Children and teachers from five Gloucestershire schools have returned to Hartpury University and Hartpury College to experience the benefits of equine-assisted learning. The hands-on workshops are delivered by HorseBack UK in partnership with Hartpury, and funded by the Anne Duchess of Westminster’s Fund – who also supported the successful pilot completed in March 2023.
Children from Holmleigh Park High School, Severn Vale School, Pittville School, Bettridge School, and The Peak Academy are all engaged with the programme, with each school receiving a total of four sessions.
HorseBack UK promotes contact with horses as a means of personal and professional development, focusing on non-riding activities such as ground skills, observation and problem solving. Originally founded to help military veterans transition to civilian life, HorseBack UK expanded its work to include the Schools Development Programme in 2023.
The programme is designed to teach individuals new skills, develop interpersonal communication, and build self-confidence. Horses are chosen because they are highly sensitive animals that respond to human body language and emotions. By working with horses, individuals can learn to regulate and control their emotions, develop empathy and build trust.
Horses, ponies and student volunteers are provided by Hartpury Equine, offering plenty of mutual benefits for Hartpury students too, who develop their own coaching and communication skills as they work with the children.
Phillip Cheetham, Equine Director at Hartpury said: “It’s always a privilege to welcome Horseback UK and the children and teachers from local schools to Hartpury Equine. We never tire of seeing the transformation in these children during the sessions, as they grow in confidence whilst working with our incredible horses and ponies.
“It’s rewarding for us to be able to utilise our industry partnerships in this way and to share our facilities and lovely horses for the benefit of these young people.”
Hartpury horses proved a hit with teachers and children alike with Perry, Acorn, Bilberry, Sandstone, Brian, Bob, Usher and Ice all taking part this time.
Human-Animal Interaction at Hartpury
Human-animal interaction remains a key part of Hartpury University’s Animal and Equine degrees and the institution is active in its research exploring the benefits, ethics and other considerations around the partnership.
Hartpury University will host the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Conference at its Gloucestershire campus from 27-30 June 2024. The theme is ‘Watch and Learn: The value of observing and being with animals’ with a vision to explore and bring greater awareness of the value of observation to both human and animal wellbeing.
