Equine Learning is gaining attention these days.

Bow Valley High School (BVHS) just finished their first equine learning program, which consisted of 6 sessions of education with a horse as their teacher. This course has been implemented within the Rocky View School Division and is designed to have students learn about building relationships, self-awareness, communication, and caring for self and others, learning through the horses.

The chosen students for this program are taken to a third-party facility once a week for six weeks, where they are paired up with their horse partner.  In that time, these students will learn to from the animals, and through specific exercises will develop interpersonal skills that they will be able to carry into other aspects of their lives.

Chelsea Jackson, Rocky View School Division, Learning Specialist, says this program is new to BVHS but has been in other Rocky View schools for a few years.  They have observed some tremendous success with helping students focus on life tools, strategies and transformation. She describes how working with the horses effect the students.

"It’s all about working with the horse because it can mirror your own strengths, challenges and fears with authentic expressions. They use the horses to bring focus and attention to the present."

Jackson says the main goal is to have this as an integrated part of the curriculum as it is in high demand, but for now it is run on a limited grant. She says that they are working on creative for funding.

Carrie Watson, Equine Assisted Provider for BVHS says this is a safe, outside the box learning experience for students that may not fit the mold of the regular classroom work.

"Equine Assisted Learning offers a place where kids can do some self-reflection and growth and be able to tie it in so they can bridge it to other aspects of their lives working through support of the mental health professional they are working with."

Equine Assisted Learning is available for individuals age 10 and up.  Certified providers offer different programs for children, schools, and adults.