Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) offers a hands-on experiential approach to personal growth, development, and education, guided by our certified instructors and gentle, experienced equine partners. This ground-based programming does not involve riding, and experience and confidence around horses s not required!

EAL helps to boost confidence, nurture self-esteem, improve focus, and reduce stress and anxiety. Through the special connection between humans and horses, we empower young individuals to become more self-aware, confident, and resilient.

Our range of unique EAL options blend social and emotional skills with life skills lessons that meet educational and therapeutic goals, including:

• Mindfulness with Horses incorporating self-regulation and breathing techniques, coping skills, and goal-setting support.

• Horsemanship Skills Learning Levels including horse handling, equine science, and basic horse care.

• Life Skills & Job Skills to promote independence and healthy transitions into adulthood.

• Horse Powered Reading® literacy intervention for struggling and emerging K-12 readers.

• (coming soon) Equine-Assisted Learning for Foster Youth

Our experienced team includes PATH Intl. certified and Horse Powered Reading® facilitators, mindfulness coaches, Instructors-in-training, and volunteer assistants. Haku Baldwin Center meets and exceeds industry standards for safety, ethics, and continuing education.

The minimum age to participate is four years old. Each child must also be able to safely interact with horses on the ground.

A formal diagnosis is not required to participate EAL. However, our team specializes in supporting participants with various physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional challenges including: Depression, Anxiety, Low self-esteem, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Behavioral problems, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Autism, Tourette’s syndrome, Developmental Delays, and Learning and Speech Disorders.

Scheduling and Cost:
Private lessons are available as well as small and large groups. Please review the fee information below and contact us to inquire about discounts for groups of 10 or more, or to apply for a scholarship. One-time and multi-week sessions are available based on the program of choice.

We accept referrals from physicians, PT/OT/SLPs, mental health professionals, though HBC does not accept insurance.

A horse, being a dynamic living being, lends itself perfectly to a multi-sensory approach. Brushing, observing, working with, and learning about horses all contain therapeutic virtues. Touch, feel, smell, and movement are essential for learning and growing.

Our gentle program horses provide great motivation and an opportunity to develop the human-animal bond. They are master communicators and incredible teachers. Most of all, horses make EAL lessons a fun and engaging outdoor activity! We treat our facility like a growing, living outdoor classroom filled with opportunity.

Our horses are carefully chosen and must pass a series of tests before being accepted into the program. They all live on our property, enjoying 33+ acres of pastureland right in beautiful Makawao, where they live in herds and are allowed to ‘just be horses’.

MEET OUR HERD OF HORSES