A Little about Me
As a mom to two incredible kids, Cayden and Wacey, my heart is full. We live just outside the small town of Entwistle, Alberta – about an hour west of Edmonton. Here, we are truly blessed to live a rodeo life with the horses we build, traveling to many towns across this great province.
When I’m not on the ranch, my off-the-ranch job keeps me busy as a Detachment Clerk for the Evansburg RCMP, four days a week. But my biggest dream, the one I’m so excited to share with everyone, is building life skills with horses as our teachers.
“Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a research-based and experiential approach to personal development that harnesses the unique communication and social dynamics of horses. “
By engaging in structured exercises with horses, participants build essential life skills, regain confidence, and develop strategies for resilience and emotional well-being.
The Science Behind Equine-Assisted Learning
This certification program is built on research that integrates how human beings learn with how wild horses communicate. By bringing these two areas of research together, EAL provides an objective-driven and progressive learning experience. Each exercise is intentionally designed to build upon previous lessons, ensuring that participants develop an “armor of skills” that strengthens over time. This step-by-step learning process equips individuals with the tools necessary to navigate personal challenges, rebuild trust, and foster self-reliance.
Horses, as prey animals, are highly attuned to their surroundings and communicate through body language. In this program, horses act as unbiased mirrors, responding instinctively to the emotions and actions of participants. This immediate, honest feedback encourages self-reflection, helping individuals identify emotional barriers, recognize patterns in their behaviour, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EAL allows participants to engage in experiential learning, making the lessons tangible and transformative.
Building Resilience Through Equine-Assisted Learning
One of the most powerful aspects of this program is the emphasis on safety—both physically and emotionally. Safety is the number one priority for horses, just as it is for individuals recovering from trauma. By working with horses in a safe and structured environment, participants learn to rebuild their sense of security, develop emotional awareness, and restore self-trust.