Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship celebrates a Royal presentation…

…and funding from the Pets Foundation: Young Lives Transformed through Equine and Animal-Assisted Interactions

Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship enjoyed a moment in the spotlight recently at the British Horse Society’s Changing Lives through Horses showcase event at Saddlers Hall in London. Sirona was honoured to be invited to present on its transformative work alongside distinguished guests, including HRH Princess Anne and actor and president of the BHS, Martin Clunes.

At the event, Sirona’s Education Coordinator, Kirsty Bowles, and Chair of Trustees, Sarah Urwin, highlighted the remarkable journey of a young participant who had been out of school for three years. Kirsty explained how, “with the help of Sirona’s therapeutic horsemanship sessions, this participant regained confidence, stability, and trust in himself and others. This progress led him to join the Changing Lives through Horses programme, where he built the skills and self-belief to successfully complete a Level 1 qualification in horse care. Today, he is continuing his education with a Level 2 course at a local agricultural college, a testament to the lasting impact of Sirona’s supportive and healing environment. We are so proud of this young person, and all the young people who attend Sirona who show us such astonishing capacity to overcome adverse childhood experiences and go on to have successful lives through the power of being with horses”.

Sirona is also very grateful to the Pets Foundation for their recent grant of £27,252 towards equine and animal-assisted sessions for vulnerable young people at Sirona. This funding will enable Sirona to provide sessions to low-income families and those young people who fall through the net of statutory funding. Sirona CEO, Dr Hannah Burgon said, “We continue to be humbled every day by the power of being with horses (and all the other animals!) to help disengaged young people who are struggling with their mental health or other challenges. Working alongside horses and other animals in the great outdoors is the perfect backdrop to creating real and lasting positive relationships and experiences. Through creating a ‘safe space’ by initially building positive relationships with animals, and being outside in nature, it becomes possible for young people to build positive relationships with the practitioners at Sirona, and so trust and positive change can begin. Many young people tell us how being at Sirona with the animals helps them feel calm, and others how they learn new ways of managing their emotions with some recent feedback as follows;

“I feel calmer as if I am part of the herd. We walk in unison and sometimes a headcollar and leadrope isn’t necessary. We just walk as a strong herd.”

“It gives me motivation to get through the week. It’s really nice when you stroke the animals, because they are so calm. I have ADHD so I’m really hyperactive and all over the place, so they help me to calm down and not be so crazy.”

“Working with sensitive animals you need to have stability in yourself. Horses might react in a negative way if you shouted – they are prey animals. So you have to be really gentle. I’ve realised I have to be calmer. If I was angry it may change the horse’s behaviour so I have to be calm. It’s made me happier.”

To reflect on these successes the charity invites the public to its Christmas Open Event on December 19th, 12pm-2pm at their centre on the Dartington Hall estate, Totnes. This festive event is free to attend, with tickets available via Eventbrite, and will offer a chance to meet Sirona’s rescue ponies, shop for holiday gifts, and enjoy seasonal refreshments. This event also marks the launch of the charity’s redesigned Sponsor a Pony scheme and new website (thank you to Charlie at Falcon Digital). Sponsoring a Sirona pony makes an ideal Christmas gift with sponsors receiving several perks such as a personal annual visit to see their sponsored pony and up to £20 in gift vouchers kindly donated by Redpost Equestrian.

For more information on the range of activities on offer at Sirona contact 01803 868779, or info@sironaequine.org.uk  and the website is www.sironaequine.org.uk