Equellness centre – kids is an equestrian after school program designed for 8-12 years olds to focus on their character building through the use of SEL, Horsemanship and Horseback riding (Equellness Centre, 2025).

“Equellness Kids is dedicated to empowering children in their comprehensive development—physical, emotional, and mental. We integrate nature-based experiences, positive psychology, and a structured curriculum, emphasizing essential social-emotional learning (SEL) skills”

(Equellness, 2025).

The goal is to help children improve on a multitude of skills such as self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.

Tying it back to classrooms, children who struggle with SEL in the classroom would benefit significantly through equestrian training (could take field trips, etc). By being close to horses and learning how to care for them would help students understand themselves and those around them, while fostering a growth mindset about their learning and development. SEL doesn’t just have to be taught in the classroom, they can also use the world around them.

Perhaps taking students on a field trip to a farm where they can learn and observe how they are taken care of would be a great way to incorporate learning empathy towards animals. Some students may be nervous around these animals and simply prefer to watch them from afar, and others may want to pet them or hang around them more. Both are equally just as beneficial because they are going out of their comfort zone and building their SEL at the same time.

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My own personal connections:

Growing up (before I was in school) I always loved going to our friend’s farm where they owned horses. I learned how to care for them, how to properly treat them, and apply that to other animals and people in my life. I believe this helped me prepare for school and even excel when I was in it.

As well, my aunt who lives in Edmonton is a child psychologist and uses her farm and horses to help students with their therapy journey. It was very interesting being able to take a tour of it and pet the horses!