Steppingstone offers Equine Assisted programs that facilitate self-discovery and promote healing. Programs include beginner horseback riding lessons, Equine Assisted Counselling and life skills development. These program will be individualized to each youth participant in order to meet their specific goals and objectives.

Here at Steppingstone, we offer individual, group and or team building sessions. We work collaboratively with the youth's support network using a wraparound approach to create opportunities for the Youth to make use of the program most effectively.

Steppingstone offers individual Youth sessions that blend Equine Assisted Learning (ground-work obstacles) or horseback riding with life space counselling.

Working with horses has proven to decrease stress, regulate an individuals emotional state, increase empathy, learn how to responds to the emotions and needs of the horse, and restore equilibrium in an individuals life. Youth report that when they are engaged in an activity, it is easier to talk about topics they find difficult or distressing.

We approach all the youth that walk through our doors through a trauma-informed lens, and offer everyone a unique experience to learn horsemanship skills while improving their mental health, emotional state, and overall well-being.

"Life begins at the end

of your comfort zone"

Neale Donald Walsh

What is Equine Assisted Learning?

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is a learner based educational, experiential experience with horses. More specifically, EAL is an effective approach to human development that encourages individual and team growth. Youth will engage in individual goal-driven exercises and learn valuable life skills in a fun and natural atmosphere. Equine Assisted Learning has proven to be therapeutic, healing, educational, creative, powerful and positive.

TAKE PRIDE in how far you have come and HAVE FAITH in how far you can go.

-Jodi Olshina