Taking the Lead is primarily an “off horse” equine-assisted learning program where individuals, peer groups, families, and corporate groups can work on communication skills, problem solving, team building, and leadership skills. Creative activities use interaction with the horse to address identified goals, producing key experiences and life-changing results.
This experience is also effective for addressing mental health and emotional well-being. Interaction with horses has proven to reduce anxiety and stress as well as promote self-awareness. The human and horse bond has proven to be a powerful connection with therapeutic results that are long-lasting.
Bonding with a horse is a singularly uplifting experience, giving people of all ages a chance to learn effective outlets for their fears and anxieties, while promoting leadership, communication problem-solving skills, and responsibility.
Horses communicate with people and each other in unique ways.
Horses are emotional mirrors and can read a person’s mood from movement and body language. They will react to a person’s behavior and emotion with no threat of bias or judgement.
This allows individuals to attain a sense of self-awareness, using feedback from the horse’s interactions to “check in” and process what is happening.
Equine-assisted therapy can be beneficial for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional awareness and regulation
- Empathy
- Confidence
- Relationships
- Problem solving
- Impulse control
- Trust in others; trust in self