Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) is a practice that pairs humans and horses in partnership for experiential learning. Through any number of activities, or no activity at all, participants will explore their experiences and the meaning they make from them.

Equine Facilitated Learning is not “horse therapy.” It is not intended to diagnose or treat any illnesses. It is, however, designed to allow participants to explore and learn through being open to experiencing the present moment with the help of human and horse facilitators.

Anyone who has a desire to learn, experience, and grow can benefit from participating in Equine Facilitated Learning. At Leg Up Learning Solutions, we specialize in working with individuals and teams who want to improve their communication skills, leadership skills, conflict resolution skills, team building, and team cohesion. 

The learning possibilities are endless! In fact, EFL can help individuals learn and grow in any way they can imagine.

• Discovering your communication style
• Gaining confidence​
• Improving leadership skills
• Increasing empathy
• Becoming a better, more clear, and decisive communicator
• ​Building trust between team members
• Improving present-moment focus and mindfulness skills
• Learning to recognize emotions in self and others, as well as ways to regulate them
• And much more!

No, EFL is primarily ground-based and does not typically include mounted activities. Instead, Equine Facilitated Learning activities often include: 

• Observing the herd
• Joining the herd
• Round-pen activities
• Interacting with horses “at liberty” (horses free in a large open space)
• Grooming horses
• Leading horses
• Putting a halter on a horse
• Games and obstacles courses