Is horse therapy safe

People often wonder - am I safe when I go and interact with horses - after all, they can be scary.

I totally understand this, and, before you even come, we will have a discussion as to what you are coming for - and whether or not you've had any experiences around horses - good or bad. 

Let me put to rest any worries straight away that you might have read in other places - I do not let you go into a field and have the horses charging towards you so that the "right one" can pick you! From our conversation, I will already have worked out which of my horses is going to be your first one to interact with - after that, we will either move to another one, or carry on working with that one. 

If we do go into the field together with the horses loose, then I head infront of you and slow them down and break them up so that they are not going to overwhelm you, and at all times, I place myself in a position where I can see and feel what's going on - and intervene when needed for safety. 

For example, if we go for a walk with one of the horses on the road, I will always have an extra lead rope attached to the horse and will always put you on the inside between the horse and the road and we only ever walk where those passing know who we are and what we are doing and slow down accordingly and there are plenty of passing places. 

If you have a quick look at the photos and descriptions of the horses, you will also glimpse into the reasons why I picked them for working here - from the very first time I read something about them, I have to know that they are going to be able and willing to work in this space with lots of people. I train them for this and I know their moods and their thoughts - so even on the day, I can swap out for another one before you even arrive if I have to! 

On your side, I ask you to wear good fitting clothes and solid boots - with the best will in the world, being around horses does carry some risk - and feet can be caught if you don't dance out of the way quick enough in an unexpected shock! I ask you to follow all my instructions quickly and quietly and without question - we will discuss what happened afterwards and you'll have a full explanation of why it happened and what it means - but in the moment, there's no time! 

Obviously, with horse feed and hay around, I ask you not to smoke or light up anything that can cause fire. I also, even without the horses, ask you to attend our sessions sober from booze and drugs - it might give you courage, but the end result of therapy is that you can live a full life without needing any external influences to get you there - and being drunk or high slows down progress. 

But, the answer to your question - is it safe? 

Yes, it is safe - I have enough horses to pick and choose and enough stables to make it safe in them and to bring horses in and out before you come. 

If we work in the field with the others, which we might sometimes for some work, then I make sure that I have full awareness of everything that is going on around us - and that all the horses are trained to back off and go away and leave a safe area where people can stay. 

And, on your part, when we have the pre-visit call, be honest and upfront - I don't mind what you say because I can work with it, but it saves time for you if you are - because I can discern the best starting point for you with the best horse that will help you - and we all want that.

So come, be happy, enjoy the experience, and know that we are looking out for your physical safety as well as your emotional safety.