Emphasizing the horse-human connection through unique equine experiences.
Horsemanship
Learning to care for and communicate with horses can be beneficial for people of all ages and backgrounds. Horsemanship helps develop communication skills, self-confidence, leadership, and problem-solving skills, as well as patience, empathy and improvements in personal relationships.
Being around horses can be a meditative experience and may lower blood pressure and stress hormones. The physical activity involved with caring for a horse is a way to get exercise while being outdoors.
Our horsemanship classes include safety practices when handling horses, grooming, equipment, horse sense, instincts, body language, body parts, coloring and markings, groundwork skills.
Equine Facilitated Therapy
Participating in equine-facillitated therapy sessions can help people achieve a state of greater emotional, mental, and spiritual balance.
Our sessions follow the model of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) - a team approach that includes a licensed/credentialed Mental Health Professional, a qualified Equine Specialist, and any number of our equine partners working together with the client in an arena at all times.
When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with the client as they wish. This creates the space for the client, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.
Horseback Riding Lessons
Riding is a partnership between horse and human, enhancing leadership and communication skills, assertiveness, confidence, and physical ability.
New riders will benefit from Horsemanship as a prerequisite to riding, although it is not necessary. Riding instructor Deanna Saul is a member of the Certified Horsemanship Association and can help riding students reach their goals through the C.H.A. program.
Wild Horse Gentling and Training
Gentling and training a mustang is an experience unlike any other. Several of our mustangs were previously wild horses rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management. They are trained using natural horsemanship and positive reinforcement methods. Learning these training techniques can help humans create special relationships with horses and other animals. On occasion, Idyllwild Equine Experiences will have a mustang in training, and visitors can observe training sessions and interact with the wild horse if it is safe to do so.
Our Location
Idyllwild Equine Experiences is located in Mountain Center, California, about 15 minutes from the town of Idyllwild, and less than an hour from Temecula, Hemet, and Palm Desert
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