grief work, emotional abuse, abuse, equine, coach, professional development, personal development, leadership, authenticity, intimacy, feelings, psychotherapy, psychotherapist, healing, emotions, working on learning how to deal with emotions, fear, frustration, depression, anxiety, sadness, vulnerability, horse human relationships, equine therapy, interactions between horse and people, addictive behavior, self destructive patterns, boundaries, energy fields, heart connection, york, maine, york, me, southern maine, southern me, nh seacoast, new hampshire seacoast, southern nh, southern new hampshire, portland, maine, portland, me, portsmouth, new hampshire, portsmouth, nh, eliot, york, kittery, maine, new england, boston north, False self, masks against the world used as defense, protection. Horses see through masks. Goal setting, hearts desire, inner work to achieve happiness..finding oneself through working with the horse

Deepening the connections between animals & humans. Healing body, mind and spirit with nutrition.

What is EFEL?

Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning (FEEL) is a process *where the horse is the teacher, spiritual guide and therapist. Horses, as prey animals, have a great deal to teach humans about authenticity, emotional congruence, creative problem solving skills, and the setting of appropriate boundaries. Horses guide us in creating a balance between reason and intuition and the nurturing of body, mind and spirit. Horses show us how to be present in the moment, leaving behind old behavior patterns and thoughts that are no longer working for us. Horses allow people to acknowledge intuitive insights and perceptions. Humans learn how to be present, conscious and authentic with themselves, others and their horse teachers.

Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning helps people more easily identify their true desires, motivations and emotions, while also developing the assertiveness needed to take the reins of any situation. Horses as prey animals, sense what others are feeling through their extra large guts and hearts. Horses can actually teach an awareness of conditioned thought and behavior patterns that limit your true potential.

Interacting with the horse becomes a transformative experience when the human is alert and open to the message. The horse as prey animal has a great deal to teach us about ourselves. They know how we are feeling, and can provide a safe container for the exploration of our goals and desires in life. The horse enables us to grow and learn in ways that traditional therapy may take years to accomplish.

Humans wanting more out of life, desiring a change will find the horse’s teachings to be invaluable. Horses can help us connect with our intuition and thus the deeper sense of ‘knowing’ we all so desire. Through the way of the horse we become more conscious and more alive.

For example, horses are able to uncover deep seated issues and concerns we may have buried for years. The process is done in a very gentle and loving manner, not moving beyond the person’s ability to acknowledge and own this part of themselves at that particular time.

Strength and courage can be developed through interactions with horses. Horses rely on their instincts and keen sense of the present moment through all their senses to determine the next move. This knowledge is an invaluable tool for humans to learn for daily living.

Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning is an Educational Model. Irrational thoughts and destructive patterns can be observed and changed through learning EFEL tools and experiences. All too often, we exist in a survival mentality. EFEL encourages movement into a thriving place for more creative and productive lives.

EFEL Tools and Experiences may include learning and growing through the following:

• Authenticity over Perfection
• Body Scan; learn to listen to your body
• Boundaries; setting and acknowledging
• Congruency over Conformity
• False Self vs. Authentic Self
• The Messages behind the Emotions
• Non verbal communication skills

Photo Courtesty of Susan Correia