What is Equine Facilitated Learning?

We provide Equine Facilitated Learning, Development for all ages 7+ struggling with mental wellbeing, SEN, challenging behaviour, school refusal, trauma and for those that self-harm.

 

Working in a dynamic, young person led approach, with emphasis on our core ethos of mutual consent, respect and trust, we provide a safe, nurturing and rural setting for students to learn to look at their own behaviours through the use of metaphor, storytelling, body language and mirroring whilst working with our therapy horses.

 

Students will navigate a series of obstacle courses co-designed by our experienced team of psychologists and EFL practitioners, using metaphor to process challenges that each individual may be facing, such as grief, change, setting and respecting boundaries, trust, social skills and so much more! We also incorporate both classical and natural horsemanship techniques, encouraging students to find their own answers for self-help and healing, all whilst building their fundamental core needs, such as confidence, communication, self-esteem, self-worth, and self-belief, as well as building friendships, support networks, social and interpersonal skills.

 

Our provision has a completely different take on therapy - ultimately, the horses are the therapists, the students their own teachers and our sessions aim to inspire and teach each young person to discover and harness their true powers, be it neurodivergent or otherwise, and see a future with which they can flourish.

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Who is EFL for?

We work with all ages 7+ who are struggling with their mental wellbeing, finding school difficult, well as both children and adults with autism and ADHD and welcome students that may demonstrate challenging behaviour.

 

We are a registered Alternative Provision with both Somerset and Wiltshire, you will find our information on the WAAP list, so if you are looking for somewhere for your young person either with or without an EHCP in place, we are able to offer our tailored services.

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We also offer corporate events, where we provide activities to improve team morale, teaching important life skills and working through past, present and future challenges that may be obstructing an individual, or team, from reaching their full potential.

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What to expect during sessions....

We are big on setting clear boundaries here at The Equivalent Project, but that is a two-way thing. We start with clear introductions to who we are and the boundaries and behaviours we expect from our students. We will have obtained some background information before the students arrive, but will will affirm any likes or dislikes to ensure a mutual respect is formed between staff, students and horses alike. 

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We then start to teach the basics, of recognising body language and subtle behaviours that indicate boundaries before we introduce the herd. The horses are all well trained and carefully selected for their roles, however due to the unpredictable nature of working with all animals, a horse handler is always present when working with the horses in the event of a client needing support, or in case the horse is becoming anxious. It is therefore advised that clients wear hard soled footwear that covers the whole foot and weather appropriate clothing is necessary as we work in all elements providing no weather warnings are issued.

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Over the weeks, students will navigate a series of tailored obstacle courses co-designed by psychologists, tackling anything from finding our voice, to drug misuse, the possibilities are endless!

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What can EFL help with?

• Anxiety

• Depression

• SEN including autism and ADHD

• Self esteem

• Self worth

• Confidence

• Communication

• Setting life goals

• Recognising and overcoming past, present and future challenges

• Working as a team

• Promoting empathy for others

• Regulating emotions 

• Drug misuse

• Social rehabilitation

• Anger management

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How we operate....

We are term time only and sessions are booked in blocks of 6-7 weeks depending on the academic calendar.

 

 

Corporate

Corporate events are also available, set over 1 or 2 days and will be tailored to group needs, please contact us for more information and pricing. 

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