Our HHH Equine-Assisted Sessions have been tailor-made to address specific areas of trauma (particularly PTSD) all too often experienced by our Active Duty Service Members, Veterans, First Responders, and their families. PTSD impacts every aspect of life, and left untreated can lead to much worse. . . SUICIDE . . . DIVORCE . . . HOMELESSNESS. . . INCARCERATION. . .
HHH, as a 501(c)3 Non-profit Charitable Organization, provides Equine-Assisted Programs to our Heroes and their families (free-of-charge). Our services help ensure that they too can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities in life they have fought and sacrificed so much to preserve for all of us.
HHH answers the call not only of our Warriors, but those whom they love: The trickle-down effects of PTSD on the family are staggering. Sadly, DIVORCE rates of our Heroes are skyrocketing, rising numbers of HOMELESSNESS are growing, and WELL OVER 25 SUICIDES A DAY are currently documented causes of death of our heroic Warriors.
HHH Programs include individual and/or group sessions guided by our HHH Certified Session Leader and Horse Handlers (along with outside Certified Counselors if requested). Our before-and-after conversations in the HHH Clubhouse are essential for the participants to fully digest the personal and group growth experienced with the horses so those "lessons learned" can then be taken back to their families, friends and work relationships.
Equine-Assisted Sessions
Snippets of an HHH Session
Horse Grooming and Haltering
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Overall safety rules will be reviewed with our HHH Handlers as they explain the reasoning and purpose behind our Curriculum methods.
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You’ll become familiar with each horse while getting to know their unique personalities as you learn to groom them, wash, pick hooves, and manage your four-legged partners.
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Then we’ll review various expressions the horses use to flag their feelings.
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As you begin to recognize your horse’s cues they telegraph to you about how they’re feeling that day, you’ll be learning to recognize and moderate your own personal behaviors that the horses (and people) may be responding to.
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These behaviors may include tensions or concerns on your part. As you relax, the horses will too.
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We ALL have an intrinsic and heart-centered need to feel safe, respected, loved and cared for … And when that is shared with the horses, it’s extremely validating!
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Working Horses in the Round Pen
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Staying present at all times in the Pen is critical - especially when the horses are “at liberty.”
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Don’t forget that horses are likely to be at least 10x your weight and power, so you must be vigilant!
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Establish a baseline of trust and sensitive authority with your horse by navigating them through some lead-line exercises - And by doing so, your multi-tasking abilities will be strengthened and re-focused.
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Learn when, where and how to successfully use your body-language-pressure, following verbal commands, along with directional support for the horse to achieve the desired movements
and reactions you have asked for.-
FYI: I like “asking” first which allows the horse to respond out of their own desire, not aggression or fear.
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Creating a bond with the horse (who is naturally a “flight animal”) is extremely satisfying and surprisingly user-friendly for all other kinds of relationships!
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May I explain “flight animals”: When you meet the horse, they must assess whether you are “friend or foe” - Are you going to “love on them” and partner with the - or are you going to have them for dinner like a cougar out in the wild?
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More in-depth exercises will better show you how to read the horse’s body language and attitudes, as well as establish your leadership position with your horse by way of kind, definitive directions.
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“Partnering” with the horses throughout the various exercises is the key for both of you!
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'FOOD FOR THOUGHT - WITHOUT THE CALORIES'
- FROM OUR FOUNDER, JEN
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There is an old Native American custom in regard to the their male children coming of age: The boys were put in the middle of a cleared area in the woods to “show their bravery” by spending the night all alone while surviving the natural elements and the prowl of wild animals.
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The legend goes that the boys would become so scared, they would eventually fall asleep out of exhaustion, never being aware that their fathers were lurking in the shadows of the boys’ circle of vulnerability with a bow and arrow pulled tight, ready to defend and protect their sons at all cost.
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ISN’T THAT A PERFECT PICTURE OF HOW OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN LOVES EACH OF US? … HIS EVER-PRESENT HEDGE OF PROTECTION AND HOPE SURROUND ALL WHO ARE HIS THROUGH FAITH IN HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
TRUST
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Learning how to initiate trust between you and your horse can also aid in the restoration of trust and healing with other people, as well as the releasing of various experiences that may have been damaging to you in your past.
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UN-forgiveness only hurts YOU, not your offender.
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Forgiveness, however, does NOT mean you have to have any further exchange with your offender(s) whatsoever!
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Approach, honesty, availability, vulnerability and patience practiced with the horses are invaluable lessons that support overall personal victories for a better and more meaningful life ... GRACE, PEACE and LOVE comes to my mind.
BOUNDARIES
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Sadly, you may have experienced prior relationships as controlling, abusive, or heartbreaking (as so many of us have). Help in healing those hurts and side-stepping potential future unhealthy allegiances requires honest, heartfelt transparency from now on.
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What we don’t acknowledge, we can’t fix ... Also, if I may say, WHEN AN APOLOGY COMES WITH AN EXCUSE - IT’S NOT REALLY AN APOLOGY … Yes, there are two sides of every road, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t our job to stay in our lane … Starting with your horse, healthy boundaries create lasting, meaningful, and loving relationships with everyone - 4 or 2-legged!
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Remember what is warned during airplane travel: “If, in the case of an emergency, one needs to use oxygen, place the oxygen mask over your face first before helping anyone else in need.”
LEADERSHIP
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A positive partnership with a horse is often the first step toward refining social skills that are complimentary to becoming a compassionate leader and supporter of others - especially at home, with friends and with co-workers ... Expand your territories and purposes!
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Find encouraging and supportive vocal levels - dialogue - self-talk, and share your confidence with positive body language! When you humbly speak WORDS of knowledge, and hard-earned wisdom over yourself and others, (more and more frequently) you will “speak into being” your renewed health and release to freedom!
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Remember, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you” - is a lie from the pit of hell! … EYES UP!
. . . And so much more!!!
Qualifications for Equine-Assisted Sessions
Former knowledge of horses is NOT required to benefit from our HHH Programs. Ours is not a “Riding Program,” but rather, it's all about working with the horses from the ground. The only necessary requirements to participate in our Equine-Assisted Sessions are to arrive with the correct wardrobe (pants, hard shoes or boots and appropriate hats and outerwear), and to have the physical ability to safely move around the pen while working with the horses “at liberty” (with no restraints). We expect all participants to be clear-minded and attentive - not only to gain the most out of their experiences, but also to ensure the safety of all participants and HHH Team Members in the pen. One last request is that our participants embrace a true desire to improve and conquer personal issues that represent a struggle for them . . .With Equine-Assisted Therapy (as with most valuable opportunities in life) one will "get back" as much as they are willing to "put in".
ENJOY THE INDESCRIBABLE RELAXATION THAT EVOLVES NATURALLY
BY SPENDING TIME WITH HORSES!
Before our sessions begin, we will spend some time over coffee and snacks to settle-in and review what each individual hopes to achieve by participating in the various HHH Programs (including music and art). We'll review our HHH Curriculum provided to every participant , and discuss what one can expect from their unique time with the horses. After our sessions, we'll review how their equine experiences can positively affect and improve their lives!
A note of encouragement: Our goal with the horses is to generate healthy relationships, trust, communication, focus, AND HOPE. Becoming “ONE” with the horse is obtained through mutual respect and compassionate, trustworthy leadership which will ultimately improve one’s “personal coping skills” as well as “advancing their people skills.” A happy, healthy, fruitful future is waiting for all . . .
One hoof-beat at a time!
FYI: WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF OUR "FOR-PROFIT" EQUINE-ASSISTED SESSIONS FOR
ANYONE WHO MAY BE WRESTLING WITH MOUNTING ISSUES OF GRIEF, LOSS, ABUSE, ISOLATION,
DEPRESSIONS AND THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE.
(WITH 100% OF THE INCOME GOING DIRECTLY INTO OUR "NON-PROFIT" 501(c)3 EFFORTS)
"God was in a good mood when he created horses! Shared trust and communication with a horse is
an experience unlike any other. . . A friendship between a person and a powerful steed that has
moods of its own, explosive strength, and a mind to yield or not - is life-changing. Mutual rhythm,
focus and respect make-up the partnership, and if one shares such a union, they can’t help but
want more. "
Jennifer O'Neill
Founder and President of Hope & Healing at Hillenglade
Please visit www.nashvillecountrysidegetaways.com for more details.
