Education & Training
Equine Alliance Team Training
Really! How can you control an elephant with a chain; a horse with a rope?
All these things are tools that you use to prove that you are
powerful. And we go along with this to ease your fears
so you do not run away from us.
—The Horses
Horses are, by nature, collaborators. Equine Alliance Team Training forges a collaboration with the horse or horses, with the specific intention of respectfully and cooperatively accomplishing a goal. The principle of “alliance” suggests willing, equally respected partnership: equine alliance team training builds on trust and respect and engages horses to support a goal that is for the enlightenment for an individual, and is always for the greater good, or a goal that directly serves the greater good of the whole.
In training horses, we enlist assistance from more experienced horses who model for and help to communicate the student horse. Sometimes that interaction involves a direct intervention from an experienced horse when the student unknowingly jeopardizes self or others.
Because our horses fully participate in this process, our efforts in integrating wild horses and training novice horses have been exponentially more successful. When teaching people, one or more of the horses steps forward to interact and create experiences that lead the seeker to clarity. This organic, interactive process is contingent on the willing, trusting, responsible, and enlightened participation of horses and is consistently offered by the horses in the interest of the good of the whole. We are humbled by the willing participation of gentle beings in powerful bodies. We understand and acknowledge their willing cooperation with us when we make reasonable, fair and honorable requests.
Guide Rides Equine Alliance Team Training
There’s not much you can do when minds are closed.
There is a lot you can do when hearts are open.
—The Horses
Guide Rides Equine Alliance Team Training is a method of facilitating wilderness riding for competent independent riders who are also disabled. Designed as a method to facilitate for able-bodied blind riders on wilderness trails, the system engages four horses and three riders, in addition to the rider who receives the special assistance. For people with visual impairment, social attitudes are the biggest obstacles: people hesitate to get to know a blind person and most equestrian venues will not allow blind people to participate except in very controlled settings.
This method is excellent for able-bodied riders, who require special support during outdoor adventures. On-location training in this method is available to therapeutic riding groups, families and support persons, and community groups, which choose to treat people with differences with respect, equality and generosity of spirit. Contact us with details about your situation and needs for further information. This method is not suitable for individuals with uncorrected hearing impairment.
Natural & Holistic Horse-keeping
Trends in horse-keeping are falling in line with the increasing awareness that horses stay healthier, happier, and more productive, and respond better with natural horse-keeping techniques. Changing old models for health and management is cost effective and kinder to horses. Natural horse-keeping includes holistic health techniques, natural hoof care, healthy socialization and freedom of movement, and natural nutrition. This course helps you adopt and transition to a more natural method of horse management. The benefits for you and your horse are immediate and rewarding!
Care and Feeding of the Older Horse
Many people confuse slow starvation in older horses, due to dental issues or changes in digestion and metabolism, with normal aging. On a holistic care protocol, many of these horses can be fit, healthy and happy. Senior feed formulas are increasingly coming into question for their nutritional and health benefits. This class gives you the information you need to evaluate various feed products on the market so you can make the most informed decisions about horse management.
Nutritional needs and day to day management adjustments add years to your horses’ lives. This class teaches you what to do and how to do it, what to feed, and how to manage turnout and exercise so that your horse receives special care to improve quality of life for her/his remaining years.
Wild Horse-keeping on Small Acreage
This class covers the considerations involved in wild horse-keeping and explains how wild horse-keeping differs from domestic horse-keeping during the first year.
Transitioning the Wild Horse to Domestication
Wild horses from the American west or BLM programs have experienced trauma, fear for their lives, and a great deal of confusion. This class helps you gain an understanding of the issues your horse has faced and prepares you to support him/her during the adjustment period.
How to Evaluate Personality and Potential in Selection of Your Wild Horse
In retrospect, additional tools for evaluation of wild horses would have been wisely considered in our visit to the BLM Adoption Site. There are may considerations in adopting a horse and many ways to select a horse. Some do’s and don’ts in selecting a wild horse and in bringing your horse home, will go a long way to a long successful relationship. This very helpful 3-hour class prepares you well for your adoption experience.
Personal Growth and Spiritual Enlightenment:
Equine Ashram
Finding love is a beautiful obsession. You don’t have to find it. It is there.
Just stand still and breathe it in. Let it come to you.
—The Horses
You are invited to experience conscious, compassionate and collaborative interaction with horses, both domestic and wild. Powerful as they are, horses are sensitive, considerate, intelligent and willing colleagues. They are often more aware than are humans of the nuances of social order, emotions, and the natural order. In an Equine Ashram experience we approach and interact with horses with respect for who they are, open mindedness towards who we and they can become through our collective learning experiences and individual growth efforts. Mostly, we open our hearts to speak and listen in love and grace.
Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning
"We submit to love.
We resist arrogance.
We attempt to redirect ignorance.
We read your thoughts and your body energy.
Yes, we know when you are over tired, overstressed,
or on a wrong path."
—The Horses
Interacting with horses in a facilitated environment, we see directly the influence of our moods, underlying agendas, body language and thoughts on our experiences in life. In close proximity with a horse, powerful insights into personal and spiritual growth take us to new levels of growth, self-acceptance, self-esteem, and confidence. We become clearer on our goals, moods, feelings, emotions and more easily find the core issues that shape our reality. We become aware of habits that interfere with effective communication and we enhance our communication skills to become more compassionate and responsive in relationship with ourselves or others. This is a safe, gentle process that does not require any previous experience with horses and involves standing near or sometimes grooming a horse. Riding is not involved in this process.
Gender Roles, Community, and Peace:
Horses—A Model for Male-Female Relationships
"Equanimity is not always equality. It is mutual respect and honor, despite our differences."
—The Horses
Famous horses have had a major social impact in our culture. Spiritually, indigenous cultures hold horses as vehicles for travel between levels of consciousness. Historically, they have literally provided transportation between realms, kingdoms and realities. Horses link for us: we are shifting our beliefs and awareness about ourselves, our roles and the social and spiritual contributions of men and women.
Gender Roles studies the evolution of changes in the past 50 years and the horses that have been key players in creating change, and looks in depth at the male and female roles of horses in the herd as we examine our own lives.
"Several times a year, we celebrate togetherness. It is seasonal. We play, we tease, we rearrange (our society). It is not because we cannot be together. It because we can be together and still have our differences. We want you to learn this and to stop being afraid of differences. This will end war."
—The Horses
Interspecies Communication: A Model for Creating Peace
"Finding peace in the midst of everything,
yes, everything, even chaos, neglect or
brutality is our mission. Therefore, we anchor
peace and balance, when it is most needed."
—The Horses
Considering the possibility of interspecies communication expands our concepts of reality. Engaging in interspecies communication sheds light on our soul journey on this earth, and helps us find our commonality with all life. Animals experience different levels of spiritual evolvement, as do humans. Sharing sacred time and space in heart-wisdom with animals is enlightening and transforming.
The Herd: A Model for Human Community
"Friendship. We have friendship.
That means we accept each other’s differences
and we neutralize differences whenever possible."
—The Horses
Study of the herd and the commitment of each individual to the greater good of the whole is the basis for this program. Understanding how horses interact as individuals, while maintaining agreements for herd safety and standards of behavior within the social order, provides insights and clarity for human society and community building.