Carrie Brady Equine Experiential Education Association
The Power of the E3A Herd
A few weeks ago I moved my home and farm in Connecticut 90 minutes away to the Berkshire foothills in New York, which has caused me to think more about the importance of having a strong human herd to support your work with horses. E3A has been instrumental as a human herd supporting me and my equine partners from the very beginning. I went through certification as I was building my farm and one of the colleagues I met in my class actually came to my farm one week after my horses arrived. I had never had horses living at home with me and she had been doing it for years. Her assistance in setting up practical and effective home barn routines, as well as her continued support and guidance, has been invaluable. Over the years I have partnered with multiple E3A colleagues co-facilitating in other facilities. I thoroughly enjoy working with others and learning from them, as well as learning from their equine partners. I always come home inspired and invigorated. The E3A herd is actually directly responsible for my move. I was introduced to the area by E3A colleagues who became friends. We now co-facilitate together and live in the same small community.
If you haven’t tapped into the experience of the E3A herd, I encourage you to do so. Participate in our monthly member networking calls, get involved in the regional ambassador program, start a discussion in our member Facebook groups, or simply reach out to another member that is doing interesting things. This is a marvelous herd of humans, working with fabulous horse teachers, who are committed to this work and to each other. The E3A herd is here for you and can support you every step of the way.
E3A also connects members with other organizations who may benefit from our work. Our certified members will have a unique opportunity to interact with those impacted by September 11, 2001 as part of the 20th anniversary events being held by the organization Voices Center for Resilience (https://voicescenter.org/). Voices will be hosting a webinar series discussing resilience and one of the sessions will focus on equine-facilitated learning. I and another E3A member will be participating on that panel, along with others, and Voices intends to distribute a global list of facilities that are willing to offer one or more free workshops for those impacted by the terrorist attacks. More information will be provided to certified members directly as this initiative evolves, but if you are interested in offering such a workshop, please contact me at possibilitiesfarm@gmail.com.
Thank you for being part of the E3A herd!
