What We Offer
Our equine-assisted coaching sessions
We offer a number of packages in a therapeutic environment combining support, guidance and coaching to children and young people experiencing social, emotional and behavioural issues
These sessions are built around the child or young person’s social and emotional needs from information provided on the referral form and in discussion with the referrer. They are used to support young people whose SEB issues are having a negative impact on their behaviour or ability to progress within a school setting.
Children and young people can be referred for specific, identified pieces of work which may require a more intensive intervention. This can be discussed and agreed at the point of referral.
Our Specific Sexual Health Safeguarding work is used to inform and educate children and young people who have displayed sexually harmful behaviours. It can also be used in the recovery work of children and young people who have been or are at risk of abuse, including sexual exploitation.
Equusense
Equusense is an 8 session programme. It is progressive in nature with the young person achieving goals and moving forward in every session. Equusense provides learning around basic horse care, horse psychology and horse handling, always linking this back to the young person and their current situation.
Somerset Equus staff use this opportunity to encourage the young person to translate their learning into thinking about themselves. We support this by helping with relevant and realistic strategies that can be applied to their everyday life in order to affect positive change.
Equusense can stand alone as an effective short term intervention or can be used as an introduction for longer term support.
Our Aim
Our aim is to work to reduce the negative behaviours and anxieties that some children and young people present.
We provide professional support and guidance in a therapeutic environment for children and young people who are experiencing social, emotional and behavioural challenges.
Working together with the horses can encourage positive relationships and increased self-esteem and self-worth. Through practical, hands on work and discussion we are able to support children and young people to find their own strategies to more positively manage their reaction to their thoughts, feelings and emotions.
These interventions can help towards achieving a more settled sense of self that is conducive to being open to learn. The idea of coaching is that a solution or way forward is found by exploring options with the child or young person and supporting them to find a way that works better for them rather than directing or instructing.
Horses are increasingly being used because they are emotive animals and sensitive communicators. Somerset Equus’ horses are trained to work alongside children and young people who are experiencing difficulties. The interaction with our horses encourages self-awareness and self-reliance.
Sessions are made up of time spent in The Shed using resources and discussion and time outside working with the horses. All sessions are tailored to the individual needs of the child. We have found that a weekly two hour session is most effective however, this can be increased if required.
Following each session written feedback is given to the referrer. We also provide a comprehensive review and an agreed point during our intervention. We are happy to attend meetings and contribute to reviews where appropriate.