FAQs

The skills we learn from horses are fundamental aspects of non-verbal communication that can provide a foundation for more effective understanding of what a person or animal is trying to say to us—and for listening to the non-verbal messages of our own heart and gut feelings.These skills can help us to communicate more effectively with our words as well, because we will be speaking after taking a wider view of our situation.

Specific applications of these skills can focus on topics such as:

• Horse Sense for Successful Testing
• Greener Pastures—Navigating Life Transitions
• Attune to Your Environment
• Trust Your Intuition—Listen to Your Inner Wisdom
• Restoring Balance and Harmony Through the Journey of the Horse
• Leadership—Find Your Hidden Strengths
• Unbridled Creativity

No limits—where would you like to add an Equine Dimension to your life or work?

The EponaQuest™ Approach provides people opportunities to learn from interactions with horses, then take the insights gained to access their authentic self and enhance their interactions with people as well as horses.The EponaQuest™ Approach was developed by Linda Kohanov and a team of teachers and counselors in Tucson, Arizona. “Epona” is the Celtic goddess of horses and the original name of this approach. As the work has expanded worldwide, the name has been changed to “EponaQuest” and trademarked to be unique. Linda Kohanov’s experiences and insights are chronicled in her inspiring books:

The Tao of Equus. A Woman’s Journey of Healing & Transformation Through the Way of the Horse. (2001)

Riding Between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential Through the Way of the Horse. (2003)

Way of the Horse: Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery—A Book of Exploration. With 40 Card Deck illustrated by Kim McElroy. (2007)

The Power of the Herd: A Nonpredatory Approach to Social Intelligence, Leadership and Innovation. (2013)

Experience the EponaQuest™ Approach in action at an Equine Dimension workshop or book a private session today!

Based on Linda Kohanov’s newest book, The Power of the Herd, these programs focus on the key emotional/social intelligence skills which form the foundation for non-predatory power and visionary leadership—in your personal and professional life, at home, in the workplace and in the wider community. Experiential learning activities with the horses help us to exercise these skills and workshops include processing and integration to learn how to translate theses skills directly to human contexts away from the barn.

Power of the Herd programs offered include:

• In-house interactive presentations for businesses (intro without horses present)
• Equine-facilitated experiential learning retreats (with horses)
• Power of the Herd dynamic book club experience—read the book and experience the Twelve Guiding Principles live with horses.

Equine Dimension founder Sharon Alley has completed training beyond the EponaQuest™ apprenticeship to be authorized to offer Power of the Herd programs.

Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning offers participants the opportunity to learn skills in their interactions with horses that will enhance their non-verbal communication, emotional agility, self-confidence, creativity, insight, and awareness. While interactions with horses can be healing and help to restore balance and harmony, experiential learning programs are not counseling or therapy sessions. Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy sessions are facilitated by a team including one or more horses and a mental health professional. These sessions may include the same kind of activities as an Equine-Facilitated Experiential Learning workshop—what distinguishes these programs is that a trained counselor would guide the participant through processing and integrating their insights and experiences. Equine Dimension’s team includes both teachers and counselors, so both Experiential Learning and Psychotherapy with horses are available. We are also happy to cooperate with mental health professionals who want to add an Equine Dimension to their practice.

Humans of all ages can enjoy equine-facilitated learning. Programs can be designed to meet the needs of specific groups and multi-generational programs have been very successful.

Yes. People with special needs can included in regularly scheduled programs. Modifications and accommodations will be made to assure success and safety. Custom programs can also be designed for groups or individuals with special needs.

The foundation of this approach to learning from horses is the conviction that a horse’s natural responses and non-verbal communication can teach human partners important insights into our own responses and non-verbal communication. Horses mirror our behaviors and offer us a chance to understand what we are communicating when we observe their responses to us. As natural horse behaviors are the basis of this work, they need not be specially trained to participate in these activities. Horses chosen to be co-facilitators of experiential learning programs need to be reliable horses who are well-socialized, so that clients can safely interact with the horses.

The foundation experiential learning activities involve interacting with horses on the ground and no previous riding experience is necessary. Program descriptions indicate which workshops include mounted activities. Private sessions are tailored to the needs of the individual and can include riding.

The EponaQuest™ Approach activities with horses, which include processing and integration activities, can deepen the connection and cooperation between horse and rider—and enhance communication on the ground as well. Skills learned will increase your self-awareness and help you to become more balanced and centered and thus, to be a more effective trainer.

The techniques you learn and skills you practice in the sessions give you insights during the workshop, and are activities you can continue with the horses you ride, work and live with. As you integrate these lessons into your own communication, listening more profoundly to your own body’s wisdom and including non-verbal communication, you increase mutual trust with your horse and improved cooperation, leading to more enjoyable and successful collaboration in the saddle and on the ground.

Attuned to members of the herd and alert to their environment, horses are very sensitive to the emotions of others. Through simple interactions with the horses, you gain insight into yourself and in the processing and integration of these experiences. In each workshop you hone your skills of verbal and non-verbal communication. You learn to listen to your own heart and gut perceptions; hear the message behind emotions; communicate clearly so that you balance independence and connection with other people. Bring the wisdom gained from interacting with the horses to your personal and professional life and your authentic self thrives.

Yes! Private individual or group sessions can be held at your barn or at a cooperating facility near you.

Horses resonate with the emotions of others and are alert to nuances of body language in those around them. Expressive and forthright, horses offer us immediate feedback on our own communication—and how our actions are speaking when we feel we are holding our tongues. The insights you gain and skills you hone working with the horses, processing and integrating these experiences in the workshop will empower you in your personal life and career.

Introductory programs can be tailored to meet the needs of a group—meeting in a conference room, classroom or library for a presentation and activities—or going straight to the barn for an introduction with the horses. Topics can include any of Linda Kohanov’s books, or any of the focus areas of the programs listed on this website. Please contact us to discuss the needs and interests of your group!

Yes! We are glad to design custom programs to meet the needs of individuals or businesses. Our special focus is to add an Equine Dimension to any field. So we look forward to discussing creative innovations with you–please contact us!