HORSES AND GESTALT COACHING: A PROMISING COMBINATION FOR LIFE SKILLS LEARNING

Abstract

Life skills play an important role in developing adaptive behaviours that are necessary to improve one’s quality of life. An individual with a broad range of life skills is more resilient than one with fewer skills. They can better withstand the challenges of constant change, successfully coping with stress and creating a fulfilling life. The aim of this research is to theoretically substantiate the possible benefits of equine-partnered gestalt coaching in life skills learning. Both Gestalt coaching and horses – specifically in context of different methods incorporated in equine assisted activities – are mentioned as they relate to the improvement of various aspects of quality of life based in life skills learning.