Lapwai Equine Assisted Program Tribal Paper Article June 201

Join us to learn with the Horses

Lapwai Equine Assisted Program for Life Enrichment

Perhaps you’ve seen the LEAP flyers posted around town, in the newspaper, or you visited our booth at the Women’s Wellness Fair at the Clearwater Casino in May. If you are curious to learn more about this horse program or how you and your family can participate in the Lapwai Equine Assisted Program, read on.

Nimiipuu Health Behavioral Health started LEAP as a way to expand life enrichment services for the community. Our afterschool program began in May with an adolescent girls group. As well as lots of smiles, the comments we have received from participants include, “We love it”, and “Its great to be with the horses again.” Our Equine Assisted groups for Parent/Guardian and younger kids, and a group for young men are planned to start in June.

We practice a variety of activities, starting out with simple observation, understanding non verbal communication, establishing safe and healthy boundaries, then expanding to hands on work with the horses, and supported riding activities. There is an emphasis on enjoying being outside learning from nature, the horses and each other. Expressive arts and creativity are part of this learning model for positive social change.

The program is offered free of charge and transportation will be provided from Nimiipuu Behavioral Health office to the horse location. Our outdoor classroom is in Spalding with the Chief Joseph Foundation Appaloosa horses. LEAP is a compliment to the other great cultural, horsemanship, and riding programs available in the community. Our session’s focus on horse guided human transformation. Opportunities to succeed are created within a positive present moment focused experiential learning model. Our team consists of Counselors, an Equine Facilitated Learning Instructor, the kids, and of course the horses. We create a supportive environment where a therapeutic alliance develops between the all of the participants. Horses are treated as equal partners in the process.

Scientific evidence now confirms the healing effects of being with horses. As well as lowering blood pressure, and reducing stress cortisol hormones, horses help us form strong relationships built on mutual respect and understanding. Being around horses increases feelings of curiosity, optimism, and creativity. They can also help us to be motivated and improve our ability to learn. Healthy communication, emotional expression, and relationship skills are developed through horse heart connections. All of what is learned with the horses is transferrable to the rest of our lives at home, school, and in the community. Close interaction with horses promotes mental, emotional, and relational balance. Participants have the opportunity to develop inner strength, leadership, cooperation, and community-mindedness. Join in the fun.

This article was written by LEAP co-facilitator by Linda Kingsbury, PhD, who is an accredited EponaQuest™ Equine Facilitated Learning Instructor and Equine Specialist for Mental Health and Learning. She is a member of PATH Professional Associated for Therapeutic Horsemanship, Appaloosa Horse Club, and CADCA Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America. 

Listen to the Horse

Listen to the Horse

It’s been a month since we met on a windy winter’s Sunday at A Wild Purple Ranch and Retreat west of Tucson to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Horse. I extended my stay in Arizona specifically to attend this event organized by Qyuun and Dee from Institute for the Shamanic Arts in Tucson. This sacred space in the desert developed by Artist Nancy Newton created the perfect location for our transformational day.

We began by walking the labyrinth of the land following the stone edged paths. Our hearts drew us to her creative sanctuaries along our way out to the fire pit. Gathering dried bits of desert plants created a deeper connection to the land. I felt one with the women who had gone before me gathering twigs in the past to heat their homes and warm their food, the women of wisdom who had supported my time in the desert over the past few years. I made an offering for each piece of this fuel for our fire of transformation. As the fire was being built, I led a chorus of Brooke Medicine Eagle’s fire song, Grandfather Fire Rising Higher from her CD Gathering:The Sacred Breath.

Corona and Bella were perfect horse companions for our drumming journeys. The sound of their hooves and the drum beats created a stairway to heaven with each breath. This buoyant path allowed me the flexibility to move between heaven and earth. I was given a glimpse of heaven. My path was not to stay there, but to bring the light back to create a vibrant life on earth. With horse as my companion I could do this with courage, confidence, and comfort.

Later in the day we moved to a larger arena where Corona and Bella walked curiously around us as we drummed. They made the rounds with each of us as we sat in the open arena. Being in this circle of love was truly a horse heart connection experience.

I shared several circle songs including a new adaptation of my own song “Listen to the Earth” that came through to me in 1994 when I first moved to Idaho. The 2014 version in honor of the horses is:

Listen to the Horse
©Linda Kingsbury

Listen to the Horse
Listen to the Horse
Listen to the Horse
Find your way home.

Follow what she says
Follow what she says
Follow what she says
Bring yourself back home.

Home to the Earth
Home to the Earth
Home to the Earth
Place of your birth.

As you listen to the horse, may your heart expand and your life be filled with joy, success, and a sense of belonging.

Self Discovery with the Heart of the Horse

Once you are touched by the heart of a horse, you will never be the same. Your life will blossom and change.

Horse Heart Connection is about embarking on a path of self discovery through the way of horse. As we open to the possibility of horses being teachers and guides along our journey of conscious co creation and discovering our authentic selves, we create a foundation of support with transferable skills to the rest of our lives. We can bring what we experience kinesthetically with our equine friends into our personal and professional lives. As we awaken to our own aha’s and insights into our behavior and thoughts, we learn how to safely create new patterns of being. Our ability to accept love and support increases. This builds self esteem and self acceptance, allowing us to be open to unconditional love for ourselves and others. Successful interactions with the horses transfers into our communities and creating the template for a peaceful world. At Horse Heart Connection the inter-species communication work we do benefits both horses and humans.

For a free brochure about our work and upcoming Spring 2012 workshop schedule call 208-883-9933 or email HorseHeartConnection@gmail.com