It is one of Galway’s best kept secrets, which is surprising given that it is doing sterling work in driving a goal-focused intervention in people with a range of disabilities.
Mary Mitchell and Eileen Bennett have been running Horses Connect as a social enterprise in Galway since 2015. It is a labour of love, heavily dependent on volunteers and donations.
They work with children, teens and adults who are experiencing a wide range of physical, intellectual, mental health and other challenges. The aim is to help clients to recognise their true value and reach their full potential through interaction with horses.
Therapeutic Horse-riding is a goal-focused intervention for people with disabilities. The multi-dimensional movement of the horse’s hips and pelvis works on the rider’s balance, posture, tone, core strength, body/spatial awareness, etc.
Equine-assisted Learning can be a combination of groundwork and riding, or groundwork, alone, Groundwork means anything from grooming to leading to playing games or other physical activities with the horse on the ground.
Sometimes it means simply spending quality time with one or more horses. The intention is to create an opportunity for an enjoyable learning experience at a level appropriate to the client.
Equine-assisted Personal Development and Wellbeing is an innovative way to nurture life-skills through horses. It is recognised globally as a powerful and experiential tool that very quickly breaks down barriers and leads to a positive shift in limiting patterns, behaviours, or beliefs.
The amazing work at Horses Connect is totally dependent on the small team of very special horses and ponies, most of whom are old and/or carrying injuries from previous careers.
Each one requires very specialised care to be kept fit and healthy enough to carry out their very important roles. As well as a range of vitamins, minerals, supplements and special feeds, they all need regular teeth, feet and back care.
And that’s why there are people jumping out of planes on June 5. Mary Mitchell and three others are taking to the skies, then free falling 1400 feet, to pay for an Equissage Back Massager. If you can support in any way, you can find out more about Horses Connect at www.horsesconnect.com; and you can donate to the fundraiser at idonate.ie/cause/HorsesConnect1 or through Paypal [email protected]
If you are interested in volunteering, email [email protected].
