Equine-Facilitated Learning FAQs
Are sessions 1-on-1 or in a Group?
I offer both group (i.e. family, friends, teams, or strangers with a shared interest in growth) and individual sessions. You can take a closer look within my Services page to learn more. You can select the type of session you want.
What is Your Intake Process Like?
After you reach out via my contact form, we’ll schedule an intake call at your convenience to discuss your goals, challenges, and hopes for EFL. I’ll review timing, send paperwork, and cover all logistics for your first session.
How Can I Learn More About the Science?
There are a ton of resources available on the power of Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) and Equine=Assisted Services online—a quick Google search is all you need! I love this video by Rescued Hearts for a quick watch.
Equine-Facilitated
Learning FAQs
Equine-Facilitated Learning?
EFL is an experiential learning approach that leverages interactions with horses to help participants explore emotional awareness, communication, problem solving, boundary setting, creativity, and more depending on your goals.
Is EFL “Horse/Equine Therapy”?
EFL is not therapy. Sessions are not used to diagnose, treat, or address mental health conditions. They’re meant to deepen participant self awareness, and help empower intentionality in relationships with themselves and others.
Who is EFL Intended for?
Children and adults of all ages are welcome. Whether you’re seeking to develop or deepen emotional awareness, communication, problem solving, tools for boundary setting, or creativity.
Will I Ride a Horse in Session?
I am currently only offering groundwork (unmounted, alongside, no-riding) sessions. I am happy to recommend individuals or organizations in the area who offer this. Let’s discuss what you’re looking to get out of mounted work.
Is EFL 1-on-1 or in a Group?
I offer both group (i.e. family, friends, teams, or strangers with a shared interest in growth) and individual sessions. You can take a closer look within my Services page to learn more. You can select the type of session you want.
How are Sessions Structured?
Each session is shaped by your goals and how you’re feeling in the moment. We’ll typically begin with a grounding and safety, followed by activities tailored to your comfort, needs, and goals.
How Do We “Talk” with Horses?
We communicate with horses through our body language, breath, eyes, and presence. Practicing communication in this way helps us build trust and deeper relationships with the horses and humans we interact with in our day to day.
How’s this Applied to “Real Life”?
The skills we practice in interacting with the horses are the same skills that help us connect with humans. Practicing with horses helps us notice our feelings, understand our needs, regulate, and rebuild trust with intention.
What Should I Wear?
Closed-toe shoes are required. Beyond that, please dress for the weather—sunblock, a hat, and layers (like a warm hat, scarf, or gloves in colder months) are helpful. For rain, a raincoat is better for the horses than an umbrella.
What Should I Bring?
The most important thing to bring is yourself and an open mindset. You’re welcome to bring water and a notebook for journaling. Snacks are fine too, but must be kept away from the horses since they consume a different diet.
How’s Progress Measured?
We’ll plan a progress check every 4 or so sessions, with flexibility to shift based on your schedule and preferences. These reflection moments help us understand what’s working and guide our approach.
What’s Intake Like?
After you reach out via my contact form, we’ll schedule an intake call at your convenience to discuss your goals, challenges, and hopes for EFL. I’ll review timing, send paperwork, and cover all logistics for your first session.
Is EFL a New Practice?
No. Typically you’ll hear about “equine-assisted services” and historically that work has been focused on therapeutic riding. Working alongside horses has had such a positive impact that offerings continue to scale and expand.
How Can I Learn More?
There are a ton of resources available on the power of Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) and Equine=Assisted Services online—a quick Google search is all you need! I love this video by Rescued Hearts for an overview and example benefits.
What does it mean to be “certified” in this work?
Our certification is through a rigorous equine-facilitated learning program emphasizing hands-on training, practitioner competence, and personal transformation, grounded in supervised practice and assessment.
Example Session
Natalie is currently only offering unmounted sessions.
Sessions are on the ground, alongside the horse(s), NO riding.
Goals, Today’s Needs
Safety & Grounding
Human-Horse Activity
Session Recap
Follow-up Plan
How it Works
Horses are large animals, but they’re also prey animals, which means they’re wired to notice everything around them to stay safe from predators. Their bodies are highly sensitive–it’s as if they have invisible feelers that can pick up how you’re feeling from upward of 12 arms lengths away.
When you’re with a horse, they can immediately sense whether you feel calm, excited, worried, sad, or something else, and they respond in their own way through non-verbal communication—through their body language. There are no “right” or “wrong” feelings or behavioral patterns. The horse simply helps you notice what’s going on by how they move around you in a shared space.
Once the horse brings awareness to how you’re feeling or behaving, you can decide, in conversation with a facilitator, “Do I want to keep doing this?” or “Do I want to try something new?” In partnership with a facilitator, a horse can support you in learning what works for you and what doesn’t, so you can choose what feels right for you in session and carry that into your day-to-day life.
How it Works
Horses are large animals, but they’re also prey animals, which means they’re wired to notice everything around them to stay safe from predators. Their bodies are highly sensitive–it’s as if they have invisible feelers that can pick up how you’re feeling from upward of 12 arms lengths away.
When you’re with a horse, they can immediately sense whether you feel calm, excited, worried, sad, or something else, and they respond in their own way through non-verbal communication—through their body language. There are no “right” or “wrong” feelings or behavioral patterns. The horse simply helps you notice what’s going on by how they move around you in a shared space.
Once the horse brings awareness to how you’re feeling or behaving, you can decide, in conversation with a facilitator, “Do I want to keep doing this?” or “Do I want to try something new?” In partnership with a facilitator, a horse can support you in learning what works for you and what doesn’t, so you can choose what feels right for you in session and carry that into your day-to-day life.
Testimonials
Working with the horses in such a mindful and intentional way helped me slow down and tune into myself. I came away from the workshop with a clearer understanding of what it feels like to be present and in my body as well as how I can start to practice that more in my day to day. – Shena Y.
My experience with Here with the Herd and the horses in nature made me realize how much I need to regularly spend time off my devices in quiet spaces outside. The time in our session had a noticeable impact on my nervous system. I left feeling at ease, connected to myself, reflective, and less stressed. – Ayushi G.
This experience helped me reflect on how I respond to uncertainty. I was nervous about one particular horse, but by the end it was like we were old friends. Building trust at my own pace helped me see internal patterns, and approach that unfamiliarity with less fear. – Eric M.
This experience gave me a break from a very overwhelming time. Being with the horses brought out a sense of comfort and play I hadn’t been able to access even though I’d been trying through other activities. It was one of the first moments in a while where I genuinely felt lighter and able to just enjoy myself. – Kristen R.
My daughter is experienced with horses, riding regularly, but this was a very different experience. It gave her the space to connect in a new way. Through observation, grooming, and leading she gained new awareness about how she builds relationships beyond words. – Max M.
What stood out to me was how clearly I could observe my own behavior through how I interacted with each member of the herd–emulating how I interact with humans. Learning about the horses was fascinating, but the real insight came from me seeing my own behaviors reflected back to me in realtime. – Mondana M.
Testimonials
What stood out to me from the session was how clearly I could observe my own behavior through how I interacted with each member of the herd–emulating how I interact with humans. Learning about the horses was fascinating, but the real insight came from me seeing my own behaviors reflected back to me. – Mondana M.
This experience helped me reflect on how I respond to uncertainty. I was nervous about one particular horse, but by the end it was like we were old friends. Building trust at my own pace helped me see internal patterns, and approach that unfamiliarity with more ease and less fear. – Eric M.
This experience gave me a break from a very overwhelming time. Being with the horses brought out a sense of play I hadn’t been able to access even though I’d been trying through other activities. It was one of the first moments in a while where I genuinely felt lighter and able to just enjoy myself. – Kristen R.
My daughter is experienced with horses, riding regularly, but this was a very different experience. It gave her the space to connect in a new way. Through observation, grooming, and leading she gained new awareness about how she builds relationships beyond words. – Max M.
Let’s Schedule Time to Talk
Have more questions? Ready to start your Equine-Facilitated Learning journey?
Let’s Set a Time to Chat
Have more questions? Ready to start your Equine-Facilitated Learning journey?