“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and freedom.”
Sharon Ralls Lemon
What is Equine Facilitated Learning & Wellness?
Equine Facilitated Learning & Wellness, or “EFW” for short, is a term that describes programs in which humans and horses, (and sometimes dogs, cats and even chickens!) work in partnership to facilitate personal growth, and foster the development of emotional intelligence & attuned relationships.
How does that work? When observing a herd of horses and herd behaviour, there are a number of small yet profound interactions that may bring to the forefront thoughts or beliefs we have about ourselves, others, our relationships, and the world. These thoughts and beliefs can create barriers between us and others. When experiencing a facilitated session with equine partners, we can observe, identify and transform the barriers to our wellbeing.
Our programs are informed by neuroscience, psychology and spirituality, and nurtured by my mentors, Mena Canonico (Mena & The Freedom Herd), Delena Austin (Wisdom Ranch & Counselling) and Sue McIntosh (Healing Hooves).
Sessions are designed to support individuals, couples and families in transforming their experience of themselves and the world around them. Each session will be tailored to the individual/group; the sessions will be structured, yet, allow for flow and the guidance of our equine partners.
Our Mission:
Partnering with horses to facilitate personal growth, and foster the development of emotional intelligence & attuned relationships through connection, courage and creativity.
Our Vision:
All people have the capacity to weather life’s ups and downs, grounded in the knowing that they are loved, just as they are, and that they matter.
Our Programs Include:
The Journey began with a horse & a blog!
The Joystone Journey is inspired by my heart horse Winston, and will capture our story from the very beginning, while also growing and evolving as the journey continues, one step at a time. Here we go!
My name is Stefanie Ly, and I have started this blog in October of 2021 to:
- Keep a personal record of growth on my journey as a life-long student of Equine Facilitated Wellness and Liberty Horsemanship
- Make connections with others who love, learn from and work with horses
- Inspire creativity, self-expression and joy!
Do you have Instagram? Follow along on our journey @joystone.equine
Progress & Parties
Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Where we started The farm we live on came with 5 outbuildings, in various states of abandonment and disrepair. Goal 1 – was clean out the spaces in the barn where the horses and cats would…
SO Many babies…
It all began with the kittens… Once the horses settled in, and the barn clean up was underway, we began to think about how to acquire some faithful (and useful!) barn cats. I applied to a local program that supports the re-homing of feral cats and cats that are otherwise unsuitable for household pet status,…
Catching Up
“Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the action stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.” Anais Nin 10 years ago, in 2013, I began to dream. My dream was of a farm, and all the possibility and richness I thought that it might bring my family, as…