Equine Challenge Courses With Miniature Horses and Donkeys at Equine Affair

Name: Equine Challenge Courses With Miniature Horses and Donkeys at Equine Affair
Start: 2024-11-09T12:00:00-05:00
Location: Eastern States Exposition Home of the Big E

Schedule

Sat Nov 09 2024 at 12:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Eastern States Exposition Home of the Big E | West Springfield, MA

When: Saturday November 9th, 12:00-12:45
Where: CGT Arena (Young Building)

Equine challenge courses based on Experiential Learning (EL) theory offer participants in Equine Assisted Services (EAS) the opportunity to explore a variety of topics such as team building, social skill development, co-regulation and self-regulation, an increased sense of self-efficacy, and encouraging individuals to be their authentic selves. This framework empowers every participant to use their voice in deciding how they want to interact with their teammates and the environment around them. Everyone’s individual choices, both human and animal, are equally considered in order to develop a sense of safety, connection and trust within the group. Working together and giving one’s best try is prioritized over completing a physical task or technical skill.

Facilitators design equine challenge courses using standard operating procedures for low ropes elements common in many outdoor education programs, and include a variety of obstacles, also called elements, spaced apart in an enclosed or open area. Typically, one person is partnered with one miniature horse or donkey, but this ratio can easily shift depending on the learning or wellness goals of the group or individual. Additionally, mobile equine challenge courses can be set up in various locations such as schools, community centers, assisted living facilities, parks, etc.

Miniature horses and donkeys are ideal candidates for participating on equine challenge courses from a risk management perspective. They are significantly less powerful and their flight responses are more manageable, which allows individuals, especially children and beginners, to be more independent when working with their equine partners. Facilitators can focus more of their attention on supporting the relationships and interactions between participants and less on mitigating potential risks.

This presentation will define and demonstrate the facilitation of equine challenges courses, the Experiential Learning (EL) theories informing their practice and why miniature equines are ideal partners for this work in comparison to full-sized ponies and horses.