Manidoowi Bezhigoogzhii
EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING AND COUNSELLING
What is Equine Assisted Learning?
EAL is when horses are incorporated to assist clients with a variety of personal needs. This is an experiential treatment approach that involves horses, a registered EAL professional, with the option of a certified counsellor, and clients who partakes in hands-on equine activities.
These activities do not include or incorporate horseback riding. Manidoowi Bezhigoogzhii (Spirited Horse) offers an ‘out-of-office’ and 'on-the-land' environment for clients, allowing them to feel less confined to discuss their day-to-day struggles; or just simply discuss their hardships, past or present.
Photo Below: Manidoowi Bezhigoogzhii classroom.
Some of the benefits of Equine Assisted Learning
EAL helps to build trust between the counselor and client as well as motivation for the client to participate in and attending counselling. Facilitates feelings of peace and relaxation to ease when processing upsetting, stressful or traumatic experiences. Clients learn and practice coping skills, problem-solving, communication skills, social skills, calming skills, decision-making and even stress management. Clients tend to explore beliefs about them-self, others, and the world to become more aware. With the assistance of an equine, clients are able to enhance awareness of somatic (bodily) sensations and connect to thoughts and feelings. We assist in clients gaining self-confidence and empowerment. Our focus is to address symptoms and impairment related to a variety of concerns; such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, child behaviour problems, attention difficulties, relationship problems, anger issues and so much more.
Why Horses?
Horses are:
‣ Sensitive
‣ Quick to react
‣ React to stimulus
‣ Flight animal
‣ Honest feedback (horses don’t lie)
‣ Non judgmental
‣ Aware of surroundings
‣ Definite Boundaries
‣ Look for strong leadership
‣ Demand trust and respect
‣ Herd community - parallel to humans
‣ Body language
‣ Personalities
‣ Desensitize
‣ Powerful, large, intimidating
‣ Majestic/attention seeker
‣ Level the playing field
BEGIN YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY
WITH MANIDOOWI BEZHIGOOGZHII
Meet Your Teachers
SAREEVA
Born August 1 or 2012 on a farm names Omerage Farm which is located not far from Burrden Acres, Sareeva is part Belgian/Canadian/Percheron which means she is considered a draft-cross. Although she is the largest member of the herd, her status has recently been lowered from the “Boss Mare” to the second mare. Although she is approximately 2,000lbs, she doesn’t quite understand her size like humans do. To her, she is the same size as the rest of the herd.
SUGAR
Sugar’s age is unknown; however, vets have determined her age is somewhere in her late teens judging by the growth in her teeth. The teeth in a horses mouth can tell a lot about a horse, as at different stages in their lives, there is different growth and different teeth develop or fall out. There was a point in 2024 when both Sugar and Sareeva had a quarrel, and the outcome was promoting Sugar to “Boss Mare” status in the herd. When you observe the herd together, you can see the difference in ranking in their behaviour.
JACK
Jack, who has many different nicknames such as Jack-Jack, Jack-o-Lantern, Jackifer, as well as many others, came to Burrden Acres by happenstance. He was also born at a farm not far from Burrden Acres; however, the condition he was in as a young foal was extremely poor. As a result, Jack suffers under-developed eyes which somewhat clouds his vision, but luckily this doesn’t compromise his amazing personality. When he was rescued and brought to Burrden Acres, we really weren’t sure if he was going to survive. Fast forward four years, and he has excelled in his growth and he has taught so many of us some very valuable lessons. He has a heart of gold, a kind spirit and is as gentle as a butterfly. Jack is many of our client’s favourite teachers to work with, and it’s no question why.