TheHorseCourse Restart Programme:
At the heart of Devon Healing Horsemanship's offerings is the Restart Programme, an intensive action-based intervention designed for individuals who have not found success with traditional talk-based services. This programme spans up to 10 hours over 4 days, focusing on experiential learning and skill development through interactions with specially trained horses. Participants engage in tasks such as “horse whispering” and guiding horses to perform specific actions, which helps them cultivate essential psycho-social skills in a practical, non-verbal manner.
Our Restart participants often face serious difficulties (see list below) and are referred because talk-based support has not worked for them. We specialise in helping people who are disengaged or stuck – we are experts in action-based intervention.
We teach social and emotional skills, expertly coached 'in the moment', in response to challenges with the horses. Our horses are carefully selected and highly trained to ensure clear and easily observed physical feedback as participants develop mastery of eight skills: engagement, responsibility, calmness, assertiveness, realistic analysis and planning, focus and perseverance, relating to others/empathy, and communication and language.
We set “just right” challenges where participants struggle but are crucially always coached to success in tricky, intricate tasks with the horses. These short episodes of learning, each lasting about 10-20 minutes, result in relentless success repeated over and over again for a whole week. It becomes clear to participants that success comes from mastering new skills in calmness, focus, and perseverance. They don’t just “feel great”; they actually learn to “be great” and they know it!
To culminate, they work with horses at liberty (no ropes), performing seemingly impossible tasks. This feels absolutely magical and has a profound impact on the way they see themselves and their abilities.
Outcomes:
We measure change through feedback during and at the end of the course from our participants, who give an average score of 9.5/10 for course helpfulness. They describe improved confidence, self-belief, and happiness.
We also analyse our case notes and check long-term impact by asking our referrers for feedback two months post-intervention. They report that 86% show improved self-belief (36% strongly and 50% somewhat).
A study supported by the Charities Evaluation Services demonstrated significant post-programme improvements, with 95% reporting enhanced identity, 80% experiencing reduced anxiety, and 85% showing increased engagement in work, school, or training. Similar improvements were noted in reducing problematic behaviours and improving relationships.
Sessions:
Sessions are 2-2.5 hours long, held on four consecutive days to help set new skills and habits. The results tend to be dramatic, with participants shifting to a point where they can then engage with specialist talk-based support or re-engage with mainstream provision. See our evidence page here.
We provide detailed handbacks to the participant and their referring professional and discuss follow-up support.
All our Restart participants can access unlimited top-up sessions as needed (subject to available funding).
List of Difficulties: (Our participants often typically have four or more from the list below)
Anxiety
ADHD
ASD
PTSD
Not attending school (training, work)
Relationship difficulties
Mood swings/impulsivity
Disengaged
Self-harming
Suicidal
Bullying, aggression, anger management issues
Being bullied
Risk-taking behaviour
Drug & alcohol misuse
Eating disorder
Offending
Domestic violence
Neglect/abuse
Difficult family dynamics
In a family with mental health problems, offending, or D&A
Living in care, leaving care, or at risk of going into care
From an area of high deprivation
Homeless
Restart Cost:
The cost to commissioners is £95 per hour / £950 per Restart. Where statutory funding is not available, we rely on our charitable fundraising. If someone needs our service, we do not turn them away.
To refer, please contact us at https://devonhh.org.uk/contact-us/ – we often suggest a taster session to ensure the participant is happy to commit to the four-day Restart.
We accept participants aged 8 and above with the cognitive reasoning of an 8 year old or above.
We regret that our current location isn't suitable for wheelchairs as they get stuck in the horse arena surface.
For any other needs including vision and hearing impairments; learning difficulties or physical disabilities then please get in touch and we can discuss how we can support the individual needs of the potential participant.