Southlands Therapeutic Riding Society
Southlands Therapeutic Riding Society (STaRS) is a registered, non-profit charity that provides therapeutic equestrian opportunities for individuals living with physical, developmental, cognitive and/or mental health disabilities.

Contact Us

Southlands Therapeutic Riding Society
Tel: 604-837-2042
Email: stars@ponies.ca
Address: 6767 Balaclava St, Vancouver, BC., V6N 0A7

 

Equine Assisted Learning

What to expect during the session

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)/Equine Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long with our wonderful counsellor and one of our therapeutic ponies or horses. The sessions are unmounted (no riding) and use Strength-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Applied Behaviour Analysis with a person-centred approach catered to what the client wants and needs help with. These interventions are used while working with the horse and completing activities such as horse care, brushing, leading the horse, communicating with horses, understanding body language, practicing empathy, natural horsemanship, emotional regulation, and stress management.

Session Costs

Individual 50 minutes session $155.00 (tax included).

* No horse or riding experience required.

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“When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have.”

– Sir Winston Churchill

Horses as co-facilitators

Sprite and rider

Sprite and rider

  • They are always authentic and they communicate feeling with non-verbal behaviour. Noticing horse behaviour can help us to become more connected with our own bodily reactions and feelings.
  • Horses can help communication when finding words is too hard.
  • They move and keep us moving which allows tension and stress to move through and out of our bodies.
  • Horses are large, powerful animals. They can help us feel empowered by helping us overcome our fears.
  • Horses are also very attuned to their environment in the here and now. Being present with them can help us ground, build safety and create connection.
  • Finally, horses can invite touch and physical connection which can provide comfort, affection, and even love.

All equine sessions utilize experiential and interactive learning assisted by horses in a safe environment. The sessions may include activities such as observing equines from across a fence; discussing herd behaviour or equine psychology, grooming, simple leading exercises, liberty (equal ratio of horses to people), mounted horseback riding, as well as present moment and body awareness activities.