Our Three Foundations

Empowering Personal Agency

At the heart of the Pegasus Approach™ is the belief that true growth comes from within. Self-efficacy, as defined by psychologist Albert Bandura, is the belief in one’s ability to influence outcomes and navigate challenges. In equine-assisted learning, horses provide immediate, honest feedback—allowing participants to adjust, build confidence, and experience their own capacity for change.

Unlike typical learning models where facilitators prescribe meaning or direction, the Pegasus Approach™ ensures that participants take ownership of their experiences. By making decisions, observing their impact, and refining their approach, individuals strengthen their internal locus of control—the understanding that they have the power to shape their own lives.

 Changing Perspectives Through Experience

The Pegasus Approach™ is not about passive learning; it is about transformation. Based on Jack Mezirow’s theory of transformational learning, we recognize that deep, lasting change occurs when individuals engage in critical reflection and challenge their own assumptions.

Horses naturally create moments of self-discovery. Through experiential interaction, participants encounter perspectives they may not have previously considered, opening the door for profound personal shifts. Because the Pegasus Approach™ follows a midwifery model of facilitation rather than a directive model, each participant “births” their own insights, leading to a more meaningful and lasting transformation.

Safety, Choice, and Empowerment

Many individuals come to equine-assisted learning with life experiences that have shaped their sense of trust, agency, and safety. The Pegasus Approach™ is deeply trauma-informed, meaning that we prioritize creating a space where participants feel safe, have choices, and experience empowerment.

Horses, as sentient beings, offer nonjudgmental, present-moment interactions that help participants rebuild trust in themselves and others. We avoid imposing interpretations or pushing a specific agenda—instead, we allow individuals to move at their own pace, ensuring they always feel in control of their experience. Meaning making belongs to the individual.

This commitment to trauma-informed care makes the Pegasus Approach™ particularly powerful for individuals recovering from trauma, as well as anyone seeking an emotionally safe space for personal growth and self-discovery.