What We Do

Our flagship provision: Therapeutic Horsemanship can be offered on either a 1-1 or small group basis (normally up to 4, although bespoke courses can be arranged on request). On sessions participants learn about horse care and horse behaviour within a positive learning, non-judgemental and safe environment. Our equine activities have been developed specifically to build self-confidence and self-esteem and support young people to develop communication skills, teamwork, responsibility, empathy for others and resilience.

Similar to Therapeutic Horsemanship but with other animals including a dog, cat, chickens and goats.

These are 1-1 therapy/counselling sessions for those who find traditional talk-based office therapy difficult, so especially well-suited for young people who may have struggled to engage with CAMHS for example. Through building positive relationships and attachments with horses, participants then start to build a relationship with the therapist. By working with horses through projection and metaphor participants are able to start to open up about their own emotions and life experiences, so begin the therapeutic process. Horses also offer valuable opportunity for positive tactile experience, something missing for many young people in foster care with trauma backgrounds.

*Our unique equine-based mindfulness approach where participants can be introduced to basic mindfulness exercises within an equine-framework such as walking mindfulness exercises with the horses. We also offer an introduction to our Equine-Based Mindfulness practice as a course for professionals and others interested in this approach.

We offer a range of animal-assisted and equine-assisted learning sessions for young people who struggle in traditional education settings.

The British Horse Society Changing Lives through Horses programme is an ideal first step course for young people prior to undertaking an accredited horse care course. Young people work through horse care based work books at their own pace receiving a BHS certificate at each stage.

OCN London Level 1 Certificate in Animal Care accredited course which we offer as an OCN London accredited centre. This is an ideal course for young people who struggle in a busier formal education environment. Students are enrolled with OCN with all teaching undertaken at Sirona. The Certificate is a full academic year but students can enrol on each level of the course in separate stages, i.e, the Award, taking approximately 1 full term, then the Certificate taking a further 2 full terms. 

Bespoke educationally based sessions tailored to the needs of the young person. Sessions involve all aspects of horse care and management whilst incorporating numeracy and literacy skills that happen naturally as part of horse management, such as weighing and measuring feeds and writing an exercise plan for example. The young person is also supported in gaining key life skills such as communication, team work and responsibility to help them successfully re-engage with education and/or employment. These sessions can be 1-1 or small group sessions (normally up to 4, although bespoke courses can be arranged on request).

For young people aged 14-25 years, preparing for the future and gaining skills for employment. Small group equine and animal care sessions for young people to gain life skills and experience of team work in a small, safe and friendly setting. Tuesday afternoons 1:30pm to 4pm. Activities include; feeding the animals, cleaning the stables, field maintenance, pony walks and fun! Horse Works Information Leaflet

These are small group sessions incorporating a mixture of horse based and horse care activities for over 18’s with support needs such as learning disability or mental health issues. Activities include mucking out the stables and fields, making feeds and walking ponies out in nature. Depending on level of support needs participants may need to be accompanied by their support worker. Download information leaflet here.

A vocational programme for young people who have graduated from our therapeutic or educational sessions and are able to move on to working in a small group to further develop their equestrian, employability and team skills. Young people receive support to build their CVs and prepare them for a career in equine or animal care.

We run courses for professionals and those interested in the field of equine-assisted activities. Our courses include; An introduction to Equine-Assisted Interactions: the Sirona approach, Equine Welfare in Equine-Assisted Interactions: the Sirona approach, Equine-Based Mindfulness, Equi-Drama therapy, and a new planned Foraging for Horses and Humans course. We also offer 1-1 consultancy half days.

This can take the form of traditional counselling in our Tiny Home, walk and talk therapy, or sitting outside in nature. There is the opportunity to observe the horses and other animals as well, but this session doesn’t involve direct contact or activities with the horses.

Groups for young people aged 8 – 18 during the school holidays (August). Activities include; caring for the animals, arts & crafts, field and yard tasks and horticulture.  Donation based. Booking essential. August 24 Holiday Sessions

Sirona offers Nature-Based Activities with our qualified Forest School Leader as an additional intervention to support young people who would benefit from an alternative to our standard Equine-Facilitated Interventions. Young people with additional challenges such as ADHD, Autistic Spectrum, mental health and emotional/behavioural struggles may further benefit from time spent in nature as a way of improving their mental health, concentration, calmness and physical health. Nature-Based Activities Pilot Project Report.

Sirona has a clinical child psychologist on the team (20 years experience at CAMHS) who offers specialist family therapy as well as 1-1 work with children and young people. As well as family work, Jane is also trained in Theraplay, which works really well alongside our equine-assisted approach, which is also informed by play therapy.