Horses Helping Others
Michelle is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl.) Certified Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. As an instructor and an equine specialist, she teaches riders horsemanship skills in a safe and effective manner and helps them make adaptions to succeed.
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Therapeutic Riding/Adaptive Riding
Therapeutic Riding, also known as ‘adaptive riding’ uses equine-assisted activities to contribute positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of people with special needs. Horseback riding provides a rhythmical three-dimensional movement that moves the rider’s body in a similar movement to the human gait. This helps improve the rider's flexibility, muscle strength, sensory integration, fine and gross motor skills and much more! Therapeutic riding is known for its benefits in helping rider's improve their lives including their; health, education, sports, recreation, and leisure. As a riding instructor, my goal is to teach horsemanship skills and help riders reach their goals while riding and in life. I utilize sidewalkers and horse leaders as needed.
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)
EAL provides a learning experience with horses. In EAL individuals learn horsemanship skills on the ground with their horse. Horses communicate primarily using non-verbal language; this language provides immediate feedback to the individual's actions. EAL is known for helping individuals gain confidence, awareness, observation skills, focus, work ethic, self-esteem, self-confidence and communication skills.
Equine-Facilitated PSYCHOTHERAPY (EFP)
EFP is made up of a team including, certified psychotherapist, an equine specialist and horse(s) who work together with the client. EFP utilizes several ground activities and is known for enhancing self-awareness in an individual's thinking and behavior. Horses often help people work through issues that they are afraid to bring up, or when they are 'stuck' in other treatments.