EQUINE ASSISTED HEALING CONNECTION
“The most beneficial horse—human relationship comes from a partnership in which each partner chooses to ‘do the right thing’ for the other” -Natural Lifemanship
We're currently providing our services to clients at a reduced rate as Valorie, our president, undergoes the final stages of certification with Natural Lifemanship. This involves dedicated client hours. Upon successful completion of certification, our rates will return to our standard pricing structure.
People and horses can form a connection to help overcome stress and trauma.
Studies show that the Natural Lifemanship approach *Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Services (TI-EAS) contribute to improvements in psychosocial functioning, behavior, relationships, moods and emotions. Program services have demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, depression, somatization, emotional and behavioral challenges. The start of Natural Horsemanship in the 1980’s made for a more humane way of horse training, instead of using fear. The underlying principles are still steeped in power, domination, and control. Kinder, gentler control is still control. Even when approaches become less harsh, any for of control may still be considered limiting. With Natural Lifemanship emerged an emphasis on healthy relationships, not only with humans but also with horses, there is a broader perspective that goes beyond mere training techniques.
What are Healing Connections?
Our healing connections are facilitated through one-on-one sessions, that are centered around the transformative power of genuine connections cultivated by working with our herd. The health and vitality of each individual is tied to the health of their connections, and aligns with the understanding that social bonds and relationships play a crucial role in human well-being. We utilize our herd because the horses are capable of engaging in healthy, genuine connection, relationship, and partnership. This connection can be profoundly deeper than words. Within it the client and horse are responding to each other which requires full body and brain activation. Horses do, indeed, invite us to clearly communicate beyond words with our entire being. They are sensitive to our internal states and energy. The mounted work, though not utilized as often, in particular can be especially healing - when done systematically, this is how we heal and grow. It isn’t just about lifemanship, or even horsemanship. It is about the relationship.
What are some of the goals Healing Connections at North Winds help with?
Confidence Building
Relationship Building
Improved Balance
Improve Physical Well-being
Improved Motor Skill
Overcoming Anxiety
Communication Skills
Social Interaction
Positive Sensory Stimulation
Depression Reduction
General Horsemanship
Self-Discovery
Self Efficacy
Improve Self-Esteem
Improved Coordination
Trust
Increased Perspective
Learning Boundaries
Emotional Regulation
Increased Resourcefulness
Empathy
Fundamentally, we teach a different way of thinking when it comes to the horse and human relationship. We believe that the principles of how we engage with the horses should be the same as with humans and the rest of the world. When beliefs and underlying principles change, behaviors and techniques are organically transformed. We are not a therapeutic riding facility. Our sessions do not (and should not) deepen into emotional psychotherapy processes. We focus on the here and now, and tomorrow. Most of our work takes place on the ground, only taken to the point of riding when it will best meet the goals of the session. With that said, it still has to be mutually beneficial. The horses are not tools, but facilitators during our sessions. Our approach is grounded in a holistic and respectful philosophy, emphasizing mutual benefit and acknowledging the naturally intuitive state of the horses. This allows for meaningful and authentic interactions that go beyond conventional methods.
Why us?
This isn’t a method or a technique, it is a way of thinking.
Our SPECIALTY areas include:
-
We offer a free 8 week session package for veterans. (Limit of one free package per person, per year)
Pricing thereafter will be discounted to $40.00 per session, and 15% off for purchasing a package of 8 sessions.
-
We offer a free 8 week session package for first responders.
(Limit of one free package per person, per year)
Pricing thereafter will be discounted to $40.00 per session, and 15% off for purchasing a package of 8 sessions.
-
Children Session (30 minutes) $40
*When family has multiple children enrolled, there will be a discount for subsequent children after the 1st.
Adult Session (1 hour) $75
