Supporting the Horse and People Project

OUR STORY

Kate and I created the Horse and People Project CIC in March 2021 so that we could support mental well being throughout Warwickshire with our horse assisted therapeutic learning (HATL) programmes. Kate has a degree in equine management and a special interest in equine behaviour. Louise has a nursing, counselling and teaching background. We offer horse assisted therapeutic learning sessions to people who have tried other approaches to improve mental well being with limited success, or who find it really difficult to access mainstream services. We know there is a need as we have delivered sessions before to young people who had disengaged from education because of trauma, bullying, anxiety, family issues, psychological or emotional issues, or were experiencing problems in other areas of their lives that were limiting or damaging to their mental well being, health and development. We also worked with adults experiencing stress disorders and addictions who found our approach using horses so helpful, that they wanted more access to it. The feedback they gave us provided the evidence we needed to leave our paid employment and focus entirely on establishing The Horse and People Project CIC as a not-for-profit organisation that ploughs any surplus funding back into providing more sessions for people who want to try a different way of understanding themselves and making positive changes that are helpful to them, with the help of horses, in their own, unique way.

HOW IT WORKS

Everyone we talk to is interested in how this approach works and it is tricky to describe in words. However, alongside a lot of research that supports the approach, our own experience as facilitators tells us this:

• Horses are intuitive creatures that monitor their environment continually using their senses, because, in the wild, they would be objects of prey.
• They pick up on very small changes in their environment and this includes human behaviour, body language and voice tone. They decide whether we are ok to approach or not.
• They respond to us immediately and without any of the communication games that we humans play.
• By doing this they show us how they perceive us and we become more aware of  behavioural patterns we may have, some of which may be helpful and some that we may want to change. As facilitators, we design challenges with the horses in an arena, that provide the opportunity for this self-discovery to happen. We use reflective time with clients after each activity with the horses, that helps to identify the thought patterns behind their decisions and behaviours during the activity, and identify strengths they can build on and other patterns they may want to change.
• Through the challenges and games that we set up, they also have the opportunity to experiment with different approaches to solving problems and developing coping strategies. These can then be applied to other areas of their lives, and clients feel happier, more in control, and more fulfilled.
• Clients start to use their own intuition and learn to trust their own judgement. Self -confidence and self- esteem rocket, as does self-efficacy - the self-belief and skills needed  to reach a goal.

Horse assisted therapeutic learning is conducted completely 'on the ground', face to face with the horses - this allows an equal and respectful relationship to develop. There is no riding involved at all. It is inclusive, intuitive, empowering and transformative. It works quickly and effectively because we learn best by doing and reflecting and it can be;

• fun yet profound
• gentle yet challenging
• accepting yet transformative
• individualised yet collaborative

OUR VISION

We want horse assisted therapeutic learning to be accessible and available to anyone in Coventry and Warwickshire who feels they need it. One size does not fit all, and we are committed to making this innovative and powerful approach equally available to people who can't fund their sessions, as to those who can. We believe that horses can offer humans an experience that stays with them. To do this we need to be able to support the sessions financially, and that's where you come in. There are several groups that would like to access our service; 11-18 year olds experiencing psychological, social and emotional issues, young carers who have responsibilities that no young person should be expected to have, veterans and others, including key workers experiencing traumatic stress disorders, families affected by life changing diagnoses, and many more. We are appealing to the public to help us to fund these sessions in very testing times. 

TESTIMONIALS

These are just a few examples of feedback we have received from clients of different ages:

"An experience I wouldn't have missed for the world".

"The safe space provided at the project is a lovely environment to deepen our understanding of ourselves and how we communicate".

"The immediate impact of the guided time with the horses was personally impactful. What a unique, calming and beautiful experience to learn about myself with the help of these majestic creatures, (and the facilitators!)

When asked what the most important thing young clients had learned about themselves was....

"I can walk away from arguments".

"I'm more assertive than I thought".

"I don't always have to do things on my own - I can ask for help".

"I felt happy because I have tried something new".

"To try my best and if I can't do it one way, try a different way".

"No matter what, don't give up and keep trying even if your nerves get in".