Equine Assisted Therapy

Horses At Heart Therapeutic
Equestrian Adventures Inc.

Playing and working with horses provides adults and children an excellent opportunity to experience the expanded awareness that is the world of the horse.

HORSES AT HEART programs promote:

• leadership and partnership skills
• emotional awareness
• boundary setting
• authentic communication
• goal setting
• enhanced understanding of the equine relationship

Horses at Heart Programs

HORSES AT HEART PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

• Horse Friends (Horse Assisted Mentoring for Parent and Child)
• Pony Up (Ages 6 - 13)
• Adventure Partnering (Families of all Ages)
• Reflective Horsemanship (Adults)
• Strength, Power and Pure Fun (Seniors)

Location, Directions & Map

Horses At Heart programs are generously supported by:

HORSE FRIENDS

Equine Assisted Mentoring for Parent and Child

Discover the wisdom inherent in herd dynamics. By practising Natural and Reflective horsemanship skills, experience mutually respectful relationship building, boundaries, and the power of playtime. Parent and child will work together to learn happy barn management, grooming, leading and joining up. This program has an emphasis on therapeutic mentoring as well as conscious horsemanship and incorporates Theraplay® sessions guided by a certified Theraplay facilitator. Our Horse Friends program is a partnership between Horses At Heart Equestrian Adventures Inc. and Blue Hills Child and Family Centre. It is funded in part by the Ontario Truillium Foundation.

PONY UP

Ages 6-13

Focus will be on mutual respect, safety, and building a relationship with an equine partner. Beginner students will learn basic horse skills such as grooming, haltering and leading the horse, beginning riding skills and the importance of healthy routine. Children with some riding experience will learn the subtleties of forming a partnership with their horse both in and out of the saddle.

ADVENTURE PARTNERING

Families of All Ages

Horses are incredible animals. They are strong beautiful, aware and energetic. And they seem to know just what we’re feeling – even when we don’t! Discover the trust, self-confidence, and understanding that horses bring when we work with them to create Authentic Partnerships. Families will learn to ride together in a way that promotes respect, structure, nurturing, and the simple value of having fun together

REFLECTIVE HORSEMANSHIP:
HORSE AS A MIRROR

Adults

Horses have the ability to reflect and mirror our issues and current state of mind in the moment. This program provides an opportunity to experience oneself through an equine connection. What emotions and feelings arise within the space of this relationship? Fear? Anger? Frustration? Boredom? Love? We will work towards understanding the message behind emotions, expanding our level of awareness and finding our authentic voice. Components of the class will include grooming, groundwork, and an exploration of our experiences through various awareness exercises. Horsemanship skills are developed according to the experience of the individual participant or group.

STRENGTH, POWER &
PURE FUN

Seniors

This group program will be challenging, fun and informational in a very unique way! Your weekly peer support group will provide the opportunity for experiential exercises with the horses followed by group processing. Participants will be taught grooming, leading and handling, groundwork training skills, animal communication and herd behavior. You will safely learn how to ride at a walk and experience a Journey Ride. By the end of the week, friendships will be created with new friends, including your new horse friend! A very POWERFUL experience.