Dr. Brenda E. Abbey

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I have written a research article which supports the benefits of Equine-Assisted experiential learning sessions for children.
Recently, I had the  unique opportunity to visit the Greater Edmonton area and participate as a guest in The Arabian Horse Literacy Reading Project.
I was able to take this special picture  which captures a special bonding moment and  shows the real interactions that were taking place.

The experience was magical as I  participated in the learning activities and interacted with  the Elementary students, the horses and the DONKEY who was a star !!

Below is the link to  their Arabian Horse Reading website .
You can view a wonderful VIDEO called Reading with the Horses and there are also Research links to this  Professional Research article-How Can Equine-Assisted Therapy Re- Pattern the Limbic System?
There are also 2 other links to articles that I have written called Equine -Assisted Learning-Healing with Horses as well as Praise versus Encouragement .

Enjoy!!
Dr. Brenda E. Abbey

In many classroom learning activities , considerable burdens are  placed on a student’s working memory, whether related to Mathematics, Reading,  Written Language, Science or Social Studies. Activities which require the student to hold in their brain  some information{ a sentence to be written down} while spelling the individual words in the sentence are the kinds of classroom learning activities on which children with poor working memory struggle with the most. As a result, many students with poor working memory fail to complete their assignments properly because they have lost the crucial information needed to guide their actions.
Working memory failures can manifest themselves in frequent errors like;-incomplete recall, failing to follow instructions or forgetting the content of an instruction or only remembering a part of the sequence,  short unorganized written output, place-keeping errors and task abandonment where the child gives up on the assignment completely.

In order to avoid working memory related failures, educators need to be aware of the cognitive processing demands on working memory loads, then decrease the working memory loads in a variety of structured classroom learning activities. 

 Since there is uncertainty about outcomes , any  new learning experience is often scary for both children as well as young  racehorses. I have found planning for success in any learning activity  involves an understanding  of the unique  temperament and needs of either the child or the young thoroughbred.  One training plan does not fit  all children or young horses.
I believe  attachment provides a strong foundation for the child as well as the young racehorse and reaffirms the importance of establishing a relationship to develop trust and motivation to learn.

As a breeder and owner of registered Thoroughbreds as well as a Child Cognitive Psychologist in private practice,  I have realized that understanding the difference between an Agenda and a Plan is important when developing the strengths of both  young racehorses and students.
Agendas are rigid and without tolerance and adhering to AGENDAS when working with young horses or children's literacy learning  does not work as effectively as having a PLAN.
A plan means you have a specific outcome or goal in mind , however the HOW of  plans are flexible and can change , depending on  the specific characteristics/ strengths of the child  or the young horse.
In essence , one size does not fit all and those AGENDA followers  who are not flexible, end up frustrating everyone. Having a Plan allows us to change with the circumstances, eliminating the methods that do not work for the child or the young horse , while still focusing on what is important . All involved appreciate the focus on a positive learning atmosphere and interactions which will help reach the desired results.
Dr. Brenda E. Abbey  

Crimson Deed became  a racing winner in 2012. She is shown here at 10 days old  with her Champion Mother -Crimson Hue.
 
 Sadly her mother died when this filly was 3 months old.
Crimson Deed's story of overcoming obstacles and growing up as an orphan is the inspiration for a new Children's Therapy Picture /Storybook written by
                                              her  Thoroughbred owner/ breeder Dr. Brenda E. Abbey.
 This book will be of value as a therapy storybook as it relates to themes of loss, determination and the importance of Mother/ Baby attachment .
Crimson Deed has also  been a therapy partner for children involved in Equine- Assisted Learning sessions facilitated by Dr. Abbey . Children interacted with Crimson Deed and marvelled at her story of dealing with being alone after her mother died.
Contact Dr. Brenda E. Abbey for more information.

There is no finer mirror of our true nature than the horse.

This experiential nature of interacting with Thoroughbred horses on a large breeding farm in Alberta encourages self- awareness, self- regulation and personal reflection for children and youth.
 Dr. Brenda E. Abbey's counselling experience  and research indicates that Equine Facilitated Learning increases the child/ youth  client's awareness of their own emotional state and non -verbal body language based on recognizing the horse's reactions during the interaction time in the pasture or private paddock. This type of experiential learning with horses has proven very effective as a positive intervention  for children with ADD/ADHD . Even very young foals will react and provide a MIRROR for the client.
Dr.  Brenda E. Abbey has written an  article on Healing with Horses as well as another Research Paper   about How Equine- Assisted Learning Repatterns the Limbic System in children's brains { based on her own Applied research in this area}.