Youth EAL Programs

2026 EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING

SPRING EAL YOUTH GROUP

AGES 8+
10 one hour sessions
Tuesdays @3:30pm
April 14th - June 16th
FUNDING AVAILABLE

REGISTER HERE

FALL EAL YOUTH GROUP

AGES 8+
12 one hour sessions
Mon & Thurs @ 3:30pm
September 14th - October 26th
FUNDING AVAILABLE

REGISTER HERE

Outline drawing of a woman and a horse with their heads touching, symbolizing connection and harmony.

Individual Skills Development

Our equine-assisted program is uniquely designed to create customized learning experiences that help participants develop key life skills. Through hands-on activities with horses, participants gain deeper insights into themselves, build stronger relationships, and learn the value of teamwork—all in a supportive and engaging environment.

By incorporating horses into carefully designed learning experiences, our equine-assisted team create powerful opportunities for self-discovery. Horses don’t overanalyze motives or manipulate behaviour—they simply respond honestly in the moment. Their natural intuition and sensitivity give facilitators valuable insight into a participant’s personality. By interpreting the horse’s nonverbal cues, facilitators help guide participants toward meaningful, life-changing growth.

Life Skills Development

We take a proactive approach, using innovative strategies to help today’s youth build confidence and resilience. Our goal is to empower them with the skills they need to navigate challenges and make positive choices. Working with horses—an unforgettable experience for many—provides a unique opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

This program strengthens essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and handling peer pressure. It also encourages participants to explore positive alternatives to negative behaviors and choices, helping them develop a strong foundation for success.

Bullying has become a major problem in schools across the country. EAL encourages positive change by specifically targeting self esteem and confidence in both the bully and the bullied.

EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING PROGRAMS ARE UNMOUNTED AND NO PREVIOUS HORSE EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY.

We're so excited to share this wonderful video with you! This gives you a great idea of what a day is like during our Youth EAL Programs.

Youth EAL
Frequently Asked Questions

No.
Equine Assisted Learning is not a riding program. All sessions are unmounted.
Many of the horses here have well served the riding industry and are now retired into the important role of teaching. In EAL, the learning happens on the ground through interaction, observation, communication, and partnership.
For those interested in riding in the future, participating in the EAL curriculum builds a strong foundation of respect, awareness, and understanding of how horses communicate.
No prior horse experience is needed.
Participants learn everything they need to know during the program. Safety, horse behaviour, and how to interact respectfully with horses are all part of the learning process.
The focus of Equine Assisted Learning is not riding skills, but building awareness, communication, and relationship skills through working with horses on the ground.
No.
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is not therapy. Therapy is delivered by regulated professionals and is a protected term.
While time with horses can certainly feel therapeutic, Little Oasis offers learning-based programming, not counselling or clinical treatment. The horses are the teachers, and the humans supporting the sessions are facilitators.
Our focus is on building social and relational skills through experiential learning with horses.
Often, yes.
Many families already have access to funding for their child based on their unique situation. This may be through a diagnosis, education supports, or other programs that support social development.
Little Oasis Equine Assisted Learning is a registered service provider with the Autism Funding Unit through the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Families using this program typically submit a Request to Pay form. If you need the template for this form, please contact us and we will provide it.
In some cases, the At Home Program for Extended Benefits has also been used to support participation. Some homeschooling programs may also have funding available for social development or individual learning goals.
Our after-school youth group program may also have access to community funding, and applications are available here.
If you are unsure whether funding may apply to your child, we are happy to help families explore possible options.
Everyone.
Children, teens, and adults all benefit from strengthening their ability to communicate, set boundaries, read social cues, and build healthy relationships.
Equine Assisted Learning offers a supportive environment where these skills can be practiced in real time through interaction with horses and peers.