LIVING TOGETHER

Animal-assisted therapy with horses

Interaction as equals and the inclusion of people with disabilities are an important part of the social projects supported by Hörmann. Founded by two occupational therapists, the non-profit organisation called “Tierische Begleiter” (Animal Companions) focuses on encouraging encounters between people and horses in an inclusive way. Horses are considered to be very assured creatures and, as such, respond to behaviour demonstrated without judgement. This makes them ideally suited to animal-assisted therapy. During a two-day pilot workshop, the participants – people both with and without disabilities – were able to learn a lot about themselves, but also about wordless communication and teamwork. After receiving consistently positive feedback, further workshops are being planned.

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Animal-assisted therapy with horses

Participants can learn a lot about wordless communication through animal-assisted work with horses.

The aim of animal-assisted therapy is to encourage encounters between people and animals in an inclusive way. A farm in Ummeln, a district of Bielefeld, is home to lots of animals: Inquisitive chickens, roosters crowing in competition, floppy-eared rabbits, watchful dogs, cuddly sheep and even friendly ponies and good-natured horses. It is the latter in particular that the highly dedicated founders of “Tierische Begleiter” use in their animal-assisted therapy. Because horses are very assured creatures and have an extremely precise perception of their environment, they respond directly to their human counterpart and to the behaviour they demonstrate without judgement. This makes previously concealed and unconscious behaviour visible and teaches participants a great deal about wordless communication. Ms Sonnenberg-Steele and Ms Murphy, founders of “Tierische Begleiter” and both occupational therapists, contributed a wealth of experience and sincere feeling to the inclusive pilot workshop held during the first weekend of September 2023.

Interacting as equals: Encounters between animals and humans

At the beginning of the workshop, the participants get to know the horses and learn everything there is to know about handling them.

A relationship between an animal and a human being is built on communication and trust. Interacting with a horse as an equal requires the person to engage and respond to the needs of their counterpart, but also to stand their ground and assert themselves. Working with horses, then, fosters the development of a person's competence, and also reinforces their feeling of self-perception and belief. At the same time, they can learn a lot about themselves and others.
Coming face-to-face and working with horses starts with the basics, where the first attempts at communication and relationship building between human and animal are made. The participants use a range of possibilities for movement, play and action while working in-hand to learn to express themselves through body language and to understand their animal counterparts through their manner of expression. The horse gives direct non-judgemental feedback on the actions, paving the way for an experience of self-belief. New experiences with proximity and distance can be gained in a playful setting. Other important aspects of working in-hand are social skills, as well as taking and giving back the lead.

The pilot workshop was a great success

A final workshop highlight: The participants were led around the paddock on horseback.

At the pilot workshop in early September 2023, eight participants with and without experience worked in-hand with ponies and horses in the best late summer weather. “Work”, though, is not quite the right word when so much fun had been shared. After two exciting days of working in-hand in the arena, walking out and in the hall, a final highlight for all participants was being led a few times around the paddock on horseback. The workshop gave all participants a lot of pleasure. More workshops are already being planned. Because the workshop teaches the basics of working in-hand, no previous knowledge of handling horses is required to attend the weekend workshop.