What is the Horse's Gift? Equine Experiential learning

"Horses have been here the entire time of our evolution. And when we “see” them with our heart and eyes wide open, the whole library of life’s wisdom is revealed to us.." Julie

The Horse's Gift is a pathway to joy and inner wisdom with private sessions, retreats, walks and workshops based on equine experiential learning activities.

Equine facilitated experiential learning (EFEL) is a leading-edge modality for developing human potential. It is the process of learning through experience, and is more specifically defined as learning through reflection on interacting with the horses

or simply being with them. No prior horse experience is required. All the work is done safely from the ground and has been created for the non-horse person and the avid horse-people alike.

Julie Bechu, main facilitator and owner at The Horse's Gift, trained in America to become one of the first Australian graduate in equine experiential learning.

It can benefit all individuals and couples that are willing to improve their wellbeing, relationship with themselves and others, affected by depression, anxiety, stress, "burnout", Post traumatic disorder or simply for whom may wish to create more joy and harmony in their life.

As Linda Kohanov explained in her book "Riding Between The Worlds":

“The equine system is like a huge receiver and amplifier for emotional vibrations. No matter how good you are at hiding things from yourself and others, your nervous system still involuntarily broadcasts what you’re really feeling at a frequency horses are especially good at tuning into. They are only comfortable when authentic feelings and motivations are being acknowledged."

The observation that horses mirror “the feeling behind the facade” is one of the key principles of a equine facilitated experiential learning (EFEL) workshop.

Through a series of activities, with and without horses, you gain a better understanding of who you are, learn to listen to your body and the messages it can give you, connect with how you feel, become aware of your own potential and creativity, find what your heart sings for and embody that balanced alignment between body, mind, and soul.

Our Horses live as close as possible to their natural environment. So they live outside in a herd and have enough grass to live happily and healthily. It is important for me that horses get equal respect and consideration.

They work in co-creation with us and deserve the best.

It is so much more powerful to share that experience by creating a healthy place of connection for both of us.

You will learn to find within yourself more awareness, presence, compassion, self confidence, strength, patience, gratitude, freedom, love, courage and connection with all other beings.

You will learn what the messages behind emotions are, improving your relationships and how to communicate with yourself and others. Horse-facilitated activities can help you recognize the conditioning of our society and parenting so you can move beyond the coping strategies associated with surviving in a competitive world.

You can become your “real you,” connected with your creativity and sacred potential.

Marianne Williamson in Return to Love wrote:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of this Universe. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.”

And yet that’s exactly what most of us do, not on purpose and usually not consciously. Horses can guide us on our way back to power and stepping into our true self. They remind us how beautiful and free each one of us is, and how unlimited is our potential.

They become both a mirror and a companion on the journey towards self realization, empowerment, and joy.

I will close this page with a beautiful quote from my beloved teacher, Barbara Alexander :

“Just Be-ing with these sentient beings provides a sense of peace, like deep meditation, allowing you to quiet your mind.

When you quiet your mind you stop thought; when you stop thought you stop resistance; when you stop resistance... you are in a state of allowing.

Then clarity and inner guidance can flow, you enhance the ability to tune into your non-verbal intelligence and you move towards a life in balance.”