Confidence building for children and young people

Intuitive Horse is based at New Coghurst Farm near Hastings, East Sussex. It is a family run farm – hay making, sheep grazing and the Intuitive Horse work make up daily life at the farm.
 
Intuitive Horse is Equine Assisted Personal Development and was developed through a combination of Emma’s (owner and founder) own personal development and awareness gained in how her behaviours, mind beliefs and emotions were affecting the relationship she had with her horses, as well as years of experience working with horses and teaching people how to ride. She observed that a horse’s behaviour would change from person to person and that the horse tended to respond directly to a person’s emotional state, regardless of riding ability. For example, when a horse is ‘acting up’ and appears to be naughty it is more than likely responding to the feelings/behaviours of its’ rider (or else expressing discomfort) and much like an infant who can’t speak it makes its’ behaviour louder to get our attention. 
 
Having witnessed the positive impact horses can have on someone’s life Emma sought to provide a stimulating learning experience for others and now offers a range of Intuitive Horse programmes including private one-on-one sessions, workshops and 3-day retreats. All work with the horses is done from the ground (no riding is involved) so absolutely no previous experience with horses is necessary and people with fears of horses are welcome.
 
Most of the horses that live at Intuitive Horse initially came for some form of rehabilitation. This was often after all other avenues of care and treatment had been exhausted. However they got there, they’re all doing well and now have a permanent residency at Intuitive Horse where they work with people on many different levels. None of the horses are ridden or over-worked and all have a special programme which ensures their needs are met at all times.
Intuitive Horse is home to 15 horses who live out as a herd all year round in a natural environment; they are all bare foot and don’t wear rugs, allowing them to live as nature intended.
 
The next 3-day retreats are to be held on 28th – 30th September, 5th – 7th October and 2nd – 4th November. 1-1 sessions are offered throughout the year.
 
Looked After Children and Young People with Horses
Intuitive Horse is currently running a project With East Sussex Foster Care Association – ESFCA – which is being funded by The Lottery. The project involves Looked After Children attending 6 sessions individually to help the young person. Depending on their needs the horses help them explore areas such as confidence building, emotional awareness, impulse control, building trust in relationships, learning how to calm themselves, developing empathy and overcoming fears.
 
Separate to the project with ESFCA, Intuitive Horse has been lucky enough to secure a small amount of funding to work with Looked After Children or young people from a disadvantaged background, and offer them the same experience as described above with ESFCA for 6 sessions. Each young person will need to be accompanied by a carer at all times during their sessions. To apply for an application form please email us at info @intuitivehorse.co.uk
 
Intuitive Horse – ‘seeing you for who you really are’