We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common equine questions.

Penny Kittle has over 40 years working with horses professionally. She has worked as a trainer, 4-H leader and now is a certified equine specialist for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Assisted Learning and Team Building. Penny partners with mental health professionals, educators and business owners, providing horses and activities to meet their needs.

We provide horses for and facilitate Equine Assisted Therapy for mental health professional partners, Equine Assisted Learning and Team building for youth and adults.

• The Equine Specialist (ES) knows horse behavior and protects the physical safety of both clients and animals.
• The ES is certified in two equine assisted curriculums, Horse Inspired Growth and Healing (HIGH) and OK Corral (created by Greg Kersten the original founder of EGALA).

• Horses are social animals with unique personalities.
• Horses teach us how to evaluate and respond to the world around us. 
• Horses respond to emotional and mental well-being. 
• Horses respond to human emotions in a natural and honest way
• Horses’ honest responses to our actions and reactions encourage us to look more deeply into ourselves, into reality and into the “here and now”
• The feedback horses send in response to our behavior give us information about our behavior in a non-threatening way. 

• Equine Assisted work exemplifies how the natural behavior of horses and hers are optimal for mental and physical health. This modality has been found to be more efficient and less threatening than traditional talk therapy.
• Equine assisted approach to team building levels the playing field for staff, supervisors and executives to gain real perspective or strengths and deficiencies of individuals and the group as a whole, creating additional opportunities to gain knowledge to reach goals.

• Non-Riding Focus: EAP, EAL and TB activities allow participants to interact with horses on the ground (observing, leading, grooming, playing games) to build self- awareness and skills, not riding.
• Benefits: Effective for trauma, anxiety, depression, PTS, moral injury and relationship issues. Also effective in improving communication, leadership and teamwork.
• Cost:Cost varies by session, individual or group. We do not file insurance, we do accept cash or check. 
• I am afraid of horses can I still participate? There is great value in observation and communication. If you are not comfortable being in the same space as the horses, we can absolutely find a way for you to be a part of the activity.
• What should I wear? Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended for working with the horses. Dress in layers and be aware of the weather. We usually work outside so the temperature can vary from start to finish.

We try to find indoor arenas to work in, but programming is dependent on the weather. If a session is rescheduled or cancelled, we will contact you as soon as possible.