Equine Guided Education

Equine Guided Education (EGE) integrates equine activities, kinesthetic learning and cognitive insight in developing leadership, a healthy self image, as well as more meaningful connections to work and relationships. EGE can be found in a wide variety of human learning methods including life coaching, team development, holistic health practices, general education, youth at risk and goal-oriented programs. When partnering with horses powerful metaphors arise. We begin to honestly recognize our current way of being so then we can further develop what is needed to make new choices of action.

Equine Guided Education also offers a new look into finding harmony with horses that we may seek.  When we understand the horse's nature, its herd dynamics and energetic cues we can develop a more sensate approach with more curiosity and open mindedness.  Understanding horse herd dynamics and the strong need to communicate and negotiate within the herd gives us a lot of information on how we can think like a horse and learn to have a presence with the horse.

Within these Equine Guided Education public demonstrations we gain insight to horses . . . and also to ourselves.

EGE Public Demonstration and Tour dates for 2012:

(Saturdays)

April 21*

May 26

June 23*

July 21

August 18

September 15

October 6

How does Equine Guided Education work?

Horses naturally and honestly reflect and respond to the truth of who we are and our way of being in the world. Tuning into the subtle clues that we give, they read how we hold our bodies, extend our intentions, embody our presence, almost in about the time it takes a horse to blink. Horses demonstrate social savvy in how they respond, guiding us to be better, stronger, connected, instinctive; calling us out to know ourselves.

Why horses?

Just being around a 1,000 pound animal - with a 360 degree range of vision, a 10 pound-plus beating heart and an almost palpable field from its nervous system - causes a real shift in our own bodies, a sudden awareness and awakening, like a natural perterbation or opening that allows deep emotional and psycho-spiritual change and growth to take root rapidly and replace the old ruts. This is an optimal time for education and reorganization of self knowledge, guided by our equine partners and facilitated by a trusted coach, as all our senses and awareness are heightened.  Dictionaries define the word ‘educate’ as “an act of imparting knowledge”. But the word ‘educate’ actually has its roots in the Latin word, 'educo', which means “to develop from within; to educe; to draw out; to grow through the law of use”.

Horses can teach and guide us with their acute social abilities to adapt, communicate, coordinate and harmonize. They exist in highly functional social systems based on leadership and heirarchy, surviving and thriving in the wild. Most remarkable is their willingness to be with humans. Research is now beginning to show that horses use emotion as a primary survival mechanism. Natural laws of harmony, co-operation, tolerance, self control, sustainability, communication, leadership, sense of balance, self-confidence and joy run long and deep through their ancestral DNA. Unlike humans they are nonjudgmental and they do not hold their old stories up to us. They inspire us to compel their respect and interest.

Is this for me?

EGE is open to anyone, including:

• Educators
• Students
• Team leaders
• Veterans
• People moving through transition
• Therapists
• Equine specialists, business owners and equestrians
• Teens
• Parents
• Entrepreneurs
• Coaches
• Energy workers
• Health specialists and healers
• Youth at risk

Is it time to lead a change?

We are here for you at Horses & Pathfinders – to get to the truth of your leadership presence – to catalyze change in your work, relationships, self formation and of course, horsemanship.

The equine-guided educational paradigm shift has grown swiftly over the last decade; it may be that the time has arrived for humans to take the reins of their lives and live instinctively like a horse, the very creature who has transported, elated and delighted us in other ways through the centuries.

Equine Guided Education Association (EGEA) is a professional organization that supports and promotes human growth, learning and development through horse as healer/teacher interactions. The mission of EGEA is to create and support a unified discourse involving the interaction and integration of the horse as a respected guide.

EGEA provides standards for competency, educational opportunities, resources and support for professionals and the public. The horse does more than assist or facilitate learning, the horse actually 'guides' ("finding paths through unexplored territory") the process of education.