The Science and Heart of Equine Facilitated Learning: How Horses Help Us Grow
- Ingrid Adolphs
- Oct 29
- 4 min read
At Stable Strides Foundation, we believe that horses offer us something truly extraordinary — a way to reconnect with ourselves, others, and the natural world.
They meet us without judgment
or expectation. In their presence, we begin to slow down, breathe, and listen — not only to them, but to what’s happening inside ourselves.
Through Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL), we invite people of all ages to experience that kind of connection: one that fosters confidence, calm, and genuine personal growth.
What Is Equine Facilitated Learning?
Equine Facilitated Learning is an experiential way of learning and growing in partnership with horses. It isn’t about riding or mastering techniques. It’s about learning through relationship — discovering what happens when we bring our full, authentic selves into connection with another sentient being.
In an EFL session, participants might observe, groom, or lead a horse, guided by a trained facilitator. Horses respond honestly to body language, emotion, and intention. Their feedback helps us become aware of patterns that often go unnoticed — how we lead, how we communicate, how we manage stress — and opens the door for gentle, lasting change.
“Horses reflect not who we want to be, but who we are in the moment — and that’s where real growth begins.”
Why Horses?
Horses live fully in the present moment. They can’t be fooled by words — they respond to what is real.
If we’re distracted, anxious, or disconnected, they notice. When we become grounded, clear, and authentic, they respond with trust and ease.
That mirroring creates powerful opportunities for growth:
Emotional regulation and calm — learning to breathe, soften, and find balance.
Confident communication — discovering the power of intention over control.
Empathy and connection — recognizing how our energy affects others.
Leadership through trust — guiding, not forcing, cooperation.
Every interaction with a horse is a mirror — a living reminder that connection begins with presence.
The HERD Institute Approach
At Stable Strides Foundation, all of our facilitators are certified through the HERD Institute, an internationally recognized leader in Equine Facilitated Learning.
HERD’s approach is grounded in trauma-informed, relational, and experiential learning. That means every session is guided by curiosity, compassion, and respect — for both human and horse.
The HERD philosophy reminds us that:
Safety and empowerment come first. Learning unfolds at the participant’s pace.
Horses are partners, not tools. Their choices and comfort matter as much as ours.
Authentic relationship is the foundation for all learning.
The body holds wisdom — and horses help us tune back into it.
This trauma-informed framework ensures that each person feels safe, seen, and supported as they explore new ways of being.
What the Research Shows
Research continues to affirm what so many people experience firsthand — that spending time with horses can reduce stress, build confidence, and strengthen emotional regulation.
Studies have shown that equine-facilitated programs can:
Decrease anxiety and PTSD symptoms in veterans
Improve self-esteem, empathy, and behavior regulation in youth
Support focus and motivation in learning environments
Foster physiological calm through heart rate and hormonal synchronization between horse and human
These findings come from respected journals such as Military Medicine, Children & Youth Services Review, Society & Animals, and the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health.
Science is beginning to catch up with what horse people have always known — that the bond between humans and horses has the power to heal, teach, and transform.
“The science confirms what our hearts already know: horses help us heal, grow, and find our way back to ourselves.”
Why Certification Matters
When you participate in an EFL session with Stable Strides Foundation, you’re working with facilitators who are not only passionate but also professionally trained.
Our HERD Institute certification ensures that every program is:
Trauma-informed — built on safety, consent, and empowerment.
Ethical — honoring the wellbeing and voice of every horse.
Evidence-based — grounded in research and experiential learning theory.
It’s this blend of heart and integrity that allows transformation to unfold naturally — in an environment of mutual trust and respect.
The Heart of the Work
At its core, Equine Facilitated Learning is about relationship — the quiet, powerful kind that changes us from the inside out.
In the barn, growth doesn’t come through words or instruction. It comes through presence, trust, and connection. Horses remind us that calm is contagious, that leadership can be gentle, and that healing often begins with simply being seen.
Every session tells a story:
A child learning to steady their breath.
A teen discovering their voice.
A veteran finding peace in stillness.
In these moments, something shifts. Horses remind us that healing doesn’t always require words — just presence, trust, and the courage to show up as we are.
These are small moments, yet they carry lasting impact. They’re the reason we do this work — to create spaces where people and horses can meet in truth, compassion, and possibility.
At Stable Strides Foundation, we are honored to witness these transformations every day. Horses stand beside us as true partners in human growth, healing, and learning — reminding us that when we listen with openness, change happens naturally.
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