A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to

Healing, Hope, & Harmony

with Horses

Equine Assisted Learning Programs

for Adults and Kids

Our Programs

Adults

Healing with Horses

Meditation and Mindfulness | Sound Baths | Private Horse Medicine Sessions for Adults | Animal Reiki

Kids & Teens

Hope with Horses

Horse Powered Learning for Kids & Teens

Special Focus on Neurodivergent Youth

Horse Powered Reading® | Horse Powered
Math® | Horse Powered Social-Emotional Skills | Private Coaching & Tutoring | Pony Playtime

Homeschool

with Horses

Homeschool Enrichment Programs

Horse Powered Learning | Private Coaching & Tutoring

Groups

Harmony with Horses

Half and Full Day Group Workshops for:

Families | Personal Growth | Corporate Team Building | Youth Programs & School Groups

Fall 2024 Programs

What is equine assisted learning?

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) involves interactions with horses to promote personal growth, emotional healing, and skill development. This form of experiential learning utilizes the unique characteristics of horses as sensitive and intuitive animals to help individuals gain valuable insights and enhance their self-awareness, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, emotional regulation, and more.

The core principles of Equine Assisted Learning involve creating a safe and supportive environment where participants can engage in various activities with horses. These activities are designed to address specific goals or learning objectives, and the interaction with the horses serves as a metaphor for real-life situations, offering powerful learning opportunities.

The process typically involves a trained facilitator and one or more horses. The facilitator guides the participants through activities with the horses, encouraging them to observe the horses' behavior, body language, and reactions, and then reflect on the parallels between these interactions and their own experiences, feelings, and behaviors.

Equine Assisted Learning is not about horseback riding; instead, it focuses on ground-based activities and the relationship between humans and horses. The experience with horses provides immediate feedback, making it easier for participants to recognize patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses that can be transferred to their daily lives.

This form of learning has been found to be effective for a wide range of individuals, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses, those seeking personal growth, individuals with ADHD, autism, and other developmental disabilities, and more. It is also used in leadership training, corporate team-building, and personal development programs. The powerful and non-judgmental presence of horses allows for transformative learning experiences and personal growth.

“The horse is a mirror to your soul. Sometimes you might not like what you see. Sometimes you will.”

~Buck Brannaman

Why Horses?

For millennia, the horse has stood by our side, selected by early humans not merely for practicality but for an inherent recognition of its spirited nature, mirroring our own.

Gazing into the profound, contemplative eyes of a horse and observing its genuine way of existence, we rediscover aspects of ourselves—our inner wildness, freedom, intuition, and presence. In their movements, we witness embodied grace, strength, and the poetic essence of being alive.

Horses have willingly shouldered our burdens and steadfastly led us into uncharted territories, their hoofbeats echoing the rhythm of human progress. The horse's generous and courageous spirit imparts lessons of humility, patience, resilience, and alignment with our instincts.

Despite their domestication, horses, as prey animals, remain astute observers, attuned to movement and emotion. They vigilantly scan their surroundings, adept at deciphering the body language and energy of all beings. Horses respond keenly to your non-verbal communication, becoming a powerful mirror reflecting your emotions, thoughts, and intentions without ego or judgment. This unique trait makes horses adept at guiding us to attune to our inner landscape, offering clarity on embracing new possibilities and moving forward authentically and true to ourselves.

What People Are Saying

  • "The horses are just the escape [my daughter] needs from the world she lives in that tells her to be more normal, and shouts sameness. The horses affirm that she is exactly who she is meant to be and that's a good thing. Her autism diagnosis is everything she's known but couldn't articulate and we couldn't discover until finding the right provider. The world she is living in is not accepting of her uniqueness and amazing qualities and finding you and the horses she gets to interact with is so affirming to who she is and will hopefully support her growth in confidence and awesome qualities. Thank you so much. I'm so excited to watch her grow and find her true Joy💜"

    -Christina

  • "Highly recommend! Brought my 8 yr old autistic son for a private 1:1 with Nicole and he absolutely loved it. Thank you Nicole! We will be back soon"

    -Lily

  • "Nicole and her horses are beyond amazing. If you are thinking of joining any of her programs, I would highly recommend it. She is kind and compassionate and really gets kids and teens. I truly can't recommend her enough! "

    -Heather

  • "You are changing her life one horse at a time"

    -Christina

  • "I think [ my daughter] really liked today! She even shared some details with me afterwards .That's big for her. It's usually: Mom I don't do questions!"

    -Tory

  • "It was lovely meeting you! [My daughter] really enjoyed her time with you and liked all the horses she met. She said Stella was her favorite!"

    -Galina

  • "Such a fun day today- definitely want to get [our son] back!"

    -Ray

Mission:

Our mission is to foster personal growth, emotional well-being, and learning by providing innovative equine assisted learning programs for all individuals who would benefit from this holistic therapeutic approach.

Vision:

Our vision at Harmony and Horses is to be a beacon of positive change, where the magic of equine-assisted learning becomes a catalyst for healing, resilience, and personal enlightenment. We aspire to create a community where the bond between humans and horses serves as a gateway to a harmonious and thriving existence, inspiring individuals to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to the well-being of the broader world.