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What
is Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)?
EFL
is a therapy where children learn about themselves, other people,
and interacting with the world. It is not about teaching riding
or horse care skills.
It
has been clinically proven that just being in the vicinity of
horses changes human brainwave patterns. They have a calming effect
which helps stop people becoming fixated on past or negative events
- giving them a real positive experience.
EFL
has proven to be particularly useful for children with autism,
attention deficit disorder (ADD) and bipolar disorders - all of
whom may find it difficult to communicate, interact with other
people, and carry out instructions. Even those showing severe
anti-social and aggressive behavior become calmer and more communicative.
How
does EFL work?
Horses
react as a mirror to the person who is with them. They are a prey
animal so they want to feel safe and are always on the lookout
for predators. A horse will become very fearful if he's with someone
who is aggressive, noisy, disrespectful or too controlling. But,
it the person makes requests rather than demands, the horse will
begin to cooperate. He is always looking for a leader.
This
is why horses are so good to use as therapy for children. A child
who is given just a little insight into dealing with a horse in
the right way can become the natural leader the horse is looking
for. The horse in return feels safe and peaceful and will cooperate
with what the child asks of them.
Children,
even those with emotional or mental disorders, can often manage
a horse more easily and more quickly than adults. Children accept
things at face value and are more open to developing an equal
relationship rather than trying to control.
A
horse is looking for simple, clear commands. For children with
mental and emotional disorders, the positive benefits of getting
a horse to carry out these commands are often profound.
Children
with ADD will focus on the horse for long periods while grooming
or leading when usually they cannot concentrate long enough to
do much of anything else. Autistic children who are withdrawn
and living in their own world will begin to express themselves
- often using new works or gestures they have never expressed
before.
Once
children realize what they can achieve, their self-esteem increases
in leap and bounds. Imagine what it must feel like to lead an
animal through an obstacle course, stopping and starting when
you want to, when you usually find it difficult to concentrate,
communicate or stay in control.
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