We give children the tools they need to become successful readers
Social-emotional issues, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns often get in the way of student learning
Horse Powered Reading® can break through those challenges giving students a chance to learn or reinforce reading and other academic skills in the moment
How it works
Horse Powered Reading® integrates social-emotional learning with academics; thus allowing students see and experience reading with their entire mind, body and emotions by creating metaphors for the skills involved in reading.
Students interact with horses from the ground, while using toys and props to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills - phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension
* Session goals vary depending upon the needs of the individual or group
We use the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala) model of Equine Assisted Learning as the foundation.
During sessions, students are given the opportunity to…
Identify
Issues affecting learning are identified and made visible by the client, through the use of obstacles (toys and props), which symbolize stumbling blocks that get in the way of understanding
photo credit: LyonHeart Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy, Kearney, Nebraska, USA
Experience
Memory retention and recall improve dramatically when movement anchors learning
Issues getting in the way of academic and social emotional growth are addressed by our expert team in the moment
Connect
Students are allowed to choose their own horse to work with, just as they would choose a book to read
Students are then given an opportunity to connect with their chosen “book”
Reflect
Sessions allow students a chance to reflect on what they are experiencing and provide an opportunity to create new patterns of learning in a supported environment
Discover how we are helping children all around the world
To learn more, watch our video lovingly created by HPR facilitator Monica Kubik from MSB Connect in Dubai, United Arab Emirates who has gifted this version to all HPR programs to use
In the picture above, clients were asked to create their road to reading at Cross P Ranch in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, USA
Powering through challenges
Horse Powered Reading® focuses on the learning process for the individual and builds upon children’s natural curiosity and determination.
During sessions, students are allowed to make discoveries and experiment with knowledge firsthand.
Our facilitators are trained to see what tools (toys and props) the child uses to choose and connect with their book (horse) and how that connection is made.
The interaction between client and horse gives the facilitator insight into what the client is experiencing inside and what patterns are working or not working for them. That interplay allows for profound learning to take place.
Through this process, the horse creates an opportunity for immediate feedback and experiential learning to take place.
photo credit: Rise Canyon Ranch, Orange, California, USA
Why horses?
Horses can help clients learn to build connections
They are honest in the way they react to situations
Horses are extremely sensitive to the actions of humans
Horses have an incredible ability to pick up on our non-verbal behavior
Horses will only bond with someone when they feel the person is being "authentic"
photo credit: LyonHeart Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy, Kearny, Nebraska, USA
Skills addressed
Decoding - building phonics skills and sight word recognition
Vocabulary enhancement
Fluency development - reading quickly, accurately and with expression
Overcome barriers blocking comprehension
Practice study skills
Comprehend textbooks
Learn new, unfamiliar, and multi-syllable words
Achieve higher order thinking
Use critical and creative thinking
We track measurable results
Our research has discovered it only takes a few key reading skills combined with motivation, self-efficacy/confidence, and persistence, all of which are taught by the horses, to create an exponential growth in learning.
Pre- & Post- Assessments
QRI-5 Word List Assessment
QRI-5 Graded Paragraph Assessment
Elementary Reading Attitude Survey
Motivations for Reading Questionnaire
The Reader Self-Perception Scale
Parent Interviews Six Months After Tutoring
What People Are Saying
“"We saw an immediate improvement in his reading at school, and steady improvement since. Just last week he finished reading a 268 page book. It took him eight days to read it. Not bad for a 7 year old. He has become a self motivated as well as confident reader."
- Proud Parent
“It was a BLAST! I LOVE it! I LOVE my horse! Can I take her home?”
- Eager Student
“Even the kids who normally avoid work were eager to do the activities!”
- Pleasantly Surprised Classroom Teacher
