However insurance companies vary widely in how much they cover or if they cover this service. We ask that you pay for the session, and we will supply you with the necessary information for you to file with your health insurance. We are not able to take any managed care plans (PPOs, HMOs). |
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How could this be helpful with the people at my company? |
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Because it is experiential, equine assisted learning creates the "aha’s" that allow the learning to be remembered. Past participants tell us years later they still vividly remember the lessons they learned with the horses. We are able to specially design workshops that will meet the needs of your whole company or your management, leadership or sales team.
Some of the lessons that are particularly valuable in business settings are those geared toward communication, conflict resolution, goal setting, flexibility, managing conflicting priorities, and leadership. |
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What if it rains? |
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Into every life, a little rain may fall. Since our sessions with the horses mirror other parts of our lives, we know that conditions won’t always be perfect.
We hold our sessions rain or shine. Since we have two facilities available, we plan our workshops and sessions to adjust to needs of our clients as well as the weather. During some months of the year, we hold our sessions at Horizon Farm so that we are able to utilize the covered arena. We do our best to adjust our schedule and activities to take advantage of good weather and comfortable conditions, but we don’t cancel because of bad weather. We ask you to bring a jacket or dress in layers so that you are prepared for the weather, whatever it may be! |
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