Michigan Equine Facilitated Learning
Horse Classes in Lansing, MI
How Our Experiential Learning
and Sports Psychology Classes Work
with Certified Instructors
Our Equine Facilitated Learning brings decades of experience with horses and PATH training and certification. Our students report that there are a lot of options out there, but that we are one of the only options in the area that uses PATH’s best practice of a licensed mental health professional and certified equine specialist (or a therapist that holds both credentials) in our classes. PATH is the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, the organization that has set the standard since its inception in 1969. PATH International was previously named NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) and currently serves over 60,000 participants per year and sets the gold standard for therapeutic riding and equine therapy.
You don’t have to keep searching for a program or spend years on a waiting list. We have a kind horse and a caring instructor in our Equine Facilitated Learning program waiting for you to begin your journey with horses.
Our Instructor Team has over 20 years of experience teaching these classes and more, and we’d love to have you join us! Please note that our group classes are full through summer, but you can join the waiting list for fall or request an individual session sooner by emailing us.
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Join a kind and caring group of horse lovers to do unmounted work with our beautiful, gentle lesson horses. We'll have opportunities to teach the horse simple obstacle courses and activities like painting, for a time of great fun and stress reduction. Students will practice teamwork and leadership, taking turns serving as leaders and followers and learning the skill set required to do both well. We will also learn the herd dynamics present when horses are in the field, observing how they navigate communication and stressful situations. This therapist-led class also covers sports psychology concepts, so young riders benefit from learning those skills that they can apply to riding lessons and other sports. This class is open to anyone ranging from advanced riders to students who have never met a horse before.
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Join our wonderful small group to do unmounted work with a kind and gentle show horse. We'll have opportunities to groom and braid the horse, and teach him some new tricks and games, working together to figure out what are the best ways to help the horse feel safe and calm in the midst of something new. Students will learn to lead the horse and care for him, and work on skills like bravery, communication and body language that helps reduce anxiety. Students have the option to "pass" on any activities they don't feel ready for, or to ask the group to help support them in a variety of ways, which is a great way to feel empowered and gain confidence and courage.
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Want to make changes that last? To experience more sustained peace? A group of women put this class together and would love to have others join them! Learn to use nature, mindfulness, self-compassion and anxiety reduction strategies to improve the season you're in. We'll be looking at how activities with bilateral expression like braiding can reduce stress and keep us grounded, and learn some new strategies related to deep breathing that can make it more effective than when you may have tried it before. We will also learn the herd dynamics present when horses are in the field, observing how they navigate communication and stressful situations. We'll help you identify goals that stick, and walk into this next season feeling proud of your growth - whether it's been a tough year or a great one, our caring and intuitive horses have an incredible way of helping us see the best in ourselves!
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There is so much pressure to look a certain way, eat a certain way and relate a certain way. Take the pressure off by joining us for a class full of relief, compassion and unconditional acceptance. Our horses can't wait to give you hugs and remind you of your incredible worth and lovability! A group of women put this class together and would love to have others join them. We will get to explore more about communication, leadership, body language, body positivity, improved focus and deep breathing with a beautiful, kind show horse. Students will learn to work with the horse on the ground, groom and care for it, and work on skills like confidence, self-acceptance and stress reduction.
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Looking for an opportunity to further bond and build magical memories with a child in your life? We'll have opportunities to groom and braid a kind and gentle kids' horse, and teach her some new tricks and games, working together in adult/child pairs to figure out what are the best ways to help the horse feel safe and calm in the midst of something new. Students will learn to communicate with the horse, groom and care for it, and work on skills like bravery, asking for help, communication and stress reduction. This class is open to any adult with a child aged 5-12 years old attending with them.