Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) & Therapeutic Interactions
ECES provides an engaging, safe, all-inclusive environment for children, youth & adults who are participants of the NDIS, this service is offered through Functional Occupation Therapies & Supports (FOTS), for all types of abilities to have positive interactions with horses, where they can learn about their own individual self and be accepted, using a specifically designed EFL frame work & program.
Who can benefit from Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) & Therapeutic Interactions (TI)?
Children
Youth
Adults
Ages
3yrs to 85yrs
Disabilities (NDIS)
Explore Equine Support & Overarching benefits
Explore Equine Support & Overarching benefits
Mental
Health
Explore Equine Support & Overarching benefits
Personal
Development
& Growth
Explore Equine Support & Overarching benefits
Horses have a language without words, their facial and body expressions are subtle, and to teach participants of all abilities to see horses, and humans alike, the way we do is amazing; understanding how they communicate, share, experience, express and belong.
What is Equine Facilitated Learning & Therapeutic Interactions?
Equine Facilitated Learning & Therapeutic Interactions is a positive interaction between a horse and a participant in a safe, supervised environment based on activities around a framework.
The ECES framework was created around understanding and reading the horses behaviour, working with the horse allows participants to engage in social situations, work on their emotions, behaviours and understand the cause and effect they have on their environment, promoted through experiential learning.
Participants witness firsthand the effects of their own behaviour (negative/positive). From this they are taught how to control this response, grow confidence, and express themselves in a positive way.
Every term, the facilitators, set out 10 weeks of activities that are based around building everyday life skill, all while working with the horse. This could include grooming, handling, feeding, horsemanship. From voice projection, self-control to reading a map or building an obstacle course—these activities give the participant a sense of achievement and a safe place to practise and develop these essential life skills.
The horse communicates to the participants through subtle body language movements without the added pressure of words, big expressions, or repetitive sounds. This method of communication is uncomplicated and is uniquely capable of facilitating personal development and growth.
Learning horse expression and body language can be transcribed and applied to human behaviour. Connecting the two with no judgement or added stimulus allows our participants to embark on the world with a better understanding.
- This is a non-riding program
We create an environment for Horses and Humans to connect, where Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) and Therapeutic Interactions can be influential and life-changing for all involved (Horse and Human).
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EFL SESSIONS
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Everyone is welcome; we work with you, in line with your individual goals.
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Supporting NDIS Participants
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Our sessions are built around the “ECES framework”; reflecting a weekly program of fun, creativity, connection, behaviour support and goal focused.
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ECES framework; allows our sessions to be experiential, that makes learning fun.
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Everything is supplied for an EFL session, no experience is required.
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Purpose built facilities and equipment.
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Fully Qualified Staff – Ebony Cox – DipAppSc Equine Studies, BaAppSc Equine Science & AEFL Level 1.
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Fully insured with Affinity.
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All staff are appropriately trained for the Job, all of our handlers undergo a thorough training program to ensure the safety of the participant, the horse, and the staff.
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Visitors or spectators are welcome under the advisement of the participant.
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Welcoming & Supportive staff who love horses, horse human connections, and believe that Equine Facilitated Learning is everything and more.
Facilitating the Connection
ECES Equine Facilitated Learning Participant Gallery
“Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) promotes strategies to attain healthier relationships that in turn can improve wider group and family dynamics. Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) sessions bring together horses and people in a safe, supervised space designed to elicit positive and empowering interaction.”
(By Elaine Russell ref: http://www.EFL.net.au)
What a quintessential EFL sessions look like?
Plan & Design
The facilitator will plan and design a program around the ECES frame work suitable for the participant, based from the information provided at enrolment & ongoing attendance.
The Session
The facilitator sets the goal, and the participant engages in the session. Directed by the participant through experiential learning.
Reflection& Discussion
The facilitator records the participants progress by measuring their results against a the FOTS focus attributes and overall objectives.
Our Associations
