questions & Answers
- Equine Assisted Learning is a process in which groups or individuals work with horses and a facilitator to develop their personal awareness, problem solving skills, team-working and leadership skills amongst others.
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy involves using therapeutic activities in an arena to develop emotional growth and personal development with a team consisting of horses, a psychotherapist and a horse professional who can work together with the client.
- Social Farming consists of farm activities to promote therapy, rehabilitation, social inclusion, education and social services in small groups of people working together with family farmers.
- (see socialfarmingireland.ie)
«The Safe and Sound Protocol is an evidence-based therapeutic tool designed to reset the nervous system and return it to safety.» & Answers
(integratedlistening.com)
Our corporate teambuilding sessions take place either in our small family farm or for larger groups we collaborate with Clonshire Equestrian Centre.
The benefits of equine therapy are physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual. Physically participants often experience improved muscle tone in the trunk and relaxation in the limbs. Emotionally many people experience increased resilience and self-regulation and decreased levels of anger and depression. Cognitively communication skills, relationship skills, problem solving and teamwork skills have been shown improvement.
Horses are able to read the most subtle cues and respond to the messages people give to them in that moment with complete honesty. Horses can connect to people in a deep way that may rework attachment issues.
Horses reflect back the emotional state of the participant, so that people learn to recognise their emotions and see that if their feelings and behaviour changes, the horses will respond differently to them.
People can then translate that learning to their interactions with others.
Participants will be in an arena with the horses, the equine specialist and facilitator. There is not neccessarily horse riding involved – for much of our work your feet are on the ground.
The focus of all our Equine Assisted Therapies is not riding or horsemanship. Some of our programs involve horse back work, others do not.
The focus involves setting up activities involving the horses, which will require the client or group to apply certain skills e.g. bringing a horse over a pole, or through a maze. This can lead to personal reflections and be a fun way to learn.
There are various packages available based on individuals, groups or organisations; prices range from €35 for 30minutes to €140 for an hour – please contact us for more details.
Sessions can last from 30 minutes to an hour and 30 mins depending the needs of the individual and group sizes. We also provide full day and half-day workshops for groups. Programs are tailored to the groups requirements eg team-building , personal development or a de-stress and connect day.
No knowledge or previous experience of horses is necessary. Even if you don’t like horses this could be helpful to establish ways of changing patterns of behaviour and experimenting with new approaches.
No problem, many clients have initially had a fear of horses, we have a safe and supportive environment for you, where working with your fear may prove invaluable in building confidence and resilience and developing new skills.
Please wear sturdy and sensible footwear e.g. wellies or walking shoes. We recommend that you wear comfortable and easily washed clothes. Rain jackets, leggings and water boots are recommended for rainy days; sun hats, sun screen and fly repellent for hot days. Boots with a small heel are recommended for ridden work.
Sessions may be rescheduled in the case of storms, snow or high winds.
Equine Assisted Therapy is suitable for children of 4 years up, families, couples, teenagers and the retired . Also ,of course ,SME’s and large corporations.