Why Horses?

Horses are consummate facilitators in the work of human development. The size of such an animal alone inspires a heightened state of awareness. These intelligent, sensitive creatures respond to both positive and negative changes in the handler's behavior, offering people constant feedback and timely rewards or consequences for their actions.

Horses are social creatures that readily and honestly respond to the challenges inherent in forming and sustaining relationships. As animals that are preyed upon in nature, they have also retained a highly developed ability to sense changes in the stance and arousal levels of other herd members, an ability they easily transfer to interactions with human beings.

Horses see through the slightest incongruities of emotion and intention, yet they are exceedingly patient and forgiving. Through a series of specially-designed activities, participants deepen awareness of personal issues, core feelings, and areas of bodily tension that inhibit their ability to reach their true potential. A tremendous boost in self-esteem and confidence comes from learning how to establish boundaries and direct a thousand pound creature through mental focus, creative visualization and clarity of intent.

These skills, which can be difficult to teach in a conventional classroom or counseling session, have far-ranging applications linked to increased success in personal relationships, career and parenting. Equine Experiential Learning (EEL) and Equine Assisted Self Exploration (EASE) can help people recognize and move beyond the coping strategies associated with surviving in a competitive world as participants develop a thriving mindset capable of endless compassion, innovation, energy, adaptability, and creativity.

Equine Assisted Self-Exploration™

When we interact with a horse we enter a relationship with the potential for meaningful connection at many levels. At the deepest level, connection with the equine offers a blueprint to guide us in awakening a deeper connection with ourselves, the world around us and ultimately with Spirit. We are given the gift of seeing our essence reflected back to us through the horse’s non-judgmental eye.

Horses are naturally empathic and will let us know we are incongruent, when the appearance we present to the world is not consistent with what we are really feeling. Thus they are effective mirrors and can serve as wise and supportive guides on a journey of inner growth and development. Horses live in the moment and our connection with them can help us to experience what it is to be fully present, and to carry that forth into other aspects of our lives.

In sessions with individuals or couples, and in group workshops in Equine Assisted Self-Exploration, participants enter a sacred space of infinite possibilities in which each person can, with the help of equine co-facilitators, gently open to what they need to receive. EASE can be helpful in exploring specific life issues, including relationships, or can help expand overall potential and self-awareness. All sessions unfold to meet the needs of the participants and may include a number of activities including:

Reflective Round Pen: Unstructured time spent simply Being in connection with a horse. Frequently insight and understanding around major issues are gained. New information may be received and dreamlike experiences may unfold. The possibilities are infinite.

Active Round Pen: Establish a connection with a horse and practice effective communication skills by asking a horse to respond to instructions.

Reflective Grooming: Notice what comes up while engaged in grooming one of these spiritual beings.

Horse Dancing: Once connection is established, horse and human alternate leading and following.

Horse painting: Let your inspiration guide you. Horse painting may follow journeywork or guided meditation in which you seek a healing or inspiring symbol or design. You then paint the design on the horse.

Ceremony: Horses assist participants in creating and performing healing or growth-enhancing ceremony.

Your Heart’s Desire.

Lydee Scudder is an Epona Approved Instructor/Facilitator and has completed a year-long apprenticeship with Linda Kohanov, author of The Tao of Equus and Riding Between the Worlds, psychotherapist Kathleen Barry Ingram, and their human and horse colleagues at the Epona Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Workshops

Working with horses in a group context is a wonderful way to expand the experience and the potential of horse-human interaction.

In EASE workshops the work is deepened by the fact that each individual benefits from acting as a witness and holding the “sacred space of possibility” for the other participants. The scope of these workshops always unfolds to meet the needs of the group.

I lead workshops using my herd of two or can come to your facility and conduct a group experience using your horse or horses.

Contact me about arranging a wonderful experience for your special group.