Why Horses and How Do They Help?

Horses are used as they are a species whose survival depends on co-operative group living, highly developed non-verbal communication skills and the ability to run away at speed from the threat of a predator, as a consequence, horses are social beings by nature and finely tuned to body language. Horses are therefore highly sensitive and responsive to the behaviour of others which includes humans.

Horses show a disregard for any label we or others may have attached to us. Our horses meet and respond to clients in the present. They offer opportunities that enable exploration of our inner most feelings in the most immediate ways.

Set in the Onkaparinga Hills we incorporate mindfulness based stress reduction engaging clients multi sensory systems and movement in our beautiful natural environment. By modelling real, congruent, respectful and caring relationships with the horses which is demonstrated by acknowledging their different needs and personalities. Clients feel safe and that their needs will also be respected and they are able to step into relationships, often first with a horse they may identify or have a connection with, and then with the practitioner and other members at the centre. This inturn enables other aspects of horse coaching to emerge resulting in the clients increased confidence, self esteem, emotional regulation and communication skills. The programme is carried out on the ground, there is no horse riding involved.

A new client age 10yrs arrived on her first session as a very shy 10 year old girl in residential care it was really hard to communicate with her and she was very nervous of the horses. 3 months later after weekly sessions the young person is in the centre of the round pen with one of the horses and using her verbal and non verbal communication skills to connect with the horse and to get the horse to follow her communications. It is amazing to watch as the horse follows the girl, there is no physical contact and the horse is walking, trotting, cantering as the girl asks and then following the girl as she does different activities.

"Confronting fear and overcoming it with the help of a partner or an entire group of people can be used to develop self-confidence, self esteem, group cohesiveness and decision making" (Voight, 1988:59)

This was certainly true for this young person whose carers reported a growth in her confidence, esteem and communication.

For more information on Way of the Horse Coaching call Jo 0434201106

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