EMPOWERMENT SERIES FOR WOMEN
WORKING WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP WOMEN REBUILD THEIR LIVES.
We work with organizations that are helping women to rebuild their lives by providing a life skills development series designed to aid clients in their journeys and help them to move forward with confidence. This 8-12 week series has been set up to provide direction for the women in your groups who are rebuilding their lives from trauma, abuse, sexual exploitation, depression, attempted suicide, jail or homelessness, and who are looking for results! It is believed that a horse’s spirit will lead individuals in the ‘right direction’ and will assist them in understanding their place in the circle of life.
What the participants will learn is important; however, what they remember from this series is priceless! Working with horses creates a unique memory that causes the attendee to remember the training far longer than sitting in ‘just-another classroom’. Each woman will gain empowerment through group exercises that focus on individual qualities and at the same time, they will have some extreme fun and life-changing moments. All skills learned in the arena are paralleled back to their everyday lives, ensuring that the learned skills are transferred to how they deal with people, choices and the world around them.
There is NO riding the teachers in any of these programs. We must allow the horse to be able to speak through his body to help the women to make changes.
JOANNE
It taught me if I break through my fears, everything works out. I can’t always think everything is bad. Always look for the good in people, places, and situations, to push myself in life. Not back down.
CRYSTAL
I can move beyond the shore and into the sea of the unknown. I can trust myself. I’m stronger than I thought I was and I can move through life and through fear. I don’t have to allow the fear of the unknown to stop me from living, learning, and growing! Thank you so much!
MARGO
My horse taught me to be more secure in myself. That its okay to be myself. When I’m with my horse, I feel like nothing else matters.
By interacting with our horses, our clients will learn how to take empowered action, try new behaviours and connect with their passionate selves. There is no BS - only clear answers. Horses respond to our authentic selves. They are always honest and they cannot judge. This is why they are the best teachers! They work hard to push us to a new level where we can feel confident and competent in ourselves and in our abilities.
The horse has unique characteristics which can contribute to a distinct human-animal interaction and is one of the many contributing benefits to individuals wellbeing. The horse is a: teacher, motivator, strength and calmness. Horses divulge interpersonal dynamics and quickly reveal every woman’s hidden talents and potential growing points. The changes they’ll experience are immediate ... as horses live ‘in-the-moment’.
As women, we are constantly in fear of being judged. Horses are incapable of judgement. What a unique thought; to go to a place where judgement does not exist and we can just be ourselves! They don't care about our clothes, our weight, our spiritual or political beliefs, or where we’ve come from. They just care about helping us to be the best version of US that we can be.
Our interactive women's' group programs are specifically designed to ensure the learning and retention of necessary life skills to aid in each woman’s personal growth and journey. Our “teacher-horses” will provide “loud teachable moments,” that the participants will never forget. By working with their teachers, women will build strong, solid skills that they can draw upon when they are faced with choices in everyday life. Our 8-12 week program series, in the Stratford area, builds on one particular skill each week and then continues building on those skills as the participants move to the next week.
EMPOWERING WOMEN TO FIND THEIR POWER.
WOMEN WHO BEGIN THIS JOURNEY TO EMPOWERMENT CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:
(a) physical status - improved physical health (taking part in other physical activities because of Equine Assisted Learning participation, the women feel better about themselves physically)
(b) the importance of physical touch with the horse - experiencing healthy or safe touch (while grooming, i.e., brushing their body, braiding the mane, petting the horse, hugging the horse, standing close allowing for body contact)
Each woman will learn:
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That internal dialogue needs to match external actions;
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that force does not equate to movement;
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that looking back stops moving forward;
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how to develop healthy relationships;
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how to accept responsibility and accountability;
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how to overcome barriers to find change;
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that it takes courage to make the changes the horse is telling them;
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how to be creative and innovative;
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how to find opportunity in working together;
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how to develop their decision-making skills;
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how to take appropriate risks to get out of their comfort zone;
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how to develop patience to take it one step at a time;
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the importance of communicating their vision with direction;
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how to find the leader within themselves;
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how to realize the benefits associated with effective communication;
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the value of mutual trust, respect, and personal integrity... All while having a blast!