Our current decisions, behaviors and actions may not be getting us the results we desire in our professional or personal lives. Horses can be helpful in identifying these areas and experiential learning can help guides us in a more productive direction.
It is fascinating to sit and watch a herd of horses. They are perfect partners in experiential learning due to their finely tuned sensitivity: as prey animals, they have been able to survive in the wild based on their ability to be aware of what is going on in their environment, to communicate clearly to their herd and act as a group without hesitation. They can also sense what we are really thinking and feeling when we interact with them. This level of intuition is what allows horses to provide honest feedback to us.
Horses care about what we bring to the table in relation to how we treat and interact with them. They don't care about our position at work or what kind of car we drive.
They care about how we are in relation to them; how we approach and treat them...
Are we honest in our interactions?
Are we clear in our communication?
Are we consistent with our messages?
Experiential activities are among the most powerful teaching and learning tools available.
WHAT IS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING WITH HORSES?
Experiential learning is based on a model by David Kolb. Experiential learning with horses is a chance for an individual to explore a goal, work on an issue or simply see what evolves. It's a chance to grow, learn and explore in the presence of a horse as your guide.
The work allows for an actual experience of the event. This process presents us with real time feedback and insight. Incorporating the horses into the work provides the ability to experiment, explore and learn from the experience.
Experiential learning with horses allows for a deeper level of insight and growth. The horse provides honest communication and feedback. This real time feedback can help a person see how they are dealing with and / or being in their personal and professional worlds.
The learning process provides the opportunity for:
A situation to be identified and explored
An action to be taken
A reflection on the outcome of the action
The identification of alternative actions
The opportunity to "try on" actions identified and subsequent outcomes