What is horse powered reading?

Discover a new, exciting outdoor experience partnered with horses and ponies, learning and practicing literacy skills.
Michele Pickel, Ph.D., created EAGALA Model Horse Powered Reading Instruction in 2012, as an experiential strategy to help struggling readers not only learn missing reading skills, but also to assist them in overcoming the social-emotional challenges interfering with their learning. 
Due to the success of Horse Powered Reading, and hoping to change the lives of children across the nation, Dr. Pickel developed an online class to teach other mental health professionals, equine specialists, and educators who would like to learn how to use Horse Powered Reading to help their clients and students. 

What can horse powered reading teach?

The use of experiential learning / Horse Powered Reading may include:​

• Building decoding (phonics) skills and sight word recognition
• Enhancing vocabulary development
• Reading more quickly and accurately with expression (fluency)
• Overcoming barriers blocking comprehension
• Practicing positive study skills
• Comprehending text books​

• Decoding new, unfamiliar, and multi-syllable words
• Achieving higher order thinking
• Using critical and creative thinking
• Building confidence, persistence, perseverance and patience
• Learning self-advocacy skills (ask for help, “read” the horse, bonding)

join us for equine assisted learning fun!

2024 Horse powered reading flyer

2024 horse powered reading
​Registration Form

Horse Powered Reading Liability Waiver

horse powered fun individual/small group reading lessons

2024 schedule

$50 per class
or $200 for the 4 week summer session
(includes snack and art project to take home)
Age: 1st grade to 8th grade

1 to 1 with facilitator/student

Maximum of 3 students per class

no horse experience necessary

Parent/Guardian over 18 must attend with minor student. No drop off.

session weeks available

2024 SESSIONS ENROLLING NOW

Print out and mail in your registration form. Do not pay in advance. Payments accepted in person at each session. $40 tax-deductible donation to: Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc.
Cash, check and money order accepted.

Super Summer Saturdays
June 22 - 10am to noon, Simi Valley
June 29 - 10am to noon, Simi Valley
July 6 - 10am to noon, Simi Valley
July 13 - 10am to noon, Simi Valley