What is Equine Assisted Growth?
Equine Assisted Growth is a collaborative effort between a counselor, horse (s) and clients to address specific goals and encourage wellness and personal development. Because of its effectiveness, it is considered a "brief", solution-focused approach. Participants learn about themselves by engaging with horses, in a way that reflects feelings, behaviors, and patterns. An Equine Assisted Growth practice sheds light on habitual patterns and gives insights to overcome self-limiting behavioral and psychosocial patterns. This approach has been compared to other models of animal assisted therapy as well as models using obstacles courses and group/system dynamics used by therapists, treatment centers, and human development education facilities around the world. Whispering Herd incorporates timeless holistic teachings inspired by the Medicine Wheel as well as Buddhist principles such as the practice of mindfulness and compassion.
Our focus is on interacting and being with horses, and the personal discovery process that ensues. The experience involves non-verbal communication (horses are experts at this), respectful assertiveness, creative thinking, team work, leadership, responsibility, presence and confidence.
This therapeutic model is a potent and effective approach that has the potential of profound healing in individuals, youth, families, and groups. Equine Assisted Growth can positively impact mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Who Attends?
Anyone can benefit from this experience. The programs are geared toward individuals or groups that wish to experience the wisdom of the horse. Programs are created to fit individuals that are in a growth process or who are experiencing important life transitions. Often people are searching for a greater sense of purpose and passion and may also wish to become more successful and self-directed. The programs at Whispering Herd are geared to overcome challenges while embracing opportunities for growth. The programs assist people as they navigate change and encourage them to reach for their goals while cultivating healthy relationships.
What can horses teach humans?
Horses offer humans an opportunity to re-member who they are and re-discover their life purpose. Horses embody power and grace and have a highly tuned instinct. A horses’ survival depends on its ability to sense danger in its environment and respond quickly and appropriately. In the herd, horses naturally trust their instincts and are attuned to the moods and body language of others. Their social structure is highly valued and is crucial for the very survival of the herd. Through the Way of the Horse, programs at Whispering Herd offer participants the opportunity to learn how to develop healthy communication and relationships as well as awareness, confidence and respectful leadership.
How do horses do this?
Horses are expert at reading body language and at mirroring often well disguised emotions. They encourage honesty and compassion. Horses are naturally empathic and non-judgmental. They mirror us and call us to authentic being and action. They encourage us to be aware mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. All programs at Whispering Herd offer basic horsemanship principles for safety and include an array of therapeutic tools that incorporate counseling with horses to assist people in their development. Time spent with the horse allows for quiet, presence, compassion, insightful reflection and transformation.
Equine Assisted Growth is a collaborative effort between a counselor, horse (s) and clients to address specific goals and encourage wellness and personal development. Because of its effectiveness, it is considered a "brief", solution-focused approach. Participants learn about themselves by engaging with horses, in a way that reflects feelings, behaviors, and patterns. An Equine Assisted Growth practice sheds light on habitual patterns and gives insights to overcome self-limiting behavioral and psychosocial patterns. This approach has been compared to other models of animal assisted therapy as well as models using obstacles courses and group/system dynamics used by therapists, treatment centers, and human development education facilities around the world. Whispering Herd incorporates timeless holistic teachings inspired by the Medicine Wheel as well as Buddhist principles such as the practice of mindfulness and compassion.
Our focus is on interacting and being with horses, and the personal discovery process that ensues. The experience involves non-verbal communication (horses are experts at this), respectful assertiveness, creative thinking, team work, leadership, responsibility, presence and confidence.
This therapeutic model is a potent and effective approach that has the potential of profound healing in individuals, youth, families, and groups. Equine Assisted Growth can positively impact mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Who Attends?
Anyone can benefit from this experience. The programs are geared toward individuals or groups that wish to experience the wisdom of the horse. Programs are created to fit individuals that are in a growth process or who are experiencing important life transitions. Often people are searching for a greater sense of purpose and passion and may also wish to become more successful and self-directed. The programs at Whispering Herd are geared to overcome challenges while embracing opportunities for growth. The programs assist people as they navigate change and encourage them to reach for their goals while cultivating healthy relationships.
What can horses teach humans?
Horses offer humans an opportunity to re-member who they are and re-discover their life purpose. Horses embody power and grace and have a highly tuned instinct. A horses’ survival depends on its ability to sense danger in its environment and respond quickly and appropriately. In the herd, horses naturally trust their instincts and are attuned to the moods and body language of others. Their social structure is highly valued and is crucial for the very survival of the herd. Through the Way of the Horse, programs at Whispering Herd offer participants the opportunity to learn how to develop healthy communication and relationships as well as awareness, confidence and respectful leadership.
How do horses do this?
Horses are expert at reading body language and at mirroring often well disguised emotions. They encourage honesty and compassion. Horses are naturally empathic and non-judgmental. They mirror us and call us to authentic being and action. They encourage us to be aware mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. All programs at Whispering Herd offer basic horsemanship principles for safety and include an array of therapeutic tools that incorporate counseling with horses to assist people in their development. Time spent with the horse allows for quiet, presence, compassion, insightful reflection and transformation.
