EAL conference

[intouch]

Fantastic 2 days at Festina Lente Equine Assisted Learning Conference, so much information packed into such a short time. Jill from FL told us about the progress they are making in introducing EAL for children, they have super horses including 2 beautiful miniatures, and they have got grant from AIB to support this work.
Fortune centre and Circles network from UK told us about their work with children and STEPPS addiction rehabilitation through EAL gave us a very moving talk about some of the successful results their horses have achieved. In fact there were quite a lot of tears over the W/E - some of the stories were so moving.
Highlights for me were Hugh McCann, an international coach who talked about how horses could teach increased awareness, commnication skills, appropriate assertiveness, clarity of intention, patience, accountability, collaboration and appreciation. I wanted to take him home with me, his knowledge was so vast.
Finally Kathryn Kincannon, Chris Irwin's wife, talked about the importance of horse language, and showed how round pen work could teach young people all of what Hugh talked about. Great stuff!
As I've just got my EAGALA Certification, (equine specialist) I can't wait to get out and practice this - it's a whole different way of being with horses, and fits in so well with NH.
Lesley

[Elaine]

Cool! whats involved in the EAGALA cert?

[zuzan]

Hi Elaine I asked that of EAGALA .. there are 2 streams Health Proffessionals and the Equine Proffesionals.. more info here www.eagala.org.uk/TrainingInfo/EAGALACertProgv8eu.pdf

I was quite interested in the equine stream but without seeing what it's about and how they are with horses I wasn't sure.. it's a bit difficult as you can't go and observe as this is breaching client confidentialilty.. however there is the conference www.eagala.org.uk/conference/Flyer%202008.pdf

Sue

[intouch]

What a funny coincidence - I have just today bought a round pen from Knight's Round Pens and the lady was telling me that she is presenting at the conference - I meant to check out the price, thanks for reminding me!
The best way to find out about it is to experience a session! You don't have to need "therapy" to enjoy it, in fact you are probably seeing it every day with your horses, it's just a matter of recognising the "SPUDS" - Shifts in behaviour, Patterns, Unique occurences, Discrepancies, and developing Self Awareness.
There are loads of exercises for various challenges, but just being with a group of horses can bring to light all sorts of insights.
EAGALA Europe hold introductory days, then part one is the main bit, working with the horses and different groups and role play situations. The second part is the certification, it follows up and consilidates the first part, demonstrates more techniques and goes more into admin like insurance and stuff.
An EAGALA session includes the client or clients, one or more horses, an equine specialist and a mental health specialist, at least one of whom has to be EAGALA certified.
EAGALA at one time were a bit suspect as they seemed to put the humans needs before the horses, but they have got that together now and take the welfare of the horses very seriously.
About 50% of the people at the Chris Irwin clinic at FLF were EAGALA people - he is very into it as well as the training. They go hand in hand, you really get to know yourself!
Lesley