Which horse has taught you the most patience? I think it's a fair bet to say it wasn't the most straightforward, or easy horse you've ever met! 😂

What small moment with a horse or other 4-legged friend made you smile recently?

We're here because equine-assisted work is powerful and needs to be treated with care and respect.. Over the years, many of us have felt drawn toward working with horses and people together…and just as many of us have noticed how easily this work can drift away from horse welfare, clear scope, and ethical practice. Egos get in the way of integrity! This community was created as a grounded, thoughtful space for experienced horse people who want to explore equine-assisted personal development without rushing, over-reaching, or cutting corners. It exists to: - slow the work down - centre the horse as a co-facilitator, not a tool - prioritise consent, safety, and nervous-system awareness - encourage reflection before action - support learning without pressure to perform You won’t find hype, shortcuts, or random 'just try this activity' advice here. What you will find is shared language and frameworks, honest conversations about common mistakes, a safe space to ask good questions, and most importantly, deep respect and appreciation for horses. This is a community for people who care deeply about horses and want to learn more about how they can help us become better humans. If that feels like your kind of place, you’re exactly where you need to be, and we're looking forward to getting to know you. QUESTION: What does ethical equine-assisted work mean to you?

Every now and then there's an article in the press or a segment on TV that opens the floodgates of people asking about our Therapeutic Horse-riding services. While we are delighted that the word is spreading about the amazing and multiple ways that being with horses can benefit children and adults with a range of physical, intellectual, mental heath and other challenges, we have a duty of care to be honest about possible outcomes. Parents regularly find us as a last resort, desperate for something to hold their child's interest, and we are upfront about the fact that we may not be able to provide the solution they're seeking. We created this Managing Expectations piece that we now include in the early stages of correspondence with a prospective new client. It has helped us to establish clear boundaries and prevent parents and children thinking that horses are an instant cure-all! You are welcome to copy and edit it to suit your own needs. We've learned a LOT since 2014 - most of the hard way - and we're always happy to share so don't be shy about asking. 🙂 MANAGING EXPECTATIONS Please, do not expect instant results when you bring your child to Horses Connect! There has been a lot of media coverage recently about how horses can help people, especially children on the autistic spectrum. It’s really important to know that there is science behind the effects of being in the presence of horses. It’s not magic. It’s not instant. And it’s not for everyone. Just like football, swimming or any other activity, horse-riding will not be a good fit for every child. We see little miracles - that are actually huge milestones - on a daily basis. A first word, eye contact, or initiating an activity – but these little miracles usually happen after weeks, months or even years of consistent work. So don’t be disappointed if your child doesn’t want to get up on the pony, or is more interested in playing with the sand! We have years of experience, and will do our best to encourage your child to ride, but it may not happen!

Most of us here are longtime passionate horse lovers 😊 It’s not possible to hang around with horses and not learn a thing or two - or gazillions - about Life, The Universe, and Everything, including horses 😊 If you could give your younger self one piece of wisdom, what would it be?