Stories from the Round Pen...
A School Counselor during a Session with at Risk Boys:
E. decided that he wanted to be successful and started to work with Sarah the horse in a very focused manner. He used the different zones to engage the horse and continued to try even though it did not seem to work right away. Eventually he was very successful in moving Sarah. He displayed good leadership and was apparently very pleased with the results. E. then moved off to a side of the round pen and covered his face with his shirt.
Health Practitioner:
My time in the ring with you and Ruby was very worthwhile and reflected back a surprisingly broad spectrum of interpersonal (including inter-species :) ) and inner personal relating issues.
I continue to be more aware of some of the issues that the session touched on for me:
I continue to be more aware of some of the issues that the session touched on for me:
- Self judgment about how I go about tasks and my effectiveness, competency.
- Interpersonal boundaries - What is appropriate? When are they pushed? How do I respond?
- What motivates me? How to find out? How do I motivate them?
- What are reasonable expectations? What feedback does the other give me?
- How do we find mutually respectful common ground and work together to accomplish something?
- Where is the balance in the moment with work and play?
- What are my long term, mid term, short term goals as I approach a task? When do the goals interfere with what happening in the present?
Client:
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My first equine-assisted counseling session with Pia and her horse Jade was surprising and enlightening. Given my total inexperience with horses and my slight fear of them, it was empowering to see how quickly I could learn to communicate my wishes to a 1300-pound animal who was willing to accept my lead when I was unequivocal, firm, and respectful, and who was happy to ignore me completely if I wasn't. I felt something important happened and I felt kind of high on horsepower for several days afterwards.
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