Learning Mindfulness with Horses from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Becoming mindful

Using mindfulness in day-to-day practice

Becoming mindful
Using mindfulness in day-to-day practice

Syllabus

Introduction

Hello and welcome! I am excited to introduce myself and get you started on this new journey. I am Aleka, I'm the founder and owner of Big Heart Equestrian. We developed a self help program to assist people in managing their mental health all while working alongside horses. We have helped people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress and learning to be confident. Being mindful is so important to learning how to see the external world as opposed to be trapped inside your internal world i.e your brain.

Mindfulness can be defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. Our goal is to equip you with the right information and techniques to be able to practice mindfulness everyday and we're hoping you can accomplish this by working alongside horses.

This course is ideal for animal lovers who are looking to improve their self awareness and mental well-being. Outside of this course, we have Facebook groups to communicate through and meet other animal lovers. If you're interested in connecting on another platform, feel free to join our private group titled "Big Heart Equestrian Students" and post an introduction; we would love to have you!

What exactly is mindfulness?

It has been defined as maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we're sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. So you’re probably wondering how this can help with managing your mental health.

Being in the moment, brings you down from being lost in your thoughts. We often find ourselves lost in our own minds when we’re experiencing anxiety attacks or depressive episodes. We tend to get caught up in the past or in the idea of what could happen in the future and lose sight of what is in front of us. Being mindful grounds us, it allows for us to be present and to think with a clear mind.

A way to ground yourself and be mindful of the moment is the 5 senses grounding exercise.

5 Senses Grounding Exercise

For use anytime you are feeling ‘disconnected’ from your physical self or when you are on autopilot for too long.

Look around your environment and Identify the following one at a time:

5 things you can see

4 things you can feel

3 things you can hear

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

In this lecture we will go into the two worlds we live in in our day-today life. When looking at everything, it is clear what is in our compass of control and what we have to accept.

Your external world can consist of things like your relationships with people, the bills you have to pay and even the animals in your life. They are all aspects of your life that are important and meaningful but are not internal; they do not live inside your mind.

Your internal world is everything that goes on behind the scenes in your life. Your thoughts, feelings, worries, your views and so on. These are, realistically, the only things that you can control. Every other aspect of your life is out of your hands and although these things tend to stress us out, we need to be able to be present and in the moment - to see things for what they are and be able to move forward from that point on.

Horses by nature live their lives in the present moment; they are never worrying about the future or focusing on the past. They allow themselves to live freely without any mental prisons. Horses are linear creatures; they live their lives on a steady line. They allow their emotions to come in and out just like a wave and carry on with their day. When a horse is afraid of something, they will snort and run but once they are far enough from the fear inducing object, they settle back down and return to their linear state.

I'm sure you're wondering how this relates to us being mindful in our day-to-day lives and it's quite simple how it relates. When we are mindful of our feelings and emotions we are allowing ourselves to live in the moment; we then become linear and can enjoy life a little more. Learning to be linear and mindful like the horses are allows for us to manage our mental health and that internal life that we spend so much time in.

It is so important to be mindful when around horses because something as simple as a fly biting their leg could turn into a disaster. If you are not present and in the moment, you can be missing so much from the silent conversation you and the horse are having. If you are focusing on something else like work, you are not in the moment and are missing things like the snap on the leadrope wiggling loose. This results in the horse getting loose and potentially getting into some mischief. Because you would not be aware of any of this, you could easily be on a hunt for your horse for hours on end, trying to coax them back to you with treats and promises of no arena work!

I made mention of the silent conversation you and the horse have during an interaction, this can be obstructed by any form of worry, anxiety, or stress. When we focus on something other than the moment we are in, we lose that contact. We no longer have the connection and we are simply two beings in the same area as opposed to two creatures who are bonding over the moment. In the activity for this section, be sure to be in the moment while grooming. Let your emotions come and go and the horse will too, you will become two creatures bonding over the grooming moment; something horses do in the wild.

Everyday we experience many different feelings and have thousands of thoughts. In order for us to remain grounded, we have to be aware of how we are feeling and how to manage these feelings. A scale from 1 to 10 is how a lot of things can be rated; movies, restaurants, experiences etc. We can also rate our emotions from 1 to 10. The lower the number, the more calm you are feeling. The higher the number, the more intense your emotions are.

Being able to judge and rate your emotions is an incredible way to stay grounded and mindful of your situation. When you can feel yourself reaching about a 5 - 7 in that scale, practicing mindfulness is a great way to keep your cool before the emotions intensify and reach an all time high.

We go into this rating scale more in depth in our Overcoming Anxiety with Horses course.

We can measure a horses' emotions and behaviours on a scale as well. When working with the horses, you'll soon realize that what you're feeling and thinking will be mirrored back to you by the horse. Our mare Rina tends to stay between a 2 and a 6 most days. She is a very calm horse with very few things phasing her. When she does reach a higher rating, I can almost always guarantee it is because of my emotions. Taking a moment to be mindful and bringing myself back down from my thoughts can make a world of difference in the day we will have together.

Being mindful in your day-to-day life is a great way to make sure you are present and aware of what is going on in the world around you. How often do you wish summer wouldn't go by so quickly? How often do you blink and suddenly it's Wednesday and nothing has been accomplished? Practicing mindfulness in your everyday life helps to keep you aware and focused. This not only allows you to enjoy the little things in life like moments where you witness moments of horses grooming one another, but you also get the most out of your life.

There are so many ways to be mindful with horses. Like a mindful walk; taking your horse for either a ride or even walking next to them and taking in everything within that moment. Emptying your mind of all your worries and focusing on what is right in front of you.

You could groom your horse and remain in the moment; being mindful of the little things. The tiny hairs, some may be white and others brown. You may notice small bug bites or a knot in their mane. You do not have to associate any meaning to these things, just take note of them and then let them go. Being present and awake.

It is known that horses help with our mental help; just their presence is therapeutic and being mindful with them is an incredible way to be at peace. Although horses are a great way to be mindful and completely at peace, they aren't always able to be with us. Unless you're lucky enough to have horses around you all day every day, there will be times you'll need to be mindful on your own.

Ways to be mindful without horses include:

Mindfully eating

Eating is something we just do. We don't ever really think about it much; we just feel hungry so we eat. Next time you eat something, really take into consideration what it is. If you're eating a grape feel the texture before you put the grape in your mouth. Really take note of the colouring and then chew it slowly. Being aware and mindful of everything is a great way to practice. Try doing this with chocolate or a treat you really enjoy. It will make it even better!

Brushing your teeth

We tend to rush through our daily routines without thinking much about it. A great way to be mindful twice a day is by brushing your teeth. Truly tuning in to what you're doing and not worrying about everything else in your life is a great way to start and end your day. Be aware of how much toothpaste you're using and how hard you're brushing. Do you do circular motions? How do your gums feel? How do you prefer the water? Hot? Cold? Going through the steps one by one and being present not only benefits your oral hygiene, but will help you manage your thoughts and emotions in the long run.

This quiz goes over everything we have spoken about in the course this far.

This is the 8th and final lecture of the course. We will be going over every topic in this lecture and ways for you to move forward on your journey now that you have completed the course. I hope you enjoyed this course as much as I enjoyed making it.

Career center

Learners who complete Learning Mindfulness with Horses will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator

An Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator guides individuals using horses to achieve personal growth and learning. This course, "Learning Mindfulness with Horses," directly prepares you by teaching methods of being present and understanding horse behavior to help participants develop self-awareness and emotional regulation. It explicitly describes helping with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and stress. The emphasis on mindful observation and becoming linear aligns perfectly with the foundational skills needed to lead effective equine experiences, fostering confidence and a deeper connection both with oneself and with animals.

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Therapeutic Riding Instructor

As a Therapeutic Riding Instructor, you guide participants, often with special needs, in riding horses to achieve physical, emotional, and cognitive goals. The course, "Learning Mindfulness with Horses," is extraordinarily relevant, teaching the critical importance of being present and mindful when around horses for safety and effective bonding. Understanding how horses mirror emotions and the concept of "being linear" (like horses) directly enhances an instructor's ability to create a sensitive and effective therapeutic environment, fostering confidence and well-being in riders.

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Mindfulness Coach

A Mindfulness Coach guides individuals in developing present-moment awareness and self-compassion. This course, "Learning Mindfulness with Horses," provides a unique foundation for this role, emphasizing core mindfulness principles like identifying external versus internal worlds and emotional regulation. While the course uses horses as a primary tool, the techniques learned, such as the 5 Senses Grounding Exercise and applying a 1-10 emotion scale, are directly transferable to coaching clients without horses, helping them manage stress, anxiety, and improve overall mental well-being in their daily lives.

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Equine Specialist for Youth Development

This role involves using interactions with horses to help young people develop life skills, build self-esteem, and improve emotional regulation. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course is exceptionally well-suited, as it teaches explicit strategies for managing mental health, anxiety, and building confidence through equine interaction. The course's focus on mindfulness, being present with horses, and understanding how they mirror emotions directly translates into the ability to design impactful activities that teach youth these vital skills, fostering better mental well-being and a stronger sense of self.

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Animal Assisted Activities Specialist

This role involves designing and implementing programs where animals, including horses, engage with individuals to promote positive emotional, social, and cognitive outcomes. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course cultivates deep self-awareness and the ability to be present, crucial for both handler and participant safety and connection. The course's teachings on how horses live in the present moment and mirror human emotions directly inform how an Animal Assisted Activities Specialist might facilitate interactions, helping participants manage stress, anxiety, and build confidence through mindful engagement with animals.

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Stress Management Consultant

A Stress Management Consultant helps individuals and organizations identify, understand, and reduce stressors through various techniques and strategies. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course is exceptionally relevant, focusing explicitly on using mindfulness to manage stress, anxiety, and improve self-awareness. The practical skills acquired, such as the 5 Senses Grounding Exercise and learning to be "linear" like horses to process emotions, equip one to guide clients in applying these powerful techniques for immediate and long-term stress reduction in their daily and professional lives.

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Recreational Therapist

A Recreational Therapist uses recreation and leisure activities to help individuals with illnesses or disabling conditions improve their health and well-being. This career typically requires an advanced degree. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course curriculum directly informs this practice by teaching how interaction with horses can foster mindfulness, emotional regulation, and stress reduction. The principles of being present and understanding emotional states, both one's own and the horse's, are highly applicable to designing therapeutic interventions that enhance confidence and help individuals manage mental health challenges.

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Holistic Health Practitioner

A Holistic Health Practitioner addresses a person's overall well-being, integrating various complementary approaches to health. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course provides a unique and powerful dimension to this practice, particularly in its emphasis on the mind-body connection and emotional regulation. The ability to use mindfulness techniques, learned both with and without horses (like mindful eating and the 5 Senses Grounding Exercise), equips a practitioner to guide clients toward greater self-awareness, stress reduction, and mental well-being as part of a comprehensive, holistic health plan.

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Wellness Program Coordinator

A Wellness Program Coordinator designs, implements, and manages initiatives aimed at improving the holistic well-being of individuals within an organization or community. This course, "Learning Mindfulness with Horses," offers a distinct perspective on integrating mindfulness for mental health management, which can be invaluable when developing innovative wellness programs. The principles of managing stress, anxiety, and fostering self-awareness, developed through mindful interaction with horses and transferable "day-to-day" practices (like mindful eating), provide a solid foundation for creating impactful and unique wellness offerings.

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Mental Health Support Specialist

A Mental Health Support Specialist provides practical and emotional support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges, often guiding them in developing coping mechanisms. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course empowers learners with direct strategies for managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress, emphasizing becoming mindful and present. The techniques, such as the 5 Senses Grounding Exercise and the ability to rate and manage emotions, are highly applicable for teaching clients self-regulation and fostering a greater sense of confidence and control over their internal world.

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Life Coach

A Life Coach partners with clients to achieve personal and professional goals, often focusing on self-improvement, motivation, and overcoming obstacles. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course, by fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation, provides a robust foundation for this role. Learning to recognize and manage internal thoughts and feelings, and practicing grounding techniques, are core skills that a Life Coach can leverage to help clients navigate challenges, improve mental well-being, and enhance their ability to be present and focused in their day-to-day endeavors.

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Outdoor Experiential Educator

An Outdoor Experiential Educator facilitates learning and personal development through direct experience in outdoor settings. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course, with its emphasis on connecting with animals and nature to achieve mindfulness, offers valuable insights for this career. The course’s teachings on being present, observing the external world, and appreciating natural interactions (like horses grooming each other) directly inform how one can design immersive, nature-based programs that foster self-awareness, emotional well-being, and a deeper connection to the environment for participants.

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Grief Counselor

A Grief Counselor supports individuals navigating loss, helping them process emotions and develop coping strategies. This career typically requires an advanced degree. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course, by teaching emotional regulation, present-moment awareness, and the acceptance of feelings as transient (like a wave), provides a foundational understanding that can be profoundly helpful in guiding those in mourning. The ability to ground oneself and observe thoughts without getting trapped in them aligns with techniques used to help clients navigate intense grief, fostering a path towards acceptance and healing.

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Nature Immersion Guide

A Nature Immersion Guide leads individuals or groups in experiences designed to foster a deeper connection with the natural world and promote well-being. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course, with its core emphasis on present-moment awareness and connecting with the external world (including animals), provides highly relevant skills. The ability to facilitate mindful observation, encourage participants to let emotions come and go, and appreciate the therapeutic presence of animals and nature aligns perfectly with guiding others to de-stress, enhance self-awareness, and find peace in natural settings.

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Animal Behaviorist

An Animal Behaviorist studies animal actions and responses, often to understand and modify behavior. This career typically requires an advanced degree. The "Learning Mindfulness with Horses" course, with its detailed exploration of how horses think, behave, and their natural state of being present, provides foundational insight that may be particularly helpful. The practice of mindful observation and understanding silent communication, as taught in the course, is directly applicable to interpreting animal cues and fostering better human-animal interactions, which is crucial for effectively assessing and improving animal well-being and behavior.

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