FAQ

INFORMATION

Come and join us at our brand new horse farm opening in 2007!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is therapeutic horsemanship?

Therapeutic horsemanship is the bringing together of people and horses in activities which will improve the person's wellbeing. It is part of a growing range of services allowing people to benefit from contact with horses in a safe supervised environment. These services are usually aimed at disadvantaged or socially excluded groups. Similar equine services include Equine Facilitated Learning, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Assisted Therapy. It shares some similarities with Riding for the Disabled, but the focus of therapeutic horsemanship is on caring for the horse from the ground up (not just riding) and usually is offered to people with mental/behavioural and emotional issues rather than people with physical disabilities.

These activities have been very popular in the States for some time, and are now starting to be recognised in the UK. NARHA (The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) has a department dedicated to Equine Facilitated Mental Health, and EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association) now has a European branch. There are various groups in fledgling stages in the UK. Also related is the recently formed Care Farm Movement, which shares the objectives of people benefiting from contact with animals and nature.

Therapeutic Horsemanship can benefit many people mentally, physically, emotionally and behaviourally, but should never be detrimental to the horse's mental, physical, emotional or behavioural wellbeing.

Which special needs groups do you cater for?

Our objective is to make Horses Helping People accessible to anyone who could benefit from time spent with horses and access to rural space, as long as they can be safely served within the centre's resources. Places at Horses Helping People are limited, but we aim to provide services for groups such as children and adults with mental health and behavioural issues, people with autism, people with learning disabilities, school refusers and hard to engage high achieving students, people undergoing drug and alcohol rehabilitation and people from disadvantaged backgrounds or socially excluded groups whose circumstances might otherwise make it difficult to gain access to similar activities.

Who pays for the therapeutic activities?

The activities are funded in a number of ways. Some clients pay through Social Services Direct Payment. Others get sponsorship or grants. We also offer some day trips which are sponsored by companies. Clients can also pay privately if they are able.

Are the activities safe?

At Horses Helping People we view safety as a top priority. Although activities involving horses always carries some risk, we make sure that the horses have suitable temperaments and are specially trained to cope with the demands of the job. Staff and volunteers are also given ongoing training. All the activities are risk assessed, and safety standards constantly reviewed. We are open to health & safety inspections.

I know someone that would benefit - how can they get involved?

Ask their key health support worker (ie care manager/social worker/GP) to contact us to find out more. If a suitable place is available, and our criteria for clients are met, we will arrange an initial visit. Alternatively contact us directly.

Why do you use Western Riding?

We are Western riders ourselves, and find that the relaxed style, comfortable saddles and slower paces suit our riders very well. Most importantly, the creation of a trusting partnership between horse and human is at the heart of our philosophy.

Do you have activities for the general public?

Yes, we give Western riding lessons and have training clinics for the general public. These help to support the therapeutic activities. See activities section for more information.

Can I become a volunteer?

Yes, as long as you are over 18. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, to assist us in a wide variety of activities, such as helping with the therapeutic horsemanship programme, gardening, craftwork, promotion work etc. No previous experience necessary - or perhaps you have a skill you would like to share? Volunteers will benefit from an ongoing training programme. All volunteers will be required to be CRB checked as we are working with vulnerable groups. For more information, please contact us.

I'd like to support Horses Helping People - how can I help?

Financial support is always welcome - visit our donations page to find out different ways of helping, from donating and fundraising to corporate sponsorship. Or you could sign up for our email updates - we will alert you to news and upcoming events at Horses Helping People, and you can help us by spreading the word amongst your friends.

Coming soon - the chance to support our work by becoming a Horses Helping People herd member with a regular newsletter and other benefits.

If you have the time, why not consider volunteer work - we welcome volunteers over eighteen years old. Alternatively, have you got any equipment you could donate - we sometimes are glad of donations such as wheelbarrows, gardening equipment, good quality Western tack etc.

Who formed Horses Helping People and why?

Horses Helping People is a social enterprise formed by Dave Johnson and Debbie La-Haye. We both come from a lifetime of being involved with horses and have a background of teaching Western riding and training horses. Inspired by our time spent over the last seven years working with adults with enduring mental health issues taking part in equine activities, we realised how important horses could be therapeutically for a wide range of people. Aware of our own good fortune in having had the benefit of horse company throughout our lives, we decided to create a centre which would serve the whole community by developing equine therapeutic work and reaching out to a wider range of groups including young people. We also wanted to become a centre of learning for people interested in therapeutic horsemanship and equine facilitated learning, while involving the whole community through mainstream and shared activities, which we hope will help to break down some barriers between the general public and commonly excluded groups, with horses as the guides. We chose to become a not for profit Community Interest Company.

What was the inspiration for the Horses Helping People logo?

Our logo was created from an original photograph taken by respected horsewoman Leslie Desmond. Our thanks go to Leslie for allowing us to use her photo - see more of her work, including lots of great horse advice, at her website.