Destination Rescue Demonstration
April 27, 2013
What is Destination Rescue?
Destination Rescue is a program in which people handle rescue horses, and interact with them through ordinary grooming and massaging exercises, followed by any of a variety of Equine Assisted Therapy experiences, including visualization and meditation.
What do participants get from Destination Rescue?
The objective of Destination Rescue is to bring people into The Circle of Giving. The Circle begins when people come, and are of service to these needy animals. The group is then expertly guided into experiences of feeling more relaxed, confident, and connected to the world around them. The Circle completes as participants return the healing that they have received from these Rescue horses, helping the horses to heal even more.
Destination Rescue has been an active program in Eagle, CO in conjunction with Mountain Valley Horse Rescue since early 2012.
In this demonstration, a rescue horse will be brought into the activity area, along with a group of 5 to 12 program participants. The people will groom the horse, while discussion about the purposes for grooming occurs. Participants will be taught, and will have opportunity to practice, the very simplest of equine massage.
Then the group will move into a semi-circle, or “horseshoe” position around the horse, and be guided through a series of visualizations, while focusing on their breathing, that will build relaxation and confidence. Then they will “make a wish” for the best for the horse in the demonstration, and for all the participants and observers. Participants will be have the opportunity to share their experiences with the group at the end.