"I learnt more about myself in one session than I ever have in any type of conventional therapy It felt quite a daunting thing to come in to, even though I’ve held horses in such high regard for most of my life; but to be in an environment that encourages just ‘being’ was still quite alien to me. I’ve been enjoying the little ‘bubble’ in my tummy I’ve felt ever since, and it has given me a sense of calm and quiet that I haven’t felt for a long long time! It made me feel more sure of myself and gave me a sense of confidence in my decisions. It was such a privilege to watch the herd at work, and to experience the ‘power of being present’ while exploring how to react to a moment, in that moment. It was extraordinary how quickly the herd were able to cut through the ‘everyday-ness’ of how humans function, and guide me to what I really needed - which I couldn’t have told you prior to going! I am now trying to carry that feeling of calm with me every day as it brings me great comfort. Having confidence in myself and my decisions is something I still need to work on, but I feel a greater sense of support - and this has helped eradicate a lot of feelings of doubt. It’s a unique way of learning about yourself. The way in which the process completely strips back interactions to their bare bones is quite overwhelming at times, but incredibly useful and enlightening. I feel I learnt more about myself in my first session with Nina and the herd, than I ever have in any other type of ‘conventional’ therapy. The only thing I’d say is it doesn’t matter what headspace you have when you arrive, the horses will find what you need and make it clear. All the normal human attributes of overthinking and worrying what others may think or doubting yourself serve no purpose with horses - so they are quickly forgotten. It feels like the horses are able to look directly into your soul and instinctively know what you need - it’s then our job to take that on and fit it into our way of being. Daisy Weir, Student

“A clear mirror to what was happening and how new outcomes could be achieved” So, what is different when you add therapy horses and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) specialists into the coaching mix? What do you gain, that you can’t achieve in an hour of conventional coaching? In 2019 I went along as a client, to find out for myself if the reality matched the rhetoric, and what the difference actually was - I was blown away by my experience!The horse’s reaction made what I was doing, and the impact it was having on me, so obvious. The experience was visceral. I can recall it vividly, and I relate back to it regularly, giving myself the permission they gave me to relax and step back – Reflecting on the session, and why it had the impact it did, I realised that for once I had allowed my analytical mind to rest. Being totally immersed in the experience enabled me to access deeper insights, without my mind blocking these with old stories and expectations. It was quite a shock to be faced with the reality that my usual behaviours and coping mechanisms didn’t actually get me the results I wanted! Even more so to realise that by actually thinking less and being more in tune with how I felt, produced great results! The horses had provided a clear mirror to what was happening and how new outcomes could be achieved. When I find myself trying really hard, putting myself under pressure to do my very best, I am reminded of the feeling in the session. I can physically feel the sensations I experienced that day, and can quickly act on this and change my behaviour. By behaving differently, I am able to get better results, quicker.