Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get asked about our equine assisted therapy sessions at Equilore.
Do I need to be experienced around horses to take part?
No, you do not need any experience with horses to be able to benefit from the equine assisted therapy sessions. In a way, it makes it better if you haven’t been around horses as you will not have any preconceptions about what their behaviour may mean. Therefore, it makes you more open to the individual learning experience. However, if you do have previous experience with horses it is still possible to fully benefit from the sessions as you do not know the horses you will be working with.
Can I have Equine Facilitated Learning / Psychotherapy (EFL/P) with my own horse?
Unfortunately, you will not be able to bring your own horse to the sessions, as a temporary new arrival will upset the herd dynamic. If you want to do EFL/P for confidence in your own riding, we can arrange with you for Loes to travel to your yard and work with you in this location. In addition, several sessions could be useful to help increase the bond you have with your horse and increase your confidence by working with you and your horse.
I am a rider and have lost my confidence, will EFL/ P help?
Riders who have lost confidence may want to work with their own horses. As listed above arrangements can be made for Loes to travel to your location to work specifically with you and your horse on issues such as relationships, boundaries and trust.
Are the horses at Equilore safe to work with?
The horses at Equilore are domesticated horses and they are kept as naturally as possible. They are used to doing this type of work and are sensitive to the client’s needs. However, horses are naturally prey animals and if they feel threatened or scared they may react unpredictably. All our practitioners are trained to take you through a safety briefing prior to working with the horses. In the briefing, they will teach you the warning signs a horse will usually give. Our practitioners will always closely monitor your safety around the horses and may remind you of what is safe and what isn’t throughout the session.
If you’d like to learn more about our herd, visit our Sponsor a Horse page.
What if I am scared of horses?
Some clients who haven’t had much previous experience with horses can be a little intimidated by the size of them. This is not a problem for the EFL/P sessions as we spend plenty of time for you to get comfortable around the horses. We can work with the horses from the other side of a fence, so you do not need to be physically close to them. The focus lies on interaction and communication with the horses. Most clients feel comfortable leading the horses around the yard within the first session.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting a little dirty. We will always work with the horses outdoors so, especially during the colder times of year, ensure you will be warm enough. Solid footwear or wellies are compulsory. As the sessions do not involve riding wearing a riding hat is not compulsory. However, if you feel more comfortable wearing a hat around the horses you are very welcome to bring one or use one from the Equilore yard.
Will my session still be on if the weather is bad?
Yes, your session will most likely still continue if the weather is bad. Our founder likes to use the saying “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”! In extreme weather conditions, such as heavy snow or storms, we may have to postpone the session. If this is the case, we will contact you prior to your session.
I need to reschedule my session
We have a 48 hour cancellation policy. Any appointments cancelled within 48 hours will be charged.
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