Hartpury University Collaboration

We’re pleased to work closely with Hartpury University in Gloucestershire to offer internships, learning sessions and careers advice to its students. We also provide workshop days for students once a year as part of their master’s course programme in Animal Assisted Counselling and Psychotherapy.  

On their latest visit the students and their lecturer spent three days in Devon exploring Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, observing Dartmoor ponies and attending a special workshop at Coombe Park Equestrian and Education Centre on their final day.  

The goal of ‘Working ethically with horses and humans, the Mare and Foal Sanctuary approach’ was to provide a day-long experiential workshop, sharing the realities of working with animals in an ethical and safe way.  

The day included a mix of equine learning theory, sharing our equine centred approach to providing equine assisted services, and practical activities including an equine assisted learning session with three of our rescued ponies, Tufty, Toptails and Peregrine. 

The workshop was received well, and we were delighted to get some great feedback: 

‘The highlight was the blend of taught sessions and activities with and without horses’ 

 ‘My highlight was the flexibility in the way the facilitator responded to the animal’s behaviour to make changes with the session goals in mind.  Wonderful experience!’ 

‘I felt privileged that the horses allowed us to be in their space.’ 

We look forward to continuing this valued partnership and offering educational opportunities to many more groups, institutions and individuals.