This exciting field was founded by Greg Kersten who discovered the powerful connection between horses and humans. He used this connection to “heal” many at risk youth as a corrections officer, horse instruction and later a counselor to troubled kids. He found that allowing the at risk youth to work with the horses their issues would be mirrored in the way they interacted with the horses. Greg could then take that “mirror” and help guide them to their own self actualization- their own recovery. Horses were giving back information to these children in non-threatening way- a way in which they could hear and see what they needed to work on for themselves.

For more information on Greg Kersten www.okcorralseries.com

Founder of Inspire Behavior Therapy, Jennifer Kaut has been certified by Greg Kersten in both EAP and EAL. All Equine Therapists are certified by Greg Kersten. Inspire Behavior proudly hosts Greg Kersten annually for Certification Seminars.

EAL is offered for individuals, families and when available for groups. There is not an age limit on these services. EAL is appropriate and applicable for EVERYONE! EAL is not about horsemanship, it is about the process of the activity. All activities have meaning and can be related to what is occurring within your life.

Almost of the activities will occur without getting on the horse. No horse knowledge is necessary. Part of the behavioral therapy is to teach clients to “look out for their peripherals”– this keeps children and adults safe not only at the ranch but more importantly in their everyday lives.

Services might Include:

• Individuals with Aspergers working in Problem Solving Skills
• Individuals with ADHD working on Attending Skills
• Building Receptive and Expressive Skills in Children with Developmental Delays
• Families Learning How to Communicate More Effectively
• Corporate Team Building
• Self-Esteem Building

Snapshot of Lessons in EAL

• O.K. Find Me
• O.K. Catch
• O.K. Trust Me
• O.K. Movement, Responses, and Reactions
• Life’s Little’s Obstacles: O.K. Get Over It
• Appendages
• O.K. Stay
• O.K. Lead Me

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Programs for School Districts and Public Agencies

EAL is an alternative to standard interventions for children & teens with social, emotional and developmental difficulties using the support of a therapist, an equine specialist, and a horse.  Using horses as part of a therapy/rehabilitation process with children and teens has been successful in schools and communities across the country.

Our Program Combines:

• The expertise of a Behavior Specialist with over 16 years experience and a Masters Degree in Autism and Emotional Disturbance.
• Over 10 years experience as a Specialist in many area school districts creating behavior change programs for children at risk.
• Certified Equine Therapists & Horse Specialists with over 10 years of riding, coaching, and professional experience. 
• A proven, researched based scope and sequence that is tied to the TEKS.
•  Our program is held accountable through assessments such as the BASC and Y0Q SR.  Through these assessments, we will demonstrate generalization of the students’ newly acquired skills back to their home/school environment.

Goals:

• Rehabilitation of at risk students/juveniles through focus on social/emotional and life skills
• Teach problem solving, perspective taking and language acquisition to students with developmental delays
• Improve relationships and respect for others via student management
• Provide support for the attendance/dropout prevention system

Working with large and powerful animals helps participants overcome fear.  Fear and anger go hand in hand.  At risk youth have learned to channel fear into anger to feel more powerful.  Accomplishing tasks involving horses, in spite of this fear, creates confidence and helps the participants deal with other intimidating situations in life. 

Like humans, horses have distinct personalities.  They provide opportunities for metaphorical learning.  Using metaphors is an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.

Horses can mirror human body language.  Participants learn if they change their behavior, the horses will respond differently.

Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers.  Attachment is not only possible in this non-threatening relationship, but it is almost inevitable.  Positive relationships begin to make sense to the at-risk youth. 

Specific areas to confront in EAL sessions include, fear, anger, trust, compassion, and empathy.  By reflecting back to the youth what the horses’ body language is saying, the therapist provides the youth with the opportunity to remedy things right then and there.

The following is a synopsis of a 12 week program EAL program designed specifically to impact the main issues surrounding the developmental challenges an at-risk student faces. 

A baseline assessment will be conducted at the start of the 12 week program and again at the completion of all 12 weeks.

Sessions 1 and 2 – Find Your Horse; Halter & Catch

Sessions 3 and 4 – OK Lead Me; Create Your Corral

Sessions 5 and 6 – OK Move Me; OK Stay Here

Sessions 7 and 8 – Lounging; Life’s Little Obstacles

Sessions 9 and 10- Appendages; Ok Trust Me

Sessions 11 and 12- Ok Get Over it; Temptation Alley;

Classes are conducted by Behavior Specialist, Jennifer Kaut M.Ed and Equine Specialists, Shannon Kirchoff and Julie Biggs. 

Where Are We? Classes are held at our Equine Location: “Open My World”  www. openmyworld.org   We are available to come your school or agency to explain how our program can help your group of students- we also welcome suggestions on how we can tailor our current program to better meet their needs.

How Much? $15 per student/per session; 8-10 students per class – min.$80 per session – if 5 or less students enrolled.  Transportation needs to be provided. Lowered costs due to larger class size.