What is EAPL?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning (EAPL) incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learning. Participants learn about themselves and others by engaging in activities involving horses, and then processing (or discussing) their feelings, behaviors, and patterns.
The focus of EAPL is not about riding or horsemanship; it involves interactive ground activities in which horses play a role, requiring clients or groups to apply certain skills during the course of each exercise.  Several examples of tools utilized and developed by EAPL include non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving, leadership, work ethics, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence, and attitude.

EAPL is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, families, and groups, teams, co-workers.  It addresses a variety of mental health and human development needs to include behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse issues, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication needs.  With teams for example, equine assisted learning focuses on working better as a team, cohesiveness, identifying leaders, finding the weaknesses, learning how to identify and overcome the obstacles to success in a game.