What is Equine-Assisted Learning?

Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a structured, ground-based program in which participants work alongside horses to develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, communication skills, and confidence. It is led by certified Equine Specialists and grounded in established models from PATH International and Eagala — the two leading credentialing bodies in the field.

EAL is not psychotherapy and is not a substitute for clinical mental health treatment. It is a powerful complement to therapy, coaching, education, or simply a season of life when you want to grow.

Horses are extraordinary teachers because they are honest. They respond to what is actually happening — your tension, your distraction, your courage, your calm — without judgment and without delay. That feedback creates a kind of mirror most of us rarely encounter, and it can produce insight far faster than talking alone.

Who EAL is for

•         Adults navigating stress, transitions, burnout, or grief

•         Teens and tweens building confidence, regulation skills, or social connection

•         Families and couples working on communication and trust

•         Veterans and first responders processing high-stress careers

•         Educators, leaders, and teams seeking experiential personal development

•         Young people on the autism spectrum or with developmental differences (parental coordination required)

Who EAL is not for

EAL is not appropriate as a primary treatment for active mental health crises, suicidal ideation, active substance use disorders, or conditions requiring clinical intervention. If that is your situation, please reach out to a licensed mental health provider or crisis line first; we are happy to talk with you about whether EAL might fit alongside that care once you are stable.

What a session looks like

Sessions are 45 minutes and take place entirely on the ground — most participants do not ride. You and your Equine Specialist will spend time observing and interacting with one or more horses through activities such as grooming, leading, navigating obstacles, and quiet shared presence. After each activity, your specialist will help you reflect on what happened, what you noticed in yourself, and what you'd like to try next.

There is no script. The horse responds to you in real time, and the session unfolds from there.

Will I ride?

Most EAL sessions are entirely ground-based. If mounted work is appropriate to your goals and you have the physical readiness for it, we may incorporate riding under our certified PATH instructor — but it is never a requirement and never the focus of the program.

Program structure and pricing

We conduct a series of eight weekly sessions to allow patterns to develop and skills to take root.

•         Initial 15-minute phone consultation: free

•         Each 45-minute session is $75 for a private one-on-one session. Two or more participants can be accommodated at a lower per-person price.

•         Group programs (schools, organizations, veterans groups): contact us for custom pricing

Note: EAL is not a clinical service and is not billable to insurance.

Additional Resources

Learn more about how our programs work and see frequently-asked questions.

Ready to learn more? The best first step is a free 15-minute call to talk through what you're hoping for and whether our program is a good fit. There's no obligation, and you don't need to know exactly what you want yet.

If you are a licensed clinical therapist looking for experiential therapies that may enhance your client’s treatment plan, click here to learn more.