TheHorseCourse is a world leader in well-evidenced high impact equine-assisted interventions. Having started in prisons, we now run a busy community-based HQ in Weymouth, Dorset, UK – an area of high deprivation. Employing 6 facilitators and 14 horses, we work with young people from 8yrs old, families and adults. In Dorset we help over 600 people with complex challenges and needs each year, and we do not charge the participants – our funding comes from a mix of commissioning and charitable grants/donations. We also provide Alternative Provision for young people out of education, accredited qualifications, and supported volunteering through our Working Wellies project. Our Non-verbals Toolbox training is a unique approach to emotions and relationships which we offer to professionals and the public on zoom or in workshops.
We train and assess others to replicate our programmes and we work hard to support them in setting up their own centres around the UK. Independent centres running our programmes are becoming increasingly busy and more are opening. We monitor their impact data to ensure they are as effective as we are, and provide ongoing training.
We hold an Animal Activity Licence from Dorset Council, No: 8060, licence holder: Harriet Laurie. We also maintain Social Farms & Gardens Green Care Quality Mark and the Charity Excellence Framework Quality Mark.
"this can significantly reduce the likelihood of exclusion from school"
"If you saw me and then saw me how I’d changed now, you would think I was a different person"
"Wow!! This year 100% of the NEETS that have accessed the TheHorseCourse have then enrolled at College. Thank you is not enough."
"Teaches life skills such as responsibility, control, self esteem and a sense of necessity"
"Students have to take control of the situation, be effective... that is huge"
"TheHorseCourse punches way above its weight"
"TheHorseCourse has totally turned my life, and to be brutally honest, my feelings about living, around"
"a growing world-wide reputation for helping when traditional approaches have failed."
"TheHorseCourse has succeeded in getting through to some of the most difficult and disruptive Young Offenders..."
"81% make positive changes in the eight core skills taught on the course"
"Seeing these kids getting a horse to do something for them simply by controlling their own moods is incredible"
"feedback from such a massive and beautiful animal feels like a gift rather than a criticism or a threat"
[Video undergoing an edit May 2023 - apologies] This 4 minute video shows our flagship ReStart programme in action. When talk-based support is not working, we teach, rehearse and repeat key psycho social skills in an intensive and challenging, but fun, 5 day programme with feedback in-the-moment from specially trained horses and 1-to-1 facilitator support.
To contact our Weymouth HQ or any of our approved facilitators and centres, visit the contacts page.
Numerous external studies and evaluations of TheHorseCourse method shows that we have huge impact on measurable outcomes for both young people and adults, making us world leaders in the field of action-based interventions. See published studies, videos, and presentations of hard data, efficacy, bio-phys, service user perspectives, and more.
With Bournemouth University we are working towards a Virtual Reality version of TheHorseCourse ReStart that would use the player's neuro-physiology signals to drive the interactions with the virtual horses. This project has potential for mass reach, to combat the epidemic of mental health difficulties, particularly amongst young people.
Read more about this project on the Evidence page, or email if you have an interest in partnering/supporting.
Regular 1.5-2 hour workshop, in person and online, for public and professionals on reading body language and managing difficult emotions in yourself and others. We specialise in non-verbal strategies to move behaviour from red to green, a game-changer for teens, adults, parents/carers and professionals.
Book on eventbrite, or to arrange a group session for your school or organisation email or call 01305 819669.
Creative England/Wellcome Trust/NHS Create Open Health 2019
Royal College of Psychiatry Annual General Conference (2 prizes) 2018
FSI Small Charity BIG Impact, Regional Section Winner 2017
Dorset County Council Innovation Award 2016
School for Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship 2016
BIG Lottery Peoples Project 2016
Shortlisted for the Guardian Small Charity Awards 2015
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship 2013
Shackleton Award 2011