The art is in the connection, the questions, and process of the process. - Lora Newman
Using horses to help humans is not a historically widely utilized or accepted modality in the psychological or personal / professional development world. It is one that has been developed and is still being developed. Research is continuing to prove this modality effective. Neuroscience research is helping us out in revealing how humans can heal and grow in unconventional ways.
Equine Assisted / Facilitated Practitioners know this and still find a disconnect in practice. Mental Health Professionals and coaches go to school – learn theory and application of theory. The art is in the connection, questions, and process of the process. The learning is taught sitting in a room with someone – NOT out interacting somewhere. Don’t misunderstand here, there is efficacy in sitting in a room with someone talking.
Why not make it more powerful? Those practicing with horses are housing the unconventional atomic bomb of growth. The connection to application just needs to be made.
As coaches, mental health professionals, or consultants – you are already good at your craft. You know your process – now it’s time to shake it up a bit…ok, a lot. The questions become, “where do I insert the horses? How do I insert the horses more?”
I have been practicing for over 19 years and have under processed, over processed, and hit it just right with clients. When I added horses to my practice, I was able to get out of my own way (and the client’s) to add a powerful breakthrough, anchoring, or learning.
The place to insert the horses is the answer to the following questions:
- Where is a breakthrough needed?
- Where is it prime to anchor a learning?
- Where is the sticking point?
- Where do you need to step out of their picture…and stay out?
- Where do they need to move? (because moving stimulates us differently)
It is common to believe there is a perfect point to add horses into a program or process. Yes, you will better recognize where to insert horses as you go along in your practice, but in the meantime, be vigilant of the questions above – put the horses in play throughout your program and process prn (as needed).
We lead a two-day intensive called, The 48 HR Breakthrough™. There are standard places where the horses are inserted AND sometimes the horses have to do the heavy lifting (no pun intended). We flow with the needs of the group knowing in the back of our minds that the horses are available anytime the group gets stuck in the process.
And finally, to stretch your thinking - What if we flipped this around – just to stretch your thinking about this and had you formulate your program or offer with horse sessions with a little talking interaction in between horse sessions? What happens to your program process then? How would your outline change? Stretch into this thinking, be willing to dissect and look at this from a more powerful angle.
Make the connection with the horses in your practice. When you think about the process of a program or offer you have in place – open it up and look in to see where you can or need to insert horses. If you are worried about availability and logistics of having the horses available– that is a problem you can solve….really. Perhaps a session with the horses will help you step into a little breakthrough in creating solutions. It is merely making the connection that transforms your world and in turn, others.
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Lora Newman, M.S., LPC, is a Mastery Certified Coach, the Founder of HorseBusinessWhisperer.org and the Founder/CEO of Zero2Sixty Performance Coaching, llc, a national company currently serving clients in 22 states and three countries. She has gained notoriety as the Founder of The 48 HR Breakthrough™ 2-day intensive where business leaders learn to replace obstacles and problems with creative, strategic thinking so they can increase business revenue, lead teams with ease, and enjoy more freedom.
Lora has been helping Leaders bust through the barriers holding them back in business and in life for more than 18 years. Lora is based in Southwest Missouri, with business offices in Springfield, and two nearby farms where she hosts Corporate Workshops and Equine Assisted Coaching Events.
She received her A.S. in Veterinary Technology from NSU, Natchitoches, LA and ran a veterinary hospital for over four years. She spent much time working with large animals including horses from the race track. Learning from top horsemen such as Pat Parelli, Buck Brannaman, Chris Cox and others, gave her insights into what horses have to teach us, mostly about ourselves.
She received her B.S. in Psychology from Drury University and an M.S. in Counseling from SMSU (now MSU.) She is a graduate of Coach U Coaching School, and is a member of the International Association of Women in Business Coaching. Lora holds duel certifications in EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) as a Certified Professional and a Certified Corporate Professional.
Lora is a public speaker and the author of 90 Days On The Path to Success: Building Health, Wealth & Abundance. She is currently writing her second book. Lora is a U.S. Army Veteran, and SW Missouri native. Lora volunteers her counseling services to the BCFO (Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks) and supports numerous horse welfare organizations.