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Taking the
Reins
Victoria Whittle
- Project Leader
E-mail:
vicky.whittle@circlesnetwork.org.uk
Tel:
01788 816671
Download:
Project leaflet (PDF)
Taking the Reins is a pioneering project, run by Circles
Network, introducing Equine Facilitated Learning to assist a wide range of
disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.
Circles Network have a very clear understanding about what helps and hinders
people's personal development. There are many things that make a difference and
by far the most important are:
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Communication
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Relationships
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Self esteem
Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) provides for giant leaps of
progress in all three aspects and offers further opportunities over time.
Equine Facilitated Learning
Horses in their natural environment live together in a herd. They are prey
animals and communicate through body language in an almost empathetic way.
Natural horse training methods, used by horse whisperers, use the horses own
communication system to work in partnership with the horse for a greater level
of understanding from both trainer and horse.
EFL uses these same methods with a trained horse which allows the person to
build a relationship with the horse. Such effective communication offers
positive rewards, enhancing self esteem and confidence.
An EFL session involves the person working with a horse or pony on the ground in
a countryside environment, developing trust, control, communication and
relationships. It takes place within a round pen which provides an enclosed,
safe area where the person and their selected horse or pony can spend time
working together and create a bond.
Results can occur very quickly with the person acknowledging the importance of
their body postures, gestures, breathing and voice. Once they can use these
skills effectively the horse will respond accordingly and the possibilities for
further developments increase.
For a child, young person or adult who typically controls very little of their
own environment EFL is very empowering. Self awareness and increased self esteem
quickly follow and the facilitator builds on this to develop further skills and
qualities.
Taking the Reins aims to develop these skills and attributes in a person over a
number of sessions with the end result being the person `taking the reins' and
lunging (working with a long line) the horse single handed in the round pen.
Children and Young People Who May Benefit
EFL can have positive benefits for just about anyone! With everything from
grooming to working in the round pen proving to be a very rewarding experience
for everyone involved.
At Taking the Reins we are specifically aiming to offer EFL to disabled and
disadvantaged children and young people. We have already seen positive results
with Anorexia, Autism, ADHD, Attachment Disorder, Depression and other mental,
emotional and learning difficulties.
Positive outcomes we have observed so far include the following:
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a young girl aged 13, diagnosed with anorexia, after only 2
sessions began to eat properly;
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a young boy with cerebral palsy, aged 8, managed to relax his
overactive body and to still his limbs when close to the pony. He has gained
greater voluntary movement in one arm as he grooms and strokes the ponies;
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a young autistic child, aged 4 would typically avoid both
touch and speech, readily reached out to cuddle a miniature Shetland pony and is
now calling out as he approaches;
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a young man with Downs Syndrome became increasingly confident
and vocal as he learnt to lead and control a horse much larger than himself.
Press Coverage
In April 2008, BBC Midlands Today filmed an equine
facilitated learning session as an example of an "exemplary project" funded by
BBC Children in Need.
Read the article on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, or
watch the short film of the project on the BBC website.
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Supported by:
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Thanks also to:
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