Equine Learning
What is Equine Assisted Learning ?
A facilitated non-riding workshop that focuses on relaxation, communication skills, and goal setting.
You will be encouraged to investigate challenges in your life and ministry with the help of Vickie Cottle, Advanced Epona Instructor and life-long horsewoman.Horses are used in this non-riding learning environment because they are much more effective at confronting behaviors and attitudes due to their honesty and their ability to observe, respond, and understand nonverbal communication.
When a horse is included in a learning environment the equation of power has shifted. The presence of the horse open a pathway to healing, happiness, and learning new skills.
The Shepherd’s Psalm
One of the exercises we do during the Equine Ministry Workshop is to choose a passage of scripture and meditate on it during the day spent with the horses. In September 2013, I chose the 23rd Psalm. Here is the result, rewritten from the horse’s perspective.
By Rev. Robert J. Wagener, MA, MDiv
“The Lord is our guide, together we shall find sustenance and our needs will be met. We graze together because there is comfort and safety in numbers. When we come to cool waters we share the thirst-quenching liquid so that we all can survive. Our leader finds the right paths to take and we travel together because of companionship’s sake. When danger arises, we protect each other’s back. When death comes, we neither fight, nor flee from it, since we know we have completed our journey and we are not alone. When pastures are dry and dusty, we travel on to greener fields, because we trust that our guide is also the Great Provider who spreads out the bounty of nourishment like a carpet.
Surely, our blessing, like soothing oil, is the connection we share for all our days upon the earth.”
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