What is EFL & RFI?

What is EFL?

Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) is an emerging field in which horses and humans work together experientially. Participants engage in activities with horses on the ground to learn more about themselves and others.

These learning activities can be used for exploring an individual’s specific and personal needs or they can be used to explore group dynamics.

The EFL activities assist in developing the following:

A more creative, authentic and powerful presence
Self-confidence and self-awareness
Emotional intelligence
An understanding and acceptance of your emotions and learning to use them as information
Non-verbal communication skills
The ability to establish and maintain clear consistent boundaries and personal space
Emotional empowerment in relationships
The ability to recognize and move beyond conditioned behaviours and thought patterns
The ability to trust yourself and others
Dynamic self-expression
Insight and intuition
Emotional resilience

Experience or knowledge of horses is not required. The only requirement is an open mind and a willingness to engage. Even people with a fear of horses can benefit from this work. The horse is simply there to help facilitate the process.

How does it work?

Typically, the clients and horses participate in the learning activities on the ground, and the trained facilitator guides the learning process. Rather than focusing on personal issues the focus is on concepts and principles. It is important to understand that we are not trying to ‘fix you’ or solve your problems, rather, the horse and the facilitator are gently holding the space for you to achieve more understanding of yourself and more knowingness of your own behaviors. Supporting you as you co-create a new way of being. The emphasis is on learning how to thrive rather than simply survive!

What is RFI?

Riding Focused Instructor (RFI) is a trained facilitator who has completed the riding focused apprenticeship. RFI is another component of EFL that involves learning activities that are conducted while riding ON the horse’s back as opposed to being the ground.

Participants engage in mounted activities with the horses to learn more about themselves and others.

These learning activities can be used for exploring an individual’s specific and personal needs or they can be used to explore group dynamics.

The RFI activities assist in developing the following:

A more creative, authentic and powerful presence
Self-confidence and self-awareness
Emotional intelligence
An understanding and acceptance of your emotions and learning to use them as information
Non-verbal communication skills
The ability to establish and maintain clear consistent boundaries and personal space
Emotional empowerment in relationships
The ability to recognize and move beyond conditioned behaviours and thought patterns
The ability to trust yourself and others
Dynamic self-expression
Insight and intuition
Emotional resilience

How does it work?

Typically, the clients and horses participate in the learning activities on horseback, and the trained facilitator guides the learning process. Rather than focusing on personal issues the focus is on concepts and principles. It is important to understand that we are not trying to ‘fix you’ or solve your problems, rather, the horse and the facilitator are gently holding the space for you to achieve more understanding of yourself and more knowingness of your own behaviors. Supporting you as you co-create a new way of being. The emphasis is on learning how to thrive rather than simply survive!

What is the difference between EFL, EFEL, EAL and EGEL?

It is important to note that currently in this new and emerging field there are a variety of terms, models and abbreviations being used. For example, EFL (Equine Facilitated Learning), EFEL (Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning), EAL (Equine Assisted Learning), and EGEL (Equine Guided Experiential Learning) are all generally referring to the same thing, an interaction between horses and people designed to promote experiential learning for all the participants. At the heart of each model is the extraordinary insights horses can provide by just being horses! To simplify the terminologies, at Skerrett Equine we have chosen to use the term EFL.

Do you need to be qualified to facilitate EFL or RFI?

Ben Skerrett who facilitates our EFL and RFI is fully qualified through Eponaquest.

Eponaquest, is a multi-disciplinary organization where humans and horses are supported in co-creating a new way of being. One that emphasizes authenticity, collaboration, and experimentation.

The Eponaquest process considers the constant interplay of body, mind, spirit, and emotion. Participants explore self-awareness and emotional intelligence in-turn strengthening self-esteem and personal empowerment in the process.

The process also focuses on consensus-building models that teach people how to ‘take the reins’ of any situation without lapsing into the pitfalls of dominance, alienation, intimidation or victimization. The emphasis is on learning how to thrive rather than simply survive.