Thanks to Nat for sharing this latest news from Ryde Academy. Ed
Groups of Ryde Academy students have been visiting Bodster CIC.
Bodster CIC is an Equine Assisted Learning Centre run by Jo and Giles Boddington. At the centre adults and children can develop a whole range of skills by improving self-esteem, fostering team building and improving emotional intelligence.
What is Bodster?
Bodster equine assisted learning CIC. is in existence to offer a unique service to people living in the community, particularly those people who are disadvantaged through their specific circumstances, illness or disabilities or who require specialist support.
Many people with low self-esteem find it hard in conventional learning indoor environments and so they offer a unique way of helping people regain belief in themselves and develop new possibilities for their lives.
Why horses? Because horses are non-judgemental and have no preconceived assumptions that might limit the learning process. They have a very successful, non-verbal communication system based on body language and energy.
Perfect space for problem solving
Learners spend time observing this interaction and learn how by taking their time and problem solving by breaking tasks into small steps they can be successful both with horses and in their own lives.
Joy Ballard, Principal at Ryde Academy, joined some of her students on one of their visits and was impressed with the work she saw. She said
“I watched our students transform from nervous young people with little confidence to confident, determined ‘masters’ of the horses.
“These experiences can be life changing in terms of building confidence and improving the social skills of children.”
What the students can learn
During sessions the students learn about working safely around horses, learn about the horses, grooming, and work together to complete a team task of leading a horse round an obstacle course.
The programmes are individualised to each group of students’ specific needs. Activities involve development of fine and gross motor skills and particularly observation and listening skills.
Life lessons
Sometimes students learn how to be with a pony loose in the round pen and behave in a way that the pony will choose to walk with them loose. The interactions with the ponies/horses take place at each individual student’s pace and the opportunity for them to lead and develop ideas/activities is encouraged.
They soon discover that by taking time to “be” with the ponies they can have a pony choose to interact with them as a result of their behaviour rather than try to force it do so. This can then be related to how the students behave and interact with each other back at school.
More about Bodster
Bodster who were based in Ryde have now moved to new premises in Sandford at Sandford Farm, Gore Lane, Shanklin Road, Sandford PO38 3EX where the new site will open up more opportunities and a wider variety of potential interactions with the ponies .
Find out more about Bodster by visiting their Website.
