We are an EFL (Equine Facilitated Learning) program. EFL is an emerging field in which horses and humans work together as guides and facilitators to help people enhance their life skills, improve emotional well being and increase self-awareness.
It is also known as Equine Assisted Learning, Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning, Equine Facilitated Therapy and Equine Assisted Growth and Learning.
EFL is a term covering a wide array of social and emotional learning activities centered around horse experiences. EFL facilitators may be educators, athletic trainers, medical or allied health trained individuals.  EFL facilitators may have background knowledge of horses and horse related activities. EFL may contribute to positive outcomes for a participant.
We serve people of all ages and from all stages of life-autism, anxiety, trauma, young and old, disabled, first responders and veterans-just to name a few.
Our program consists of ground level experiences with our equine partners with activities geared toward each individual. These individual sessions that can be as private as needed by each participant.

Stirrup Hope offers the experience of spending time with our horses from the ground, shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye. We focus on teaching our participants how to build a trusting, kind, empathetic relationship with themselves, the horses and others.

Through a variety of activities, we lead our participants through exercises that teach self-regulation, soft breathing, a sensitive touch, compassion and leadership. Stirrup Hope Equine-Facilitated Learning promotes learning, growing, and embracing the heart of human and horse one at a time. 

 

Stirrup Hope is located at 2151 Woodville Road at Trinity Oaks Farm in Florence, SC.

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Our program is based on the studies conducted by The Heart Math Institute Research Center, the practice of “Holding Space” by Adam Brady, and the philosophy and training by Mark Rashad.