Research based Horse Powered Reading & Numeracy for kids available in Romania

Unlocking Transformative Learning with Horse Powered Reading®

Horse Powered Reading® is an innovative approach that integrates social-emotional learning with academic development, using Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) based on the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association’s (EAGALA) model. This unique methodology allows students to engage with reading through their mind, body, and emotions, creating powerful metaphors that embody the skills required for effective literacy.

A New Dimension to Reading

Traditional reading instruction often overlooks the emotional and psychological barriers that many students face. Social-emotional challenges such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression can hinder academic progress, leaving students disengaged and overwhelmed. Horse Powered Reading® breaks through these obstacles by providing an experiential learning environment where the act of reading becomes a dynamic, holistic process. By addressing both academic and emotional needs simultaneously, this method creates a space where learning is reimagined and personalized.

The Innovative “Reading River” Experience

Each Horse Powered Reading® session is tailored to the individual. One engaging example of this approach is the “Reading River,” an obstacle course designed to mirror the challenges of reading. In this activity, students, alongside their equine reading buddies, navigate a course that represents the obstacles they face when processing text. When a student encounters a barrier, they are prompted to pause and reassess their strategy. This might involve re-reading a paragraph for clarity, seeking assistance, or using supportive tools such as a dictionary.

Facilitators play a crucial role in this process by asking reflective questions like, “What just happened?” or “How might that look when you are reading?” This immediate feedback encourages students to analyze their reading process, develop “fix-up” strategies, and ultimately, build greater resilience and understanding.

Empowering Students through Experiential Learning

Horse Powered Reading® leverages the principles of experiential learning. Instead of passively absorbing information, students actively experiment and discover new ways to overcome their reading challenges. This process not only reinforces key literacy skills but also nurtures self-efficacy and persistence. The horses themselves contribute to this transformative experience, teaching important lessons in motivation and confidence that extend well beyond the classroom.

Measuring Success and Impact

The effectiveness of Horse Powered Reading® is supported by research and measurable outcomes. A combination of reading assessments—including informal reading inventories, word list evaluations, and graded paragraph assessments—helps track progress over time. In addition, tools that gauge reading attitudes and self-perception, such as the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey and the Motivations for Reading Questionnaire, provide insights into the students’ evolving relationship with reading.

Furthermore, feedback from parents and teachers, gathered through interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups, reinforces the positive impact of this approach. These collective measures underscore how enhanced social-emotional skills can have a lasting effect on academic achievement, paving the way for exponential growth in learning.