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HUG Equine Assisted Learning

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HUG Equine Assisted Learning

equine assisted learning is an innovative mental health and education intervention

29/08/2025

Halloween fun
Small groups
PM for details

28/08/2025

A huge thank you to the wonderful staff and residents of Our Lady’s Manor Nursing Home for the beautiful handmade thank-you card. Once again , we were greeted with fantastic smiles and heartwarming stories. I'm absolutely delighted that Tiny Tim continues to bring so much joy to everyone 💕

25/08/2025

What an amazing day we had at the Moate Agricultural Show yesterday ⭐️

A huge thank you to the show and Colin Doyle for running the Special Needs In-Hand class.

Two of my clients took part, and judging by the smiles on their faces, they had an absolute ball !. They were so excites beforehand , and they did exceedingly well leading the ponies -- despite the ponies being more interested in eating grass, which became an extra obstacle they handled brilliantly 🐴💚.
The sense of achievement was incredible. Darren was over the moon when he released he won 🥇1st place, and Jamie proudly took 🥈2nd place. Both lads were also thrilled to receive bags of treats for the ponies , which meant a lot to them. They went home beaming with their 1st and 2nd place rosettes, and the joy on their faces said it all 🥇🥈.
On top of that, another client shows Little Ted in the mini handler class and came 3rd 🥉out of a class of 9--- fantastic result !

A massive thank you to the family, friends and carers who supported and helped make this day such a special and memorable one. ❤️

23/08/2025

Tiny Tim, George and Little Ted 🐴⭐️ all showered and washed for Moate Agricultural Show 🚜🐄 tomorrow.

21/08/2025

We've had a fantastic week of visits at laurels lodge care centre , Esker Rí Nursing Home and Sonas Nursing Home ( cloverhill )

At laurels lodge Tiny Tim even joined in the fun at the 🤠 cowboy themed party bringing plenty of laughter and smiles.

These days are filled with wonderful stories and treasured memories, like one resident recalling the days of working horses: "my father would let me ride the horse to the forge and I loved sitting in the field and watching him plough"

The most special moments are often the simplest- like walking into a room and seeing faces light up the instant Tiny Tim 🦄 walks in.
Truly precious 💛

20/08/2025

What a great morning we had with áirc midlands , everyone had a brilliant time

14/08/2025

Thank you to Moate Agricultural Show for including a special needs in-hand show class. I'm absolutely delighted about this , as several clients from HUG Equine Assisted Learning are really looking forward to taking part. Your support and inclusivity mean a lot to our community 🐴 💚.

11/08/2025

Tiny Tim is all set to enjoy the sunshine

07/08/2025

💥What a breakthrough today 💥

If you have been following this journey of a non-verbal client, you'll know how far we've come. In the beginning, it was just about building trust, from staying in the car,,, to eventually running around the yard, then, just last week, stepping into the shed.

And today. WEEK 10 💥 something truly special happened.

They came over to the pony 🐴several times, each time staying a little longer, reaching out for a gentle touch.

🚨 Then came the moment that will stay with me
I held out the lead rope and asked if they'd like to take it.
They gave me the biggest smile 😃 and took the rope .

Then they walked 🚶the pony 🐴

Let that sink in ____ they walked the pony 🎊

From not getting out of the car, to leading a pony 🐴 .

What a feeling to witness this transformation and be part of something so deeply meaningful.

02/08/2025

Another Great Day at Sonas Nursing Home Innis Ree 🌞🐴

We had another lovely day filled with smiles, laughter, and wonderful storytelling here at Sonas Innis Ree. The theme of the day? Horses and memories from home — and what a treasure trove of stories we heard!

🐎 “We had horses on the farm growing up — we worked the horses before we ever got a tractor.”

👨‍🌾 “My father was a great horseman. We ploughed the fields with our horses until we eventually got a tractor.”

🏇 “We had a Connemara pony that we used to go to town on!”

✝️ And one of the residents, a former missionary priest in Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay, shared how a horse was his only means of transport during his time there.

“Oh Jesus — it’s a real pony!” 🐴💫

Our visit to the day rooms and bedrooms at Sonas Nursing Home Innis Ree was met with surprise, joy, and more than a few delighted gasps!

Here are just some of the heartwarming things we heard:

“Ohh Jesus, it’s a real pony!”

“I thought you were joking, bringing in a real pony.”

“Thank you so much for coming in — that has made my day.”

“Take a photo of me with the pony for my family — they won’t believe me!”

The reactions say it all. Moments like these don’t just bring smiles — they create memories, spark stories, and fill hearts with happiness. 💖
What a pleasure it was for myself and my daughter to witness the happiness

01/08/2025

Session reflection- non verbal participant ( continued progress)

This week marked another significant milestone in the participants journey. Upon arrival , they independently entered the shed- a new and positive step forward in their engagement and comfort within the session environment. I gave time space to explore the perimeter of the shed freely, keeping the gate open to ensure they felt safe and not confined.
Once they appeared settled and at ease, i brought in Tiny Tim and gently closed the gate. The participant showed no signs of distress, maintaining their calm demeanor while continuing to move around the space. They alternated between walking in front of us and behind us, which appeared to be a way of regulating promiximity and interaction on their own terms.
At one point, they chose to sit quietly on a chair in the corner, observing from a distance as we engaged in play with the emoji balls. Respecting their space, I moved closer with Tiny Tim and over the next several minutes, the participant initiated contact multiple times -- reaching out to touch the pony, including a gentle and focused touch to Tiny Tim's ear. These were spontaneous, meaningful interactions that reflected growing sense of curiosity, safety and trust.
Throughout the session, they remained quiet, smiling and maintaining eye contact-- all signs of emotional regulation, postive engagement and comfort. Perhaps the most telling measure of progress is the contrast between early sessions and now: we've gone from a place of resistance, distress and not leaving the car to a full 35 minutes of focused presence and close contact with the pony.
This level of participation is remarkable. The client's growing ability to stay present, initiate gentle interaction and remain emotionally regulated is a powerful reflection of the therapeutic potential of equine assisted learning. Their progress is not only visible- it's relational, embodied and deeply encouraging.

Address

Mount Temple
Moate
N37V229

Telephone

+353832037427

Website

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