The Equine Experiential Learning Process: What Is It?
Experiential learning is a highly effective form of learning. Rather than passively learning by reading a book, listening to a lecture or watching a power point presentation, participants are active in forming their experience throughout the process.
Experiential learning includes three general components. The first is direct experience as participants are engaged in an activity. A reflection stage follows where participants process the experience through analysis and/or discussion either on their own or with fellow participants and facilitators. In the final stage, participants apply what they have learned to future activities and generalize to real-life situations. The experiential learning model is a recurring cycle with the reflection and application phases leading to a restarting the process of integration. Horse Play utilizes horses in structuring the activities for their equine experiential learning programs.
At Horse Play, a typical session often begins with three horses loose in an arena with no saddles, bridles or halters. The program is lead by two or more facilitators including an educator, mental health professional or organizational facilitator teamed with an equine specialist. The facilitators instruct the participants to perform a task in the arena with the horses. An example of this may be to bring one or more horses over to the facilitators-often a challenging task even for people with horse experience! The participants are free to work at this task as they wish.
Following the activity in the arena, the participants discuss what they have learned, then apply their insights to the next task. This process is repeated as the facilitators design the activities so that they build in complexity throughout the day or across classes. It is likely that the way groups and individuals generally function will be reflected in the arena. This allows for learning and practice to occur throughout the day with added emphasis on the application to real life situations. Horse Play facilitators are always available for consultation following our programs and classes.
 |
What is the Equine Experiental Learning Process? Learn more » |