Our Team
Therapeutic Riding Coach - Sandra Schmid
Sandra enjoys working with people, and her great passion are horses, animals in general, and nature. At Hairy Henry's she is bringing one of her dreams to life - to create a safe therapeutic space where people can engage with animals and nature, learn from them, grow with them.
Sandra learned horseback riding when she was 9 years old, and has been around horses ever since. She has owned horses for the last 12 years. She holds certificates in horse handling skills and horse riding and is a passionate long-distance rider. She also uses her horses for ploughing and carriage driving and runs courses in working with horses in farming and forestry (www.horsepowerinireland.com).
Sandra qualified as a Therapeutic Riding Coach with Festina Lente/Co. Wicklow (www.festinalente.ie). She has been working in this area for 3 years.
Sandra is a certified independent Horse Boy Practitioner, according to Rupert Isaacson's 'Horse Boy Method' (www.horseboyworld.com).
Sandra also holds FETAC qualifications in Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning. She was trained in this area by Dr. Allan and Jane Hamilton of Rancho Bosque Equine Assisted Therapy. She has been working in this area for the last 6 years.
Sandra also holds a Degree in Social Work and Pedagogy and is a professionally qualified social work practitioner with 15 years experience in various fields of social work, social care and community work. She also holds a Postrgradutate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work), and works as part-time tutor for the School of Applied Social Studies in University College Cork.
Sandra is registered as a social worker with CORU, and she is also registered with the Teaching Council as a Home Tutor and works part-time with children on the Autism Spectrum.
Sandra is fully trained as an occupational first aider and Garda vetted.
Sandra also ocassionally teaches as a heritage specialist in Primary Schools under the 'Heritage in Schools' scheme run by INTO and the Heritage Council Ireland (www.heritageinschools.ie).
Sandra learned horseback riding when she was 9 years old, and has been around horses ever since. She has owned horses for the last 12 years. She holds certificates in horse handling skills and horse riding and is a passionate long-distance rider. She also uses her horses for ploughing and carriage driving and runs courses in working with horses in farming and forestry (www.horsepowerinireland.com).
Sandra qualified as a Therapeutic Riding Coach with Festina Lente/Co. Wicklow (www.festinalente.ie). She has been working in this area for 3 years.
Sandra is a certified independent Horse Boy Practitioner, according to Rupert Isaacson's 'Horse Boy Method' (www.horseboyworld.com).
Sandra also holds FETAC qualifications in Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning. She was trained in this area by Dr. Allan and Jane Hamilton of Rancho Bosque Equine Assisted Therapy. She has been working in this area for the last 6 years.
Sandra also holds a Degree in Social Work and Pedagogy and is a professionally qualified social work practitioner with 15 years experience in various fields of social work, social care and community work. She also holds a Postrgradutate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work), and works as part-time tutor for the School of Applied Social Studies in University College Cork.
Sandra is registered as a social worker with CORU, and she is also registered with the Teaching Council as a Home Tutor and works part-time with children on the Autism Spectrum.
Sandra is fully trained as an occupational first aider and Garda vetted.
Sandra also ocassionally teaches as a heritage specialist in Primary Schools under the 'Heritage in Schools' scheme run by INTO and the Heritage Council Ireland (www.heritageinschools.ie).
(Hairy) HENRY
Henry is a 13 year old Irish Cob gelding. He came to live with us when he was only just over a year old.
Henry likes to do things slow and steady. He is friendly and patient, especially with children.
He has been trained for Therapeutic Riding, but he also can do other things like ploughing and pulling the cart.
Henry offers a hairy warm hug to anyone who wants it!
Henry likes to do things slow and steady. He is friendly and patient, especially with children.
He has been trained for Therapeutic Riding, but he also can do other things like ploughing and pulling the cart.
Henry offers a hairy warm hug to anyone who wants it!
WINNIE
Winnie is an 12 year old Irish Cob mare. She was born here.
Winnie is very sociable and generous and enjoys the company of people.
Like Henry, she is trained as a Therapeutic Riding horse, but also works in the field with Henry, and she also pulls the cart.
Winnie had four foals so far. One of her daughters, Flora, still lives with us.
Winnie also is soft and hairy and a wonderful horse to hug!
Winnie is very sociable and generous and enjoys the company of people.
Like Henry, she is trained as a Therapeutic Riding horse, but also works in the field with Henry, and she also pulls the cart.
Winnie had four foals so far. One of her daughters, Flora, still lives with us.
Winnie also is soft and hairy and a wonderful horse to hug!
FLORA
Flora is a 6 year old Irish Cob mare. She is Winnie's and Henry's daughter and was born here.
Flora still has lots to learn, but she already shows great potential as a Therapeutic Riding horse. This summer, we started to slowly introduce her to our work as part of our therapeutic riding team, and she is loving her job.
Despite her young age, Flora already is a great and generous hugger!
Flora still has lots to learn, but she already shows great potential as a Therapeutic Riding horse. This summer, we started to slowly introduce her to our work as part of our therapeutic riding team, and she is loving her job.
Despite her young age, Flora already is a great and generous hugger!
DAISY
Daisy came to live with us a couple of years ago. She is 22 years old but still young at heart. She is an experienced and extremely sociable pony with a cheerful and friendly attitude.
She loves to be hairstyled, and by rolling in the mud, she makes sure that she always gets a lot of attention through brushing and cleaning her again.
She loves to be hairstyled, and by rolling in the mud, she makes sure that she always gets a lot of attention through brushing and cleaning her again.
Nell and Ee-ore
Nell and Ee-ore are mother and daughter donkeys who have come to live here about 3 years ago. Nell is the wise and calm grown-up, whereas Ee-ore is the cuddly boisterous young one. They love to have their noses rubbed and alway welcome a treat (or two...).
Our sheep
There are quite a few of them...
Selma is the oldest and is retired now. She usually hangs out with Maisie and Harriet, her daughter and grand-daughter. Those two have lambs every year.
Then there are the boys - Frascati the ram with his sons of various sizes and ages.
All are friendly and like meeting people, especially if they bring a cabbage leaf or carrot with them...
Selma is the oldest and is retired now. She usually hangs out with Maisie and Harriet, her daughter and grand-daughter. Those two have lambs every year.
Then there are the boys - Frascati the ram with his sons of various sizes and ages.
All are friendly and like meeting people, especially if they bring a cabbage leaf or carrot with them...
Bob and Annie
Both Bob and Annie are rescue dogs who came to live here some years ago.
Bob is quite old now and has difficulty hearing. He is always in a good mood and up for some fun, but enjoys his naps on the porch more and more. He has a rare appetite for apples, carrots, parsnips and raw potatoes.
Annie is very quiet and gentle and accompanies us wherever we go.
Bob is quite old now and has difficulty hearing. He is always in a good mood and up for some fun, but enjoys his naps on the porch more and more. He has a rare appetite for apples, carrots, parsnips and raw potatoes.
Annie is very quiet and gentle and accompanies us wherever we go.
SNOWBALL
Snowball is our almost completely white rabbit. She is extremely soft and fluffy and loves to be fed treats.
Volunteer helpers
In some sessions, if necessary, helpers will join us, to assist with mounting and leading and to walk along the side of the horse, to ensure the rider's comfort and safety.
Our helpers are also all fully trained and vetted.
Our helpers are also all fully trained and vetted.
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Text and Images: Copyright Sandra Schmid 2016
