Wight Horse Wellbeing – based at Island Riding Centre – are launching a new therapy service on the Isle of Wight, offering an alternative therapy service to children and young people in need of therapeutic support.
The idea for this service has developed from the donation of Bailey the charity pony to the Island Riding Centre in September 2022 by Cariad Downer.
Bailey was donated to support children who were currently having therapy. Cariad is a qualified therapist and trauma informed coach and has received a national award from Barnardos for her dedication to the service. She was also previously a deputy head.
Louise Buckner from Island Riding Centre is passionate about using her facilities to help improve self-esteem and self-worth and wants to see more people benefit from being around horses and interacting with animals. She is passionate about using horses to heal and adopting a holistic approach to wellbeing. Louise wants to help educate the next generation to spend time with and care for animals.
Cariad and Louise’s shared love of horses and supporting people have led them to join forces to help support the Island with the increasing demand for mental health support. This service will be launched from 1st October 2024.
Equine Assisted Wellbeing offers everyone a unique opportunity to improve their mental wellbeing by working alongside horses with a specifically designed therapeutic programme.
This partnership between horses and individuals provides an environment for tremendous personal growth and development. It is a collaborative effort between a qualified therapist / coach, and a horse to address treatment goals.
This therapeutic and holistic approach is experiential in nature. Participants learn about themselves and others by taking part in activities with horses and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviours and patterns.
Horses naturally respond to the emotional issues people bring to the sessions, issues that are often displayed in their interaction with the horses. This allows the practitioner a unique insight into the learner’s individual difficulties and creates an environment where the horses can support both the learner and facilitator in working towards change.
Horses non-judgemental and non-verbal nature provides a safe place for participants to develop self- confidence and resilience and learn about themselves.
Who can benefit?
Anyone who has been subjected to or experienced:
• Emotional,
• Behavioural
• Relationship difficulties
• Difficulties attending school
• Family difficulties,
• Trauma or abuse
• Insecure attachments
• Autism
For more information, telephone 01983 214000.
