Events
UPCOMING EVENTS AND COURSES
19th December 2024
Christmas Open Event - FULLY BOOKED
Join us for Sirona’s Christmas Open Event! 
Introduction to Equine-Assisted Interactions: The Sirona Approach
Perfect for those wishing to start or develop an equine-assisted practice or just learn more about the work we do, this popular course is open to the public and aims to give participants an overview of Sirona’s approach to providing Equine & Animal-Assisted Activities. CPD certificate of participation. The course covers:
- How Equine & Animal-Assisted Activities can help people
- Models / Session Types / Client Groups
- Safe Practice – including safeguarding & staffing
- Equine welfare & facility considerations
- Policies & Procedures / Insurance / Licencing etc
Sirona Open Day - Saturday 21st June 2025 11am to 3pm
Save the date! Our next annual summer open day will be on Saturday 21st June 2025. Join us for a fun day filled with demonstrations, stalls, games, raffle, cakes and refreshements. More details to follow.
PREVIOUS EVENTS AND COURSES
2024
OPEN INFORMATION MORNING
Thursday 17th October 2024 – 11am to 12pm
Visit Sirona and learn more about what we do and what we can offer to young people and adults with support needs. We will provide information about the various therapeutic and educational sessions we offer, including our new Horseworks group, and Level 1 certificate in Animal Care. This will be an opportunity for you to have a tour of our facilities, meet our herd of horses and other animals and to find out more about our referral process.
To book a free place email: [email protected] and specify which date.
SUMMER HOLIDAY ANIMAL & ART SESSIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – August 2024 – FULL
Tuesdays & Thursdays during August (1st to 22nd August) – 10am to 1pm. £45 per person*
* (Donation spaces available for those on benefits / low incomes)
We are offering small group holiday activity sessions this August for young people to have fun and learn at the same time. to care for and interact with animals. Activities include horse and animal care, ‘pony whispering’ (learning about horse psychology), horse shoe painting and arts & crafts. Booking essential and on a first come first served basis.
Tuesdays: Guide Dogs Young People Group (30th July, 6th, 13th & 20th August) – all full
Thursdays: Animal Care and Arts & Crafts (1st, 8th 15th & 22nd August) – all full
For further details and booking please telephone 01803 868779 or email [email protected].
Lucy Rees Lecture / Demo & Documentary Film Screening
Saturday 6th July 2024 10am to 4pm at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington. £165 per person.
We are so excited that writer, ethologist, horse trainer and Sirona Patron, Lucy Rees will be joining us on Saturday 6th July for a team training lecture / demo and screening of her new documentary on her herd of feral Pottoka ponies in Spain: Notes About Horses: The affiliative behaviour that eliminates the concept of dominance in equine social life. Because Lucy’s visits to England are rare we are opening up a LIMITED spaces to the public.
For further information and a booking form please email [email protected]. Return of completed application form and payment in full secures your space.
Accommodation on the Dartington Estate.
ANNUAL COMMUNITY OPEN DAY – Saturday 22nd June
Save the date in your diary for a fun-filled day for all the family. Come and join us between 11am and 3pm on Saturday 22nd June for demonstrations, arts and crafts, horse agility, fun games, stalls and raffle including; cash prizes, wine tasting experiences at Sandridge Barton (the home of Sharpham Wines), a 5 star afternoon tea experience to include free entry to the gardens and a champagne tea on the beautiful Dartington Estate, artwork crafted by local artist, Georgi Gilpin and restaurant vouchers. Refreshments and ice creams available.
Entry by donation. We are sorry but no dogs please.
Raising the Mini-Bar: Introduction to Playful Activities incorporating Scentwork and Calming Signals into Equine Invited Interventions
One day CPD course; Tuesday 28th May 2024 10am to 4pm
at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington. £165 per person.
We are excited to welcome the internationally renowned practitioner and author of the book ‘Animal-Assisted Play Therapy’, Tracie Faa-Thompson for a one-day workshop at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship in May. This is a small group team training for which we are offering a very limited number of spaces to the public. Click here for info leaflet.
Enquiries & Booking: Please email [email protected] – Please reference ‘Tracie Faa-Thompson’ in the subject line.
Introduction to Equine-Assisted Interactions: The Sirona Approach
One day CPD course; Saturday 11th May 2024 10am to 4pm
at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington. £165 per person.
An overview of Sirona’s approach to equine & animal-assisted activities, for practitioners wishing to develop their practice or for people wanting to learn more about equine and animal- assisted interactions. Click here for info leaflet.
“I enjoyed a fantastic day of teaching by Sarah Urwin and her team and learning all about Equine Assisted Services and Interventions at Sirona in Totnes. I love their approach in prioritising animal welfare and their unique way of working with a multitude of clients. All I need now is to find some horses to work with.” – May 2024 course participant.
“Overall an excellent introduction to EAI. Comprehensive coverage of all the important subject areas. Loved the section on horse welfare, choices and how to support horses in this area. ……….Liked the honesty about the pitfalls and difficulties about setting up a business.”- March 2023 course participant.
Equine Welfare in Equine-Assisted Interactions: The Sirona Approach – Sorry, course now full
(We will now start a waiting list for the next course, please do contact us if you would like to be added)
One day CPD course; Saturday 23rd September 2023 10am to 4pm at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington.
An overview of Sirona’s model of welfare for horses in the field of EAI, for those involved in Equine-Assisted Interactions or similar work and for people with a general interest in equine welfare.
“Thank you so much for providing such a great CPD on Saturday. I really enjoyed the day and what you have built at Sirona is so inspiring.” – Sept 22 course participant
Enquiries & Booking: Please email [email protected] – Please reference ‘Equine Welfare in EAI Course’ in the subject line.
Accommodation on the Dartington Estate.
ANIMAL ACTIVE – August 2023
Tuesdays & Thursdays during August (1st to 24th August) – 10am to 1pm
We are offering small group holiday activity sessions this August for young people to have fun and learn to care for and interact with animals. There are also art based sessions on Thursday mornings with a local community artist. The sessions are for young people already attending Sirona and for those new to Sirona. Sessions run on Tuesday and Thursdays at 10am – 1pm. Booking essential and on a first come first served basis.
For further details and booking please telephone 01803 868779 or email [email protected].
Accommodation on the Dartington Estate.
Open Day – Saturday 1st July 2023
Save the date in your diary for a fun-filled day for all the family. Come and join us between 11am and 3pm for demonstrations on getting to know the acupressure point on your horse/dog with Yuki Itaya Okyu-Do, arts and crafts, horse agility, fun games, stalls, and raffle (prizes include a £250 voucher towards a holiday with Classic Cottages and wine tasting for 2 with Sandridge Barton). Catering and refreshments available.
South West Human Equine
Interaction Practitioners’ Regional Meeting – Saturday 25th March 2023 10am to 2pm – NOW FULL
Follow up with Kezia Sullivan on the Impact and Evaluation report – next steps.
Equine Assisted Welfare in EAS – Update on the work being carried out by various different committees / subcommittees .
Tour of Sirona with the focus on the design and layout of the site from an equine welfare perspective.
Short discussion on Polyvagal Theory and how Sirona use it in EAI sessions (Josie Arscott & Sarah Urwin)
Introduction to Equine-Assisted Interactions: The Sirona Approach
One day CPD course; Saturday 25th February 2023 10am to 4pm
at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington. £155 per person.
An overview of Sirona’s approach to equine & animal-assisted activities, for practitioners wishing to develop their practice or for people wanting to learn more about equine and animal- assisted interactions. Click here for info leaflet.
“Overall an excellent introduction to EAI. Comprehensive coverage of all the important subject areas. Loved the section on horse welfare, choices and how to support horses in this area. ……….Liked the honesty about the pitfalls and difficulties about setting up a business.”- March 2023 course participant.
“It was relevant for me to get such a coherent overview of ‘setting up’ a therapeutic centre. Excellent, v.informative, my brain is full!” – May 2022 participant.
Booking: Waiting list for 2024 now in operation. Email [email protected] for further information.
Accommodation on the Dartington Estate
HOLIDAY HELPERS
Tuesdays & Thursdays during August – 10am to 1pm
Groups for young people aged 8 – 18, with activities including; caring for the animals, arts & crafts, field and yard tasks and horticulture.
Suggested donation £10 – £20 but any amount accepted.
Booking is essential. For further details please email [email protected].
SIRONA OPEN DAY
SATURDAY 2nd JULY 2022 11am to 3pm
Come and join us! We are delighted to be able to welcome everyone back to Sirona again. Come and meet the horses and our dedicated team, see our new facilities and join in with lots of fun events. Pony agility demonstration with some of our young people and horses (1pm), Shiatsu for Horses demonstrations with Dr Yuki Itaya (12pm & 2pm), Bric-a-Brac and plant stalls, Two Birds Pizza, Cakes, Tea & Coffee. Raffle with top prize of £250 for Toad Hall Cottages.
Parking at Foxhole or Cider Press – Disabled parking at Sirona. Sorry, no dogs. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Accommodation on the Dartington Estate.
2020
An Introduction to Equine Assisted Learning – the Sirona Approach, 10th October 2020.- CANCELLED
Thank you to everyone who regisitered their interest in the course. We are endeavouring to contact all interested parties and to potentially run the course at a later date in a revised format. If you registered for the course please contact [email protected].
SIRONA OPEN DAY – SATURDAY 18th JULY 2020 – CANCELLED
We are disappointed and sorry to say that due to COVID-19 our open day this year has been cancelled. We do hope that we will be able to see you all next year.
Introduction to Environmental Arts Therapy with Susie Thompson – COURSE CANCELLED
Introductory Workshop; Saturday 21st March 2020 10am to 4pm
at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington. £110 per person.
An introductory workshop for anyone interested in developing a creative, therapeutic connection with the outside world.
Foraging Course – Horse & Human with Chris Hope – COURSE CANCELLED
Saturday 25th April 2020 10am to 2pm
at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington. £55 per person.
Learn about identifying plants relevant to horses and humans with Chris Hope from Wild Plant Guide. Accompanied by some of the horses from the Sirona herd we will be taking a foraging walk and gathering a salad to have for lunch.
Mindfulness, Nature & Horses with Ollie Frame
– COURSE CANCELLED
One Day Workshop; Saturday 16th May 2020 10am to 4pm
at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington. £110 per person.
This one-day workshop combines the practice of mindfulness with nature connection and spending time around horses. With a whole variety of different practices and activities, the day will be experiential, informative, and suitable for beginners and experienced meditators alike.
2019
Soul of a Horse with Lucy Rees
Lecture day and demo; Saturday 9th November 2019
at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Dartington Tickets
Lucy Rees, the world renowned equine ethologist has devoted a lifetime to studying wild living horses across the world. Through this work she has become one of the leading experts on horse behaviour and will be sharing her insightful and comprehensive findings during the course of the day. She is also an accomplished horse trainer and author.
She says: “The study of feral horse behaviour is the basis for understanding why domestic horses behave as they do and whether we are treating them appropriately. We have a lot to learn, not just about them but from them. Inside every domestic horse is a feral one with the same certainty about how life should be lived.”
Lecture day and demo with spectator places only.
Tea and coffee provided, bring your own lunch.
18th May – Introduction to Equine Facilitated Interventions:
Details: Intro to EAI
Sirona’s first OPEN DAY at the new Dartington site
June 15th 2019 11-3pm:
23rd March – Sirona at the Totnes ‘Caring Town Fair’:
2018
30th May Dartington Hall Estate Community Day
Come and meet the Sirona team at Dartington Hall Community Day in half term on Wednesday 30th May. Two of our ponies Lily and Mabel will be there to meet people and there will be horse shoe painting and our information stand giving info on our build and forthcoming move to Dartington. We look forward to meeting you there!
13th/14th July – Lucy Rees, author of The Horses’ Mind and Horses in Company and our fabulous patron at Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship is coming to do a lecture and demo as a fundraiser for Sirona. Lucy will be talking about her lifetime of research into the behaviour of wild horses. If we understand horse behaviour of natural living herds, it will cast light on how to best work with our domestic horses, both in our training methods and in helping horses when they express stereotypical behaviours.
More details and buy tickets here
This will fill up fast so don’t miss out.
2017
Sirona Open Day: June 10th 11am to 3pm
Come and meet the team and horses at Sirona and learn more about what we do. Information on our equine-assisted therapy and learning sessions and courses, who we work with and more. Horse shoe painting, equine brick a brac stall and refreshments available. Entry by donation.
Past Events:
Mindfulness and the Healing Drum: Saturday 6th May 2017 – 9.30-4pm
Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship will be hosting a unique experience – the combined effect of mindfulness and the healing beat of the shamanic drum, brought together by Graeme Green of the Mindful Horse, all in partnership with the beautiful Sirona herd.
£95 per person including home cooked lunch and refreshment.
For booking: [email protected] / 07981 440977
November 28th 2016 – 10am-12pm
Intro to Therapeutic Horsemanship Workshop
Come along to Sirona for an information/taster morning for professionals to learn more about Therapeutic Horsemanship and how it can help those affected by DSVA.
(This is part of 16 Days of Action in Exeter 2016 a collection of local events in Exeter and Devon that raise awareness, express solidarity and stimulate action to end Domestic & Sexual Violence & Abuse)
Contact us to book
December 4th and 5th 2016:
Sirona demo and display stand at The Westcountry Equine Fair – please come along and support us!
March 1st 2016: Building Character and Resilience – opportunities for Youth Work in Schools and Colleges. Learning South West Conference, Taunton. Sirona presented on ‘Building Resilience with Young People through Therapeutic Horsemanship’
April 16th 2016: Ben Hart team training day
July 2nd 2016: Equine-Assisted and Facilitators Practitioners Network meeting to be hosted at Sirona for EAFPN members. See EAFPN facebook page for details.
23rd October 2016: Mindfulness and the Healing Drum workshop
with Graeme Green of The Mindful Horse.
