Our Approach

researched and developed by the horse course, UK

We teach, rehearse, and repeat key resilience skills in an intensive and challenging, but fun way with feedback in-the-moment from specially trained horses. Tasks are guided by the facilitator and the horses are selected and trained to provide especially clear and easily observed physical feedback to participants.

Specifically, the skills addressed by the course are:

Assertiveness – able to be calmly assertive in a positive way without getting aggressive or upset

Focus and Perseverance – staying focused on and working towards goals despite setbacks

Taking Responsibility (Agency) – taking responsibility for our own thoughts, emotions, and actions

Realistic Analysis and Planning – Slopping to think before acting, making a realistic assessment of situations and planning accordingly

Calmness – having the habit of calmness and knowing how to create it in difficult situations

Empathy (Relating to Others) – seeing the needs of others, offering care and support, feeling closely connected

Communication & Language – two-way, respectful, assertive communication, having language to talk about thinking and emotions.

Engagement (Confidence as a Learner) – enthusiastically taking on new challenges, pushing limits whilst also taking care of own confidence

Complete research and evidence can be found at

thehorsecourse.org/evidence