Discover a New Path Forward…

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” ~ Lao Tzu

Kristel Boon

Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator

“What began as an exercise in personal development opened a door to extraordinary connection, hope and healing.“

More about Kristel

Unhaltered Hope

Equine Assisted Learning

Unhaltered Hope is a social enterprise offering Equine Assisted Learning (EAL).

Equine Assisted Learning is an experiential way of growing and overcoming personal obstacle through gentle guidance and interaction with horses. Participants engage in objective-oriented exercises and find themselves learning valuable life lessons and skills in the positive, affirming company of horses.

Our programs are offered in partnership with Reverence Stables, Calgary, AB.

Unhaltered Hope

4.8

Based on 5 reviews

review us on

Greg Holsworth

14:01 24 Apr 23

What a unique and fun experience- learning to walk with a horse!I reflected after my experience on how I lead with my teams and how often I stopped to see that my team was following versus simply leading , knowing (and trusting) they were following right behind.For one’s own personal growth or to help you see how you lead, this was a worthwhile opportunity.

Tia Bell

16:26 21 Mar 23

I don't think words can truly describe the experience! This was my first experience attending an EAL session. I have ridden horses before but have never been super comfortable around them. Kristel did such a great job at creating conversation around the worries and helping us to build confidence as we worked with the horses. I was happy to know that we won't be riding the horses but rather guiding them through various obstacles. The obstacles themselves were simple in design, but it was more about my own ability to connect with the horse I had and have her go through them. By the third obstacle I could feel myself and my teammate (that I had only just met that day) fully relax. The time went too quickly because I had so much fun being fully present in the moment and feeling really proud of myself. I hope for, and look forward to, many more EAL sessions with Kristel. She knew exactly when to step in for support but allowed us time to sort through the challenges. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!

Janet Robinson

20:03 06 Feb 23

Kristel is a wonderful facilitator. She takes the time to genuinely get to know her program participants and adapts her program to help her students find success. She is knowledgeable, caring and kind. Kristel puts safety first - that of her participants and of the horses.It has been a pleasure working with her and learning from her over the last two years.

Jacalyn Klassen

22:48 01 Feb 23

Working with Kristel at Roarr has been nothing but a pleasure. I am always looking forward to being around her..learning from her …and laughing with her.Kristel, you have taught me so many things and I appreciate everything you have done for me. You truly are an amazing person. I look forward to working with you again

Tammy Jones

18:08 27 Jan 23

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Kristel through Opening Gaits, where she has worked with my autistic 14 year old son. Kristel has shown great patience and creativity while working with my son, who is non verbal with many different sensory issues. She has had some keen insights into how to motivate Connor and as a result Connor has had some very beautiful interactions with the horses. It is always a challenge to provide kiddos on the spectrum the opportunities for connection, but Kristel has offered this on a number of occasions. We are grateful that people like Kristel have so much passion for both the animals and the kiddos they teach❤️

What does Equine Assisted Learning Look Like?

Is class room learning not for you?

Perfect! During your EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) session(s) with us, the only time you will find yourself in a classroom (if you choose to) is during the briefing and debriefing. You will learn all other valuable life skills while working with a team that consists of two or three human participants, and one very informed horse.

The inside of a class room showing a screen and a large standing notepad

Are you curious about what horses can teach us?

In Equine Assisted Learning we are allowing the horses to teach you. Horses consistently assess and react to stimulus provided by participants, but they do this without judgement. This is the skill that is truly profound. Their feedback is honest and instant. By working with horses in an EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) setting, you will learn about leadership, problem solving, negotiation skills, and other valuable life skills.

What does “live in the moment” mean to you?

Living in the moment and mindfulness are terms that have resurfaced in this recent decade. You can practice these wonderful skills in a variety of ways, such as meditation, or yoga to name a few. But how about practicing living in the moment with the help of a horse? Horses are the best teachers to show you how to live in the moment and teach you other vital skills that can assist you for the rest of your life.

You can find more information about our Programs right here!

Take me to the Programs!