What is Equine-assisted Learning (EAL)?
Equine-assisted Learning is an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills. This focus on life skills can be related to academic achievement and classroom behavior, personal growth and exploration, or professional pursuits such as leadership development, team building, and executive coaching.
Who facilitates EAL?
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is facilitated by professionals who are trained and certified to work safely with horses and skilled in experiential learning and facilitation. These highly trained facilitators design and lead safe, goal-directed sessions that focus on developing life skills for individuals and groups.
Sessions are often co-facilitated by a team of professionals: an equine specialist and a human specialist. Each brings expertise relevant to the group being served. For example, a horse professional leading a corporate team-building session may partner with a leadership development expert to ensure the session is effective, balanced, and aligned with participant goals. In some cases, sessions are led by a “duly-qualified” professional, someone with strong credentials in both equine work and human development.
All facilitators, whether part of a team or duly qualified, must demonstrate a thorough understanding of horse behavior, management, and safety, as well as human dynamics and facilitation. This dual competency ensures participant safety while supporting meaningful learning outcomes. Participants are encouraged to ask facilitators about their credentials and to research the standards of the organizations that certify them.
PATH Intl. has incorporated the foundational work of Debbie Anderson and Blair McKissock to establish accepted professional competencies and operating guidelines for EAL. These competencies form the basis of all professional workshops and trainings offered through HorseWork Education at Victory Riding Academy.
What does an EAL session look like?
EAL sessions can be individual or group sessions. Each session involves a horse interaction facilitated by the professional or professional team. Though there is always a lesson plan, our facilitators will often follow the horse’s lead. Often, the activities are problem-solving-based, relationship-building, or focused on critical thinking skills. Though students can learn horsemanship skills through the sessions, it is usually not the primary goal. Most goals are focused on the development of life skills. Lessons are often groundwork or focused on relationships, but could be mounted if it helps the client to meet specific goals.