Absolutely. Safety is my number one priority, always. Our horses – Snowy, Wally, Wilma, and Socks – have been carefully chosen for their gentle, calm temperaments. They’re well used to working with children of all ages and abilities. I’m always right there with your child, and no session ever happens without my direct supervision. Your child’s safety comes before everything else.
Not at all. This isn’t a riding school. however, we do activities on the horses, depends on your child ability. We also do things like grooming, leading, and simply being around the horses. Your child doesn’t need any experience with horses whatsoever.
That happens more often than you’d think, and it’s absolutely fine. We take it at your child’s pace, always. Some children spend the first session just watching the horses from a distance, and that’s perfectly okay. There’s never any pressure. I’ve seen children who were terrified at the start go on to have the most incredible breakthroughs. We let them lead the way.
That depends on your child and what they need on the day. Each horse has their own personality. Snowy is wonderfully calm and patient – brilliant for children who need gentle reassurance. Socks is great with children who need a confidence boost. I'll match your child with whichever horse is the best fit, and sometimes that changes session to session, which is all part of the process.
The horses’ wellbeing is just as important to me as your child’s. They’re never overworked – they have plenty of rest time, proper care, and they’re free to move about in the sessions. If a horse isn’t in the mood to work on a particular day, we don’t force it. That’s actually a great teaching moment for the children too – learning to read and respect an animal’s boundaries.
I completely understand that worry. Our horses are specifically chosen because they’re calm, patient, and well-socialised around children. I’m always within arm’s reach during every session, guiding your child on how to approach and interact safely. We go through everything together before your child goes near a horse. In all my time doing this, I’ve never had an incident.
They really do. Horses are incredibly social animals and they genuinely respond to children. You’ll often see our horses walk over to greet a child before the session even starts. They’re not forced into anything – the connection is mutual. That’s what makes this work so powerful.
If your child has allergies, let me know before the first session and we can discuss it. Some children with mild allergies do fine outdoors around horses, but it really depends on the individual. I’d always recommend checking with your GP first, and we can take it from there. I’d rather know in advance so we can plan properly.
I work with children from around age 5 upwards, right through to teenagers. Each session is tailored to your child's age and stage, so what we do with a 5-year-old looks very different from what we do with a 13-year-old. It's never a one-size-fits-all approach.
Many parents come to me because their child is struggling with anxiety, and it’s one of the areas where I see the biggest changes. There’s something about being around horses that naturally calms children down. Parents regularly tell me their child is noticeably calmer after just three or four sessions. It’s not a magic fix, but the results speak for themselves.
Yes, and it's actually one of the most common reasons parents get in touch. The sessions are completely flexible and led by your child. There's no pressure to talk, no classroom setting, no expectations to sit still. The horses don't judge, and children on the spectrum often find that incredibly freeing. I'm also a qualified BHS Coach, so I understand the challenges your child faces.
You’d be surprised. Children who struggle to sit still in a classroom often focus beautifully around horses. There’s something about the outdoors and the physical nature of the activities that just clicks for them. We’re not asking your child to sit and listen – they’re moving, doing, and connecting. That’s when the real learning happens.
Of course. You don’t need a diagnosis, a referral, or any paperwork. If your child is going through a tough time – whether that’s struggling at school, finding it hard to make friends, dealing with a family change, or just seems a bit lost – the sessions can help. You know your child better than anyone, and if your gut is telling you they need something, that’s enough.
Every child is different, so I won’t make promises I can’t keep. What I can tell you is that most parents notice changes within the first few weeks. Common things I hear: “she’s calmer at home,” “he’s actually talking about his feelings now,” “she went to school without a meltdown this morning.” The changes are often small at first, but they build up.
Depending on the nature of the disability, yes. Everything happens on the ground, so there’s no riding involved. Get in touch with me directly and we can have a chat about your child’s specific needs. I’ll always be upfront about whether I think I can help or whether a different service might be a better fit.
No. Everything that happens in our sessions stays between us. I don’t share anything about your child without your written permission. If you’d like me to liaise with your child’s school or therapist, I’m happy to do that, but only if you ask me to. Confidentiality is something I take very seriously.
Every session is different because every child is different. Generally, your child will spend time grooming, leading, or just being around the horses. There might be activities like obstacle courses or games, but nothing is forced. I follow your child’s lead and adapt as we go. The horses do a lot of the work – they’re incredibly intuitive and respond to how your child is feeling.
Standard sessions are 30 minutes. That might sound short, but trust me, it’s plenty. Children get a lot out of a focused 30 minutes, and it’s enough time for real connection without your child getting tired or overwhelmed. Discovery Sessions for new clients are 60 minutes, which gives us more time to get to know each other.
I'm not a therapist and this isn't therapy in the clinical sense. I'm a qualified Equimotional Wellbeing Coach and BHS Coach, so I understand children's needs from a practical, hands-on perspective. What I offer is a safe space where children can build confidence, learn to manage their emotions, and develop life skills – all through working with horses. Many families use this alongside other supports like counselling or OT.
It’s entirely up to you and what works best for your child. Some parents prefer to stay and watch, others find their child does better when they’re not there. For younger children, I’d usually suggest staying close by for the first session or two. We’ll figure out what works as we go.
That’s completely fine and it happens. Some days your child might just want to sit near the horses and not do much. That’s still a session – and honestly, sometimes those are the most important ones. There’s no checklist to get through. We go at your child’s pace, always.
I’d recommend weekly sessions to start with, as that’s where you’ll see the most consistent progress. But I know that’s not always possible with schedules and budgets, so we can work something out that suits your family. Even fortnightly sessions can make a real difference.
There's no set number – it really depends on your child and what they're working through. Some families come for a few months, others stay longer. I'd usually suggest starting with the Six-Week Foundation Programme so we can see how your child responds, and then we take it from there. There's never any lock-in or commitment beyond what suits you.
Nothing fancy. Warm, comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit mudy. Wellies or sturdy boots are a must – no open-toed shoes. A waterproof jacket is handy since we’re outdoors. Basically, dress them the way you would for a day out on a farm.
No referral needed at all. You can book directly with me. Many parents come to me because they’re tired of waiting lists and just want to do something now. Of course, if you have been referred by a professional, that’s grand too.
It’s a 60-minute introductory session for new families. It gives your child a chance to meet the horses, explore the space, and get comfortable – with no pressure. It also gives me a chance to get to know your child and understand what they need. It’s the best way to see if this is a good fit before committing to anything.
The first visit is really about your child settling in. We’ll start gently – meeting the horses, having a look around, and seeing what your child is drawn to. I’ll chat with you beforehand about your child’s needs and any concerns you have. There’s zero pressure. If your child just wants to stand and watch the horses eat grass for 30 minutes, that’s perfectly fine.
Of course. You’re welcome to pop out for a look around and meet the horses. Just send me a message to arrange a time. I’d actually encourage it – it helps to see the space and get a feel for things, especially if your child is a bit nervous.
I’d recommend booking at least a few days ahead, as spots fill up. That said, if you need something at short notice, get in touch and I’ll do my best to fit you in. I try to be as flexible as possible because I know life with kids doesn’t always go to plan.
Sometimes, yes, depending on the time of year. Because I keep things small and personal, I can only take a limited number of clients. If there is a wait, I’ll be upfront about it and can put you on the list. It’s usually not more than a couple of weeks.
We're based in Kilmore, Co. Clare – right on the border between Limerick and Co. Clare. It's a lovely, quiet spot in the countryside, which is part of what makes it work. I'll send you full directions and a pin when you book.
We’re in Ireland – if we cancelled every time it rained, we’d never have sessions! We go ahead in light rain. If the weather is really bad (heavy rain, storms, or unsafe conditions), I’ll be in touch to reschedule. That said, a lot of children actually love being out in a bit of drizzle with the horses.
Yes, there’s plenty of space to park right at the property. You won’t be walking far, which is handy if you’ve got younger siblings or buggies with you.
You can, but I’d ask that they’re supervised at all times and kept away from the horses during the session. The session is your child’s time, and it works best when they have that space without distractions. If it’s tricky with childcare, let me know and we’ll figure something out.