About our Sessions
We offer two categories of Sessions:
1. Therapy Sessions
2. Recreational Session
Please see our Prices here: Prices
1. Therapy sessions
We offer Therapy sessions in the following different settings:
Purpose of the Therapy session
We utilise activities around the horses and on horseback, around the farm and our farm animals, horticultural and craft activities for their therapeutic benefits.
Our Therapy sessions are tailored to meet every individual's specific needs, and a particular approach is chosen to help the individual progress towards their therapeutic goals.
Learning to ride is not the main goal of our Therapy sessions. However, participants are encouraged and guided to improve their riding skills over time, if appropriate. Most horseback riding is done with a leader, on a roller and pad and at a walking pace.
Riding, farmyard, garden and craft activities have the purpose to help the participant achieve their therapeutic goals rather than to get work done. Therefore we may sometimes try a range of different activities throughout a session.
Assessment
In the first session, we will carry out a comprehensive assessment with you/your child. We will look at strengths and areas of improvement. If possible, we will also view previous educational/occupational therapy/physiotherapy/social work or mental health reports. Based on this, we will develop therapeutic goals and draw up a programme in a session plan.
Session plan
This will be drawn up, taking into consideration the assessment made in the first session and any previous reports which are made available. Parents are actively encouraged to get involved in drawing up the session plan.
Progress reports and reviews
The benefits of therapeutic riding and care farming are multiple, but some benefits only set in after a number of sessions. We recommend a period of at least 8 sessions initially, and will then feed back to parents'carers/participants with a first progress report.
If the sessions are continued over a longer period, we will do brief progress reports every 8 sessions and will review the session plan every 6 months.
What happenes in a Therapy session
The first Therapy session
On your first arrival, Sandra will meet you in the yard. She will go through stable rules and safety issues with you and recieve your signed registration form.
The session takes place in our outdoor arena and around the wider farm area.
The first session has the purpose to introduce the new participant to the animals and explore the farm environement, as well as make a first assessment of the individual's skills and needs. Sandra will give the participant the lead, offering support and guidance, so that this first session can take place in a no pressure setting at the individual's own pace.
Activities during a first session may be an introduction to the horses and other farm animals, horse care and horseback riding, a farm walk.
Follow-on Therapy sessions
Activities in follow-on therapy sessions depend on what goals we have set in our session plan.
Plenty of time will be given to getting to know our animals over time, as building a trusting positive relationship with people and animals is a key part of the success of our work here.
Participants may be involved in leading, grooming and tacking the horse/pony, and planning out games and activities. They may wish to tend to other farm animals, explore the farm environment, and get involved in gardening or craft projects.
Riding plays an important part in a lot of sessions. Riding takes place in the outdoor arena. It may initially mainly focus on the correct posture of the rider, so that you will be able to gain as much benefit as possible from the stimulus and the motion of the horse’s gait. It may then lead on to activities on horse back such as games involving balls, toys, rings, sandbags, flash cards etc. The more confident rider may go on a trail ride across the fields.
The rider may also benefit from gentle exercises on horseback which are based on the principles of Pilates and Yoga. Relaxation can become a central part of the session. Yoga-based exercises on horseback are a great way to stretch and relax muscles and gain flexibility.
Some sessions mainly focus on the contact with the animals, the farm environment or nature. Participants may get invovled in cleaning out stables, feeding animals, watering animals, growing vegetables for the animals in the garden.
All these activities complement each other and all contribute to the overall beneficial effects of the session.
2. Recreational sessions
We offer Recreational sessions in the following different settings:
Purpose of the Recreational session
In our Recreational sessions, we offer a mix of activities, including horse care, horseback riding, animal care, farm walks, games - according to the participant's preferences and choices. The purpose of our Recreational sessions is to offer an enjoyable fun experience.
As part of a Recreational session, a participant may choose to acquire basic riding skills.
Other important information about our Sessions
Safety
Safety of participants, coach and animals during our sessions is paramount. To ensure safety at all times, we aks everyone to follow the coach's instructions.
We would like to stress that there is an inherent risk of injury associated with all equine activities, both while mounted and on the ground. Horses can be unpredictable and act on instinct at times, and accordingly have an inherent tendency to 'fight or flight' when they perceive or feel threatened. Our animals are all quiet, dependable and trained, but it must be understood that they may stumble, bite, kick or make unpredictable movements which
may cause the participant to be injured or fall from the horse.
Restrictions
There are some contra-indicators to taking up Therapeutic Riding, such as:
Child Protection
We operate under the HSE Children First Guidance 2011 and have a Child Protection Policy in place which can be viewed.
Respect and animal welfare
Mutual respect of all people and animals is a key element of our work here.
We will not accept abusive, theratening or violent behaviour towards people or animals at any time.
By nature, horses can only carry a limited amount of weight, depending on their own body weight and height. This does restrict how much rider's weight theiy can carry.
Our horse's weight bearing capacity is 90kg or 14 stone maximum.
Should a participant's weight be above this limit, we take consideration of this in the drawing up of their session plan, and we will plan with them activities which will still enable them to access the multiple benefits of being around animals and nature.
Weather
Sessions will go ahead even when it is rainy or windy. Please note our cancellation policy.
On very wet and wild days, we will retreat to the roofed stable area for indoor activities. There is a wide range of non-riding activities around the horses and other farm animals that are highly beneficial, and we will choose non-riding activities carefully to promote the rider's goals and meet the rider's needs.
Registration
Every participant is required to register with Hairy Henry by filling in our registration form. This includes a parental signature if the participant is under 18 years of age, and signing the disclaimer.
The registration form will provide us with important information which will help us plan a safe, beneficial and successful first session.
Contact us if you would like to register, and we will sedn you a copy of the registration form.
What to wear and what to bring
Solid footwear
To protect the ankle especially. If the participant is involved in riding with saddle and stirrups, it will be necessary for the rider to wear boots with heals (riding boots, wellies or walking boots) to prevent the foot from slipping through the stirrup.
It can get very wet and muddy here in the wintertime, so we suggest that wellies might be the best choice.
Comfortable trousers/pants that are not too tight, especially around upper legs and hips. Stetchy trousers or track suit bottoms, or jodphurs a best.
Dresses are not suitable for riding.
Comfortable top (not too tight) and an extra layer (hoody or jumper or fleece).
Raingear - waterproof trousers and raincoat - just in case.
Warm hat and gloves in winter.
We provide riding helmets and ask every rider to wear one. However, if for medical reasons, a participant cannot wear a helmet, an exception can be made, but in that case, we need to ask you for a doctor's note to confirm this.
We understand that some participants would like to bring a treat for the animals. We ask you to always check with Sandra whether and when it is ok to feed the animals.
Suitable treats are:
Carrots, apples, pears, parsnips, cabbage.
Not suitable treats are:
Sugar lumps, chocolate and other sweets, stale bread, moldy or rotten fruit or vegetables, dairy and meat products.
1. Therapy Sessions
2. Recreational Session
Please see our Prices here: Prices
1. Therapy sessions
We offer Therapy sessions in the following different settings:
- One-to-one
- Sibling
- Group
- Once-off taster
Purpose of the Therapy session
We utilise activities around the horses and on horseback, around the farm and our farm animals, horticultural and craft activities for their therapeutic benefits.
Our Therapy sessions are tailored to meet every individual's specific needs, and a particular approach is chosen to help the individual progress towards their therapeutic goals.
Learning to ride is not the main goal of our Therapy sessions. However, participants are encouraged and guided to improve their riding skills over time, if appropriate. Most horseback riding is done with a leader, on a roller and pad and at a walking pace.
Riding, farmyard, garden and craft activities have the purpose to help the participant achieve their therapeutic goals rather than to get work done. Therefore we may sometimes try a range of different activities throughout a session.
Assessment
In the first session, we will carry out a comprehensive assessment with you/your child. We will look at strengths and areas of improvement. If possible, we will also view previous educational/occupational therapy/physiotherapy/social work or mental health reports. Based on this, we will develop therapeutic goals and draw up a programme in a session plan.
Session plan
This will be drawn up, taking into consideration the assessment made in the first session and any previous reports which are made available. Parents are actively encouraged to get involved in drawing up the session plan.
Progress reports and reviews
The benefits of therapeutic riding and care farming are multiple, but some benefits only set in after a number of sessions. We recommend a period of at least 8 sessions initially, and will then feed back to parents'carers/participants with a first progress report.
If the sessions are continued over a longer period, we will do brief progress reports every 8 sessions and will review the session plan every 6 months.
What happenes in a Therapy session
The first Therapy session
On your first arrival, Sandra will meet you in the yard. She will go through stable rules and safety issues with you and recieve your signed registration form.
The session takes place in our outdoor arena and around the wider farm area.
The first session has the purpose to introduce the new participant to the animals and explore the farm environement, as well as make a first assessment of the individual's skills and needs. Sandra will give the participant the lead, offering support and guidance, so that this first session can take place in a no pressure setting at the individual's own pace.
Activities during a first session may be an introduction to the horses and other farm animals, horse care and horseback riding, a farm walk.
Follow-on Therapy sessions
Activities in follow-on therapy sessions depend on what goals we have set in our session plan.
Plenty of time will be given to getting to know our animals over time, as building a trusting positive relationship with people and animals is a key part of the success of our work here.
Participants may be involved in leading, grooming and tacking the horse/pony, and planning out games and activities. They may wish to tend to other farm animals, explore the farm environment, and get involved in gardening or craft projects.
Riding plays an important part in a lot of sessions. Riding takes place in the outdoor arena. It may initially mainly focus on the correct posture of the rider, so that you will be able to gain as much benefit as possible from the stimulus and the motion of the horse’s gait. It may then lead on to activities on horse back such as games involving balls, toys, rings, sandbags, flash cards etc. The more confident rider may go on a trail ride across the fields.
The rider may also benefit from gentle exercises on horseback which are based on the principles of Pilates and Yoga. Relaxation can become a central part of the session. Yoga-based exercises on horseback are a great way to stretch and relax muscles and gain flexibility.
Some sessions mainly focus on the contact with the animals, the farm environment or nature. Participants may get invovled in cleaning out stables, feeding animals, watering animals, growing vegetables for the animals in the garden.
All these activities complement each other and all contribute to the overall beneficial effects of the session.
2. Recreational sessions
We offer Recreational sessions in the following different settings:
- One-to-one
- Group
- Family fun sessions
Purpose of the Recreational session
In our Recreational sessions, we offer a mix of activities, including horse care, horseback riding, animal care, farm walks, games - according to the participant's preferences and choices. The purpose of our Recreational sessions is to offer an enjoyable fun experience.
As part of a Recreational session, a participant may choose to acquire basic riding skills.
Other important information about our Sessions
Safety
Safety of participants, coach and animals during our sessions is paramount. To ensure safety at all times, we aks everyone to follow the coach's instructions.
We would like to stress that there is an inherent risk of injury associated with all equine activities, both while mounted and on the ground. Horses can be unpredictable and act on instinct at times, and accordingly have an inherent tendency to 'fight or flight' when they perceive or feel threatened. Our animals are all quiet, dependable and trained, but it must be understood that they may stumble, bite, kick or make unpredictable movements which
may cause the participant to be injured or fall from the horse.
Restrictions
There are some contra-indicators to taking up Therapeutic Riding, such as:
- Allergy to horse hair and dust may restrict participation.
- Some medical conditions may not allow you or your child to take up sessions. If in doubt, please consult your doctor first.
- Behavioural difficulties which involve violence and cruelty towards animals.
Child Protection
We operate under the HSE Children First Guidance 2011 and have a Child Protection Policy in place which can be viewed.
Respect and animal welfare
Mutual respect of all people and animals is a key element of our work here.
We will not accept abusive, theratening or violent behaviour towards people or animals at any time.
By nature, horses can only carry a limited amount of weight, depending on their own body weight and height. This does restrict how much rider's weight theiy can carry.
Our horse's weight bearing capacity is 90kg or 14 stone maximum.
Should a participant's weight be above this limit, we take consideration of this in the drawing up of their session plan, and we will plan with them activities which will still enable them to access the multiple benefits of being around animals and nature.
Weather
Sessions will go ahead even when it is rainy or windy. Please note our cancellation policy.
On very wet and wild days, we will retreat to the roofed stable area for indoor activities. There is a wide range of non-riding activities around the horses and other farm animals that are highly beneficial, and we will choose non-riding activities carefully to promote the rider's goals and meet the rider's needs.
Registration
Every participant is required to register with Hairy Henry by filling in our registration form. This includes a parental signature if the participant is under 18 years of age, and signing the disclaimer.
The registration form will provide us with important information which will help us plan a safe, beneficial and successful first session.
Contact us if you would like to register, and we will sedn you a copy of the registration form.
What to wear and what to bring
Solid footwear
To protect the ankle especially. If the participant is involved in riding with saddle and stirrups, it will be necessary for the rider to wear boots with heals (riding boots, wellies or walking boots) to prevent the foot from slipping through the stirrup.
It can get very wet and muddy here in the wintertime, so we suggest that wellies might be the best choice.
Comfortable trousers/pants that are not too tight, especially around upper legs and hips. Stetchy trousers or track suit bottoms, or jodphurs a best.
Dresses are not suitable for riding.
Comfortable top (not too tight) and an extra layer (hoody or jumper or fleece).
Raingear - waterproof trousers and raincoat - just in case.
Warm hat and gloves in winter.
We provide riding helmets and ask every rider to wear one. However, if for medical reasons, a participant cannot wear a helmet, an exception can be made, but in that case, we need to ask you for a doctor's note to confirm this.
We understand that some participants would like to bring a treat for the animals. We ask you to always check with Sandra whether and when it is ok to feed the animals.
Suitable treats are:
Carrots, apples, pears, parsnips, cabbage.
Not suitable treats are:
Sugar lumps, chocolate and other sweets, stale bread, moldy or rotten fruit or vegetables, dairy and meat products.
Hairy Henry Rosette
Approaching a big horse can be a task which requires courage and bravery, and for some, it can be a challenge to make that extra step to enter into a relationship with a horse. That is the reason why we give each rider as much time as they need to build their first contact with our horses. We encourage our riders to get as close as they feel comfortable with our horses, because simply hugging one of our horses can trigger great smiles and feel really good!
We know that hugging a horse is easier said than done, so we have a rosette ready for any rider who gives Hairy Henry their first hug!
We know that hugging a horse is easier said than done, so we have a rosette ready for any rider who gives Hairy Henry their first hug!
This is our 'Hug a Hairy Henry' rosette
Caring for the horse can take an important place in each session - a great opportunity to learn about empathy, responsibility, committment and friendship.