Equine Assisted Learning is a Learner Based educational experience with horses. More specifically, it is an effective approach to human development that encourages individual and team growth. Participants engage in objectively driven exercises and learn valuable life skills in a fun and exciting atmosphere while working with horses. All exercises are performed on the ground; these are not riding programs. These skills programs are a powerful, positive, educational gateway to helping participants build the life skills necessary to deal with the demands and challenges of everyday life. At Spirit Of The Horse, we utilize the BuildingBlock™ Curriculum of facilitating life skills through positively reinforced interaction with horses. Exercises are developed to encourage self confidence through validated, hands-on experiences. Current research has found this experiential form of learning to be most effective.

Our programs are all done on the ground, there is no horseback riding involved.

THIS IS NOT THERAPY. We do not require a clinical professional with us to do these exercises, workshops and programs.

No worries! If you aren't being pushed out of your comfort zone, you aren't learning. This is an opportunity to overcome fears or preconceived notions. Some of the people who have attended our workshops have started out intimidated. By the end of the program, they have learned more about themselves, they have overcome their fears and walked out with life-altering results!

Always dress for the weather, bring a warm coat or sweater just in case (after all, it is Alberta!), wear close toed shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. If you don’t have the proper clothing don’t worry – we will do our best to help you out for the day!

Yes! We have been trained by and are certified through Equine Connection - The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning, and backed by The EAL Network a leading organization in this specific skills development program with horses. Additionally, we carry extensive liability insurance.

So Am I! Knowing is half the battle! Just be sure to take an antihistamine before you come. If you don’t know if you are allergic to horses, we have allergy medicine onsite.

Helmets are mandatory for anyone under the age of 18. If you have one and would like to bring it along that’s great. If not, we have you covered!

Please contact us by clicking here and we will help you to book your program!

There's no denying that the world as we know it has changed and we want to keep this in mind. ​ Our classes take place outdoors with LOTS of space! Our classes are small with a max capacity of 6 participants in a large space, making social distancing easier. Horses and humans can't get COVID from each other. (See article here) So it's safe to come and interact with our very special teachers. Sanitation: We will provide hand sanitizer. Facilitators will be wearing face masks and clients will also need to wear masks.

Horses can magnify an individual’s problem immediately and provide a skilled Certified facilitator with an opportunity to identify an individual’s character. Horses don’t overthink a participant’s motive but horses do challenge their behaviour and leadership. WHY DO WE WORK WITH A PREY ANIMAL VS A PREDATOR ANIMAL? ​ This program is designed to take participants through programs and on a powerful journey of learning and understanding. Horses in this program are effective teaching partners; immediately responding to what participants do, trained facilitators look for "teachable moments" that horses identify. The single most asked question is, why do we work with horses? In a horse’s world, the rules are clear, easy to understand and dealt with swiftly when challenged. Nature provides them with instincts and senses that are very astute. For their mere survival, a wild horse must be aware of their surroundings and quick to react. They watch for the slightest movement, especially threatening body posture. Horses know how to discern the difference between a calm non-threatening approach and anxious, nervous energy; immediately identifying individuals struggling internally. By understanding the true nature of the horse, we can alter our techniques to become efficient facilitators. ​ This is NOT a HORSE THERAPY COURSE! Participants are guided by the horses and facilitators to come to their own decisions and work on building life skills for where they are at right now! To move forward with their lives, to build skills and to truly tap into their potential! If we, as facilitators, are willing to listen, horses can assist us with guiding participants to becoming better individuals. By including horses in specially designed educational experiences, equine-assisted specialists have greatly multiplied the participant’s rate of success to self-discovery. Horses can’t overthink a participant’s motive and horses can’t manipulate behaviour. But by their intuitive nature and innate sensitivity, horses can provide facilitators with a window into the participant’s personality. As facilitators listen to a horse’s non-verbal communication, together, they have the ability to walk participants through to finding life-altering change. By understanding why and how horses are aware of our every movement – you will come to understand how effective equine-assisted learning programs are.