Participants work through a specially designed building block curriculum, formatted for each to work on their team building skills, known in the horse world as, "becoming herd savvy". As they learn to put aside "the manure" that typically block a teams overall productivity, each group will become more successful through out each course.
C.I.H.E.R.T.s EAL facilitators break down how to identify specific communication components to compliment each participants individual strengths for the betterment of their team. Thus, working toward effectively functioning as one unit. The C.I.H.E.R.T. equine-assisted learning programs have the ability to be a powerful journey of learning and understanding. Horses in this program are powerful teaching tools that immediately respond to what the participant is doing. Trained facilitators watch for "teachable moments" that horses identify.
The single most asked question is why are horses used? Horses are extremely sensitive, aware of their surroundings and quick to react. For their mere survival as a wild horse must be on guard. Nature provides them with instincts and senses that are very astute. They watch for the slightest movement, looking for threatening body posture. They know how to discern the difference between a calm non-threatening approach and anxious nervous energy. However every horse is different and teaches each participant something unique about themselves.
"To understand how this process works, one must first realize how horses learn, understanding the rules of survival. In a horses world the rules are clear, easy to understand and dealt with swiftly if challenged. By realizing this about horses we can alter our facilitation techniques to become more efficient", claims Charlotte Levesque, Cheryls daughter. Team work is a necessity to the survival of the herd; it is not only expected but respected. Horses respond favorably to positive stimuli, gaining trust and respect through herd training. They don't judge, but they don't forget. Participants must earn their relationship(s); they provide honest and instant feed back, never allowing participants to cheat.
Horses are tough and stead fast dance partners and if participants are willing to listen they can assist with guiding groups to becoming better individuals, team players and leaders. Learning to listen to what horses have to say is powerful and acts as the stimulus to individual change. By including horses in specially designed experiential exercises, equine-assisted specialists have proven repeated success to each participant's journey to self discovery and change. "The focus is placed on developing individuals in group interactive exercises", says Levesque, "but change comes through a personal perspective when participants clearly understand how their every action effects and influences others on their team."
Equine-assisted learning exercises are designed around practical and effective communication that enhances the participant's presence and influence on others. "Not only are horses uses as barometers to aid facilitators as they identify the hidden messages, but the defining moment comes when they realize that the horse is part of their team," says Levesque, and that every member of their team, including their horse, has value.
If you can understand how and why horses are aware of our every movement -- you will come to understand how this program works.
C.I.H.E.R.T. wants to help as many teenage sons and daughters feel better about themselves, increase their self confidence, inspire them to reach their full potential -- to make a difference in their lives. Each exercise is custom designed to maximize the progressive learning potential and focus on developing individual skills as they work through each interactive group challenge.
Teams will work to: develop relationships; accept responsibility and accountability; overcome barriers to find change; be encouraged to be creative and innovative; find opportunity in working together; realize the benefits associated with effective communication; and recognize the value of mutual trust, respect and personal integrity.
When teams learn to be herd Savvy, they learn how to value the strength of and individual and the significance each bring to the effectiveness of the herd. If they can learn how to put aside "the manure" that can block the teams overall intent, teams can become more successful while they uses each individuals strengths for the betterment of the team. Thus effectively working as a unit.
Participants will:
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become efficient communicators and effective communicative listeners;
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develop healthy relationships and learn problem solving skills;
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find success over obstacles and learn to appreciate each other;
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build confidence and self esteem and overcome fear and develop confidence;
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develop personal work ethics, responsibility and appropriate asssertiveness;
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observe the nature of the horse and realize it's importance to social success;
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learn the importance of hierarchy and learn the value of work and having fun;
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learn the importance of having distinct personalities, attitudes and moods;
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engage in discussion and activity to learn more about the horse and themselves
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abilities to be smart risk takers and fair minded team players;
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ability to create a win/win environment;
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improve group decision making and problem solving;
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along with other important personal development and leadership skills.
Since horses require work to care for, train and ride, they will learn that the "easy way" is not the right way. To find success, they will learn that horses require physical and mental work -- a valuable characteristic in all aspects of life.
Most importantly, horses have the ability to mirror exactly what body language tells them. "This horse is stubborn", "this horse doesn't like me", but the lesson to be learned is that if they change themselves, the horse responds differently. But horses can't lie. It is through this honesty that makes a powerful message.
