An Exhibition of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Learning

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learning.  It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals. The approach often has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, families, and groups, addressing a variety of mental health and human development needs.

You will want to attend this free exhibition if you are:

Sponsored by California Girls Ranch and Auburn Equestrian Center
Endorsed by Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA)

Event coordinated by Brenda Heckes

What is EAP?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is a highly effective and rapidly emerging professional field in which horses are partnered with for emotional growth and personal development. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist, a horse professional, the client and horse(s). Because of its intensity and effectiveness, it is considered a short-term or “brief” approach.

EAP/EAL is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. But the therapeutic processes have the added advantage of utilizing horses, dynamic and powerful living beings.

This work is not riding or horsemanship. In fact, 100% takes place on the ground. The focus of EAP/EAL involves the use of activities involving the horses, which requires the client or group to apply certain skills. Improving communication skills, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem solving, leadership, work ethic, taking responsibility, enriching relationships and teamwork, confidence, and attitude are several examples of the tools utilized and developed by Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Learning.

EAP/EAL provides unique learning experiences that strengthen and develop life skills. Equine activities present participants with challenges that simulate work and other life situations. This approach has been compared to the ropes courses used by human development courses around the world. Equine Assisted Leaning is effective in addressing staff development issues, corporate team building, leadership training and development and managing strategies and conflict resolution.

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Why Horses?

Those who are familiar with horses recognize and understand the power of horses to influence people in incredibly powerful ways. Developing relationships, training, horsemanship instruction, and caring for the horses naturally affects the people involved in a meaningful way.

The benefits of work ethic, responsibility, assertiveness, communication, and healthy relationships have long been recognized. Horses naturally provide these benefits. The use of horses is growing and gaining popularity with the rise of new approaches in working with the horses, including the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Horses are large and powerful, which creates a natural opportunity for some clients to overcome fear and develop confidence. The size and power of the horse are naturally intimidating to many people. Accomplishing a task involving the horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides for wonderful metaphors when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life.

Horses are very much like humans in that they are social animals. They have defined roles within their herds. They would rather be with their peers. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. An approach that seems to work with one horse does not necessarily work with another. At times, they seem stubborn and defiant. They like to have fun. In other words, horses provide vast opportunities for metaphorical learning. Using metaphors, in discussion or activity, is an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.

Horses require work, whether in caring for them or working with them. In an era when immediate gratification and the “easy way” are the norm, horses require people to be engaged in physical and mental work to be successful, a valuable characteristic in all aspects of life.

Most importantly, horses have the ability to mirror exactly what human body language is telling them. Many people will complain, “The horse is stubborn. The horse doesn’t like me,” etc. But the lesson to be learned is that if they change themselves, the horses respond differently. Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers.

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Facilitators

Susan Byrne, MFT

Susan Byrne, MFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive background and training in the EAP and AAT modalities. She has a private practice,
In the Presence of Horses, in Grass Valley, California. She is certified by EAGALA as a Level II practitioner and has worked in the field of EAP for several years. She initiated an Animal Assisted Therapy program for a major mental health agency in Placer County, California and introduced her program to schools and other practitioners in the area.

In the Presence of Horses serves children, adolescents and adults, (individuals and families) addressing a variety of mental health and human development needs including behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, depression, anxiety, grief, abuse issues, relationship problems and communication needs.

Susan has written two therapeutic children's books. "Sierra Cloud: A True Story about a Horse with Courage", was written to help children dealing with sexual abuse.  Her second book, "Heartache's Way: A True Story of Loss and Healing" (currently in production) is designed to help children coping with loss and the grieving process. Both books are "narrated" by Sierra Cloud, her Appaloosa mare, and are based on her life experiences.

Rob Pliskin, M.S. Ed, EAGALA Equine Specialist

Rob Pliskin began gentling wild horses in 1998 at national workshops presented by the USDI -- BLM Adoption Program and its Mentors. He assisted workshop clinicians in 1999 and 2000 and joined Lifesavers, Inc. Wild Horse Rescue, Lancaster, CA for the year 2002 (www.wildhorserescue.org).  In December 2006 he returned as the trainer to develop clinics in Equestrian Education and bring the EAGALA model to Lifesavers. While there he served as Clinician at the Wild Horse Festival of Learning in South Jordan, UT, the Wild Horse Workshop in Stagecoach, NV, and Napa, CA BLM Mustang Day. 

Rob also contributed to “Call of the Wild” in the October 2006 issue of John Lyons’ Perfect Horse magazine.

Rob has been an EAGALA Equine Specialist since 2003.  EAGALA is the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, www.eagala.org . The EAGALA model hosts clients in counseling and psychotherapy sessions (EAP) with a treatment team of a licensed therapist, an equine specialist, and horses or other equines.  Besides therapy and counseling, EAGALA includes growth and learning sessions, workshops, and team-building activities.  In 2005, Rob co-founded the EAP program at Big Heart Ranch in Malibu, CA for adolescents in residential addictions treatment.

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A message from the event coordinator…..

Thanks in advance for attending the upcoming event, Courage through Horses. I am coordinating this free event because I want to ‘give back’ to the community of Auburn, where I live and spend my free time riding my horses. Over the many, many years of training and caring for horses, I've enjoyed teaching horsemanship to young girls in the hopes that they can experience how horses can soften one's spirit, increase self confidence and build courage.

Please email me at Couragehorses@aol.com
for additional information
or questions getting more involved with EAP.
I look forward to meeting you soon.

Brenda Heckes

 

 

 

 

 

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