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EAPD

EQUINE ASSISTED PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

EAPD explores the language of the horse through relational activities that help individuals more closely examine what defines true, healthy relationship.

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Horses communicate primarily through body language and look for this same method of communication in their leaders. Participants of EAPD learn to shift their focus from self-centered to horse-centered as they learn the "foreign" language of the horse and all that their body language communicates. This creates a more observant, aware, and authentic partner in relationship to the horse.

 

Universal instructions are presented in group activities, but the experience that follows is unique to each participant. A licensed facilitator, horse trainer, and herd manager help participants navigate relational dynamics with their horse through reflective questions.

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The unspoken language of the horse

Stillness versus Silence

Much of a what a horse communicates is from a place of silence. It's body language emanates with conversation. A horse can communicate a myriad of instructions, responses, or defenses simply through its posture. But silence is not always the same as stillness. Silent horses may have found their release from pressure through their obedience, but not their willingness. Silent horses may have been so broken by training methods that are unnatural to a herd mentality, that they have relented as a horse and surrendered to the method. But a still horse, a horse that has found “softness” is a horse that has found leadership, whether herd or human, that causes such a sense of security that they no longer need to self-protect. 

navigating the heart through the language of the horse

“To teach a horse to be calm, responsive, trusting and brave, you must first acquire those qualities yourself. You can’t just appear to be confident and in control. You must let go of your masks and conflicts and fears and BE confident and in control. Everything we can teach a horse, we can teach ourselves. And you may discover that when a horse sees you relaxed, balanced and centered, so does everyone else. In and out of the horse arena.”
Chris Irwin – from Horses Don’t Lie

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