
What is Equine Assisted Learning?
Personal Development While Using ‘Horse Sense’
Equine Assisted Learning is an experiential approach to teaching life skills using horses. Here at Abbey Gardens we have two critically endangered Ojibwe Horses, Sammy and Maple, as well as a miniature appaloosa horse, Flapjack. Our EAL program offers a unique experience to get up close and personal with this special breed while learning life skills in a fun and interactive way. The Ojibwe Horse was formerly known as the Lac La Croix Pony, the name officially changed in 2019.
Why Horses?
Working with horses teaches lessons that we can apply to our lives and retain far longer than sitting in ‘just another classroom’. Participants are empowered as they work through group exercises with a focus on developing individual qualities while having fun.

Clear Communicaters
Horses communicate clearly, honestly and instantly, they cannot lie or over think a situation.
Keen Senses
They are a prey animal so their senses are very keen. They can hear our heart beat and they will react to the slightest changes within a team – allowing facilitators to find those “teachable moments”.
Teamwork Ethic
In a horse’s world, teamwork is respected and expected. Any conflicts are handled swiftly so that life in the herd maintains balance. Horses respect fair consequences.
Leadership roles
Herds are to horses as teams are to people. Horses look for strong leadership. Our participants learn to step up because if a horse doesn’t have a leader, they will become the leader.
Strong listeners
Horses communicate in the same way with people – that is why listening to what horses have to say (non-verbally) is powerful. Powerful enough to inspire change
naturally intuitive
Horses may be constantly assessing us, but they will never judge us. By their intuitive nature, horses can provide facilitators with a window into the participant’s personality.
self-discovery
By including horses in specially designed learning programs, participants are given the opportunity for self-discovery.
excellent teachers
The horse does the teaching; facilitators are there to offer explanation and provide guidance as they work through the solution.

unleash your potential
Abbey Gardens Pony Powered Learning Experience (APPLE) is founded on the Certified Building Block™ program, which is the first nationally recognized Equine Assisted Learning program. This Equine Assisted Learning program series was originally designed to facilitate the building of personal development skills, while ‘using horse sense’.
Working together with our Ojibwe Horses, participants will learn appropriate assertiveness, how to set boundaries, build strong communication skills and develop foundations for leadership. Unleash your potential with customized equine programming at Abbey Gardens.
Pick the APPLE program for you
Visit the Abbey Gardens program calendar for upcoming APPLE programs. Programs can be customized to suit your needs and learning objectives. Contact us to start customizing your experience.

About our APPLE facilitator…
Testimonials
“Some of the lessons I learned during Apple can be applied with staff and customers at work. Thank you for a great session!”
“Apple taught me to live in the moment and communicate clearly with my peers and coworkers. “
“We sent our two kids to the pony camp at Abbey Gardens and they both adored it. They came home every night filled with stories of the day’s activities and a strong desire to return the next day. The instructors were warm and informative, the activities were pitched at just the right level, and the ponies were sweet and approachable. Abbey Gardens is also the perfect setting for the camp: a beautiful place with all sorts of other great things to do. This was a real highlight of our summer – Malcolm Thorburn “
Contact Us To Learn More
Be sure to follow on Facebook for news and resources!


Find us at 1012 Garden Gate Drive, Haliburton,ON. 705.754.GROW (4769)
Leaders in Training (LIT) Program
