My journey with horses started at the age of seven when my dad took me horseback riding and that passion has only grown over the years. I rode as often as I could and leased horses whenever I could. In 1996 I bought my first horse, Prancer, and I still have him today. It wasn’t until a number of years of owning him that I realized how much he taught me and the gift that horses can provide to your life, not just for enjoyment, but also for self growth and healing. When I made that connection, I immediately had a desire to share that with the world and help them see the gift that had been given to me. So finally I put my passion into place and got Equine Experiential Education Association Certified and I am currently working on training toward certification as an Equine Experiential Education Association Practitioner.It is my desire to help you see why the quote “there is something good about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of man.”
Vision: To provide a positive, healing environment for all who participate in our programs. Through mutual involvement in our program, we will empower and enhance the overall quality of life for all participants, volunteers and staff. To provide equine assisted educational learning where humans, horses, and hearts are reigned together to bring emotional, mental, physical and social wellness for adults, children and families.
Values: Loving Reins exists to carry out and inspire the love, care and responsible stewardship of horses and people by staff, volunteers, and participants. Loving Reins EAL activities will afford participants an experience that can instill life-changing skills and values based upon personal responsibility, discipline and commitment within a strong culture of mutual respect.
Equine Assisted Learning
Using the horse as a therapeutic partner is a powerful and effective approach that has an incredible transformational and healing impact on individuals, children, families, and groups. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of our clients by providing a comfortable environment that supports the dignity and special needs of everyone. Horses provide a natural opportunity for individuals to overcome fears, take pride in their accomplishments, and develop confidence that they will carry into all areas of their life.
Many of our programs are designed to include the entire family, since psychological and emotional issues affect everyone, not just the individual seeking treatment
Challenges successfully addressed by unmounted Equine Assisted Learning include:
- Anger Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Couples Therapy
- Stress/Anxiety
- PTSD
- Bereavement
Did you know that horses brains are organized much like that of a traumatized child, always scanning the environment for threats? The horse senses this in a child immediately and demands the need for internal regulation. Unlike humans , horses forgive past bad behavior and are present in the moment which provides immediate feedback to the child. The benefits are in catching what the child is feeling in the moment, demanding that they pay attention to that feeling and then reinforcing the regulation of that feeling.
- Self Esteem/Confidence
Studies have suggested that equine-assisted learning is statistically more effective in improving kids’ ability to focus and stay on task. Equine learning also significantly improves symptoms of aggression, worry, and sadness. Participants of equine-assisted learning adjust better to new routines and teachers, and easily shift from one task to another. Self-esteem and self-respect increases and friendships are less stressful. - Developmental Delay
- Terminal Illness
Why Equine Learning? Why Use Horses?
- Just like humans, horses have distinct personalities
- They also provide opportunities for metaphorical learning and in using metaphors it becomes an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.
- Horses can mirror human body language. Participants learn if they change their behavior, the horses will respond differently.
- Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers.
Benefits of Equine Learning
- Breaks down defense barriers
- Time effective
- Challenges clients in a non-threatening manner
- The horse is a non-judgmental, honest friend
- Promotes a motivating learning environment
- Builds the therapeutic relationship
- Enhances problem-solving skills
- Provides immediate cause-and-effect situations
- Decreases feelings of hopelessness
- Encourages responsibility
- Captivates and holds attention
- Helps teach empathy
- Develops social skills
- Stimulates creativity
- Teaches better communication skills
- Empowers and gives a sense of control over self
What Horses Teach Us
- Horses mostly use non-vocal communication and thus are wonderful teachers to help us better understand and learn how our non-verbal communication might be impacting or influencing others in our lives.
- Horses also demand that we are aware of our surroundings at all times.
- In order to stay safe around horses we must be observant and present in our bodies.
- We have to listen to each other and to the horses.
- We have to stay focused and attentive.
- To care for horses takes dedication, time, and effort and our clients can learn a strong work ethic that may transition back into their daily lives.
- Furthermore, clients gain self-esteem and self-confidence while learning how to work with such a large and powerful creature.
- In all, horses provide us with a way to see our internal landscape and modes of operation exposed.
- They offer us humility, compassion, and challenge – all critical elements to supporting self-growth and self-awareness.
717 608-1330
www.lovingreins.com
[email protected]
Harrisburg, PA
Rhonda Darlage says
I read your story in Womans World. What you are doing g for people is amazing. God bless you
Shirley Thompson says
I read your story in Woman’s World. Horses have always intrigued me, but their size made me fearful of them. I wish now I had made an effort to really get to know them in person. I wish you had your program in Charlotte, NC. I have a loving relative there who would benefit from this healing therapy. God bless you.