About EQUAL’s children & youth programme
Horse-ibilites, EQUAL’s signature children and youth programme, is a structured and experiential animal-assisted programme designed to enhance social-emotional skills and mental well-being of students in a nature-based setting.
Each Horse-ibilities programme session includes check-ins with school personnel, 1-2 activites and interaction time with horses in the stable or arena, as well as briefing and de-briefing sessions with the students.
Our programme equips children and youths with life skills and tools to build their sense of trust and empathy, develop their self-awareness, regulate their moods and emotions and enhance their interpersonal skills—facilitating emotional growth, behavioural change, and learning.
Email us at youthprogramme@equal.org.sg to find out more.
Profile
Children and youths between 7 to 21 years old, including those with special needs, behavioural challenges, anxiety and mental health challenges.
Programme Objectives
- Develop social-emotional skills such as confidence, resilience, effective communication and managing impulsivity.
- Identify actionable insights for teachers and caseworkers to sustain socio-emotional and behavioural improvements in school or at home.
Programme Overview
- 4 or 8 sessions long
- 2 hours per session
- Group size of 10 – 20 students
- High instructor-to-student ratio
"My daughter has become much more responsible these days. She studies harder in school and takes responsibility for the work that is assigned to her. She also has become wiser in her use of time. She even puts in the time and effort to bond with, and be more helpful towards the family members."
"My son, Mattheus was born with the genetic disorder, NF1. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with hearing loss and fitted with hearing aid. These conditions have delayed his speech/language and cognitive development. He lacks self-confidence and can be quite timid at trying new things. Mattheus loves animals and was blessed with close contact with horses through the EQUAL programme. He looked forward to every session with enthusiasm. He enjoyed caring for the horses, playing games with them and riding them. He also enjoyed the interactive activities with the instructors and friends he made at the programme. The programme has helped Mattheus to be more confident and responsible. He has also learnt to be more accommodating towards others. He is now more bold in sharing his opinions with others too."
"Through this programme, we have seen how my son Danial overcame his challenges, especially balancing issues. He is now less fearful of riding and has learnt to work better in a team. It has also helped him gained more confidence. In end August, he took part in his school's talent contest and got into the finals. It was his 1st time playing the drums in public and he had no stage fright at all!”
"I have heard nothing but praise from fellow parents…All the coaches are professional and very experienced in managing special needs kids. They did a superb job in organising all the lessons from Habits of Mind, selecting very appropriate topics such as independent thinking, managing impulsiveness and active listening. The outdoor activities were a favourite, as the youths get to practice what they learnt by interacting with the horses, cultivating a sense of achievement and self-confidence.”
