Life's Little Obstacles
The Life's Little Obstacles activity asks participants to get a horse to go over a jump placed in the arena. The jump can represent any challenge that the group or individual is facing, such as getting a child to school, or deciding how a couple will pay their bills or raise their children. It doesn't sound too difficult until the rules of the activity are given: no physical touching of the horse, no halters or lead ropes, no bribing, and no verbal communication with each other.
The use of a horse provides great metaphors to children and adults and the process of trying to accomplish this goal ends up leading to some intense discussions and insights. Because horses react to body language, they give incredible and immediate feedback to what people are communicating non-verbally. Clients learn that if they want to change the horse's behavior, they have to change their own behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. It is powerful because it is more than just talking, it is doing.
Reference: Kersten, G., (1997). Equine Assisted Psychotherapy "EAP" Training Manual. Santaquin, UT: Equine Services Inc. Copyright reproduction permission granted by Greg Kersten.
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of a Mendin' Fences
Equine Assisted Counseling Demo
Note: To protect client confidentiality, Individuals featured in the photos on this page were volunteers and not actual clients. |
