Supporting coaches who care

professional standards and innovation

Did you know.... 1 in 6 people over 60 are registered blind.. horse related businesses are the biggest employers of women in rural communities 45% of pension age adults are disabled Mobility is the most commonly reported impairment: 52% 41% of disabled people would like people to understand their needs more

Professional CPD

Coaching through Disabilities

This is an accredited BHS CPD workshop (6 points ) which can be taken as a 1 day in person workshop or through joining two 3 hour long online sessions. The workshop is unmounted and will be a small group of 8-12 people, with plenty of discussion around the course topics to utilises the knowledge in the room. A personal workbook is provided to track points of interest. A comprehensive email with links to the online resources used is sent out after the event.

Comments from past participants include:

It was so fantastic to have such generous experience and knowledge in one room. I personally gained so much participating in this group and on reflection, how fortunate to meet such passionate people about taking steps forward.

Yesterday was brilliant!. If your goal was to provide a super day with plenty of interactive discussions and education on coaching people with disabilities – you nailed it…. I look forward to the follow up….

Equine Facilitated Coaching

Simply being within a safe and calm yard or field with horses enables a different level of insight into behaviours ands values. This is valuable to people who want to connect with horses as part of managing life changes or health diagnoses. It involves un-mounted coaching sessions, which allows the horse’s response to symbolic exercises to give a internalised experience. It is thought provoking too!

To support this work we hold Local Authority Licences as a Riding School and for Exhibiting Animals. We work with professionally qualified and insured Equine Assisted Coaching and Learning Facilitators. All our coaches and volunteers are under the supervision of BHS Accredited Professional Coaches, meeting safeguarding, first aid and ongoing CPD requirements.

We encourage our associates to engage in ongoing learning, including First Aid, Horse Welfare, Risk management, Mental Health First Aid, Horse Behaviour, UKCC coaching and Action Learning approaches.

Join us on the Happiness Horsebox

This innovation award winning vehicle is invited to all sorts of events to highlight the benefits horse bring through riding or equine assisted approaches including visits of care homes, – or simply as a means to access nature. We are also talking to partners about using the vehicle for academic research and as a private space for storytelling and media interviews.

Invites this year include Country Shows, British Dressage Para Competitions, RDA events, visits to the gallops or stud farms, working horses on estates, eventing and team chasing as well as events focused on supporting people with disabilities.. These are highlighted on the Happiness Horsebox website

We really appreciate our peers and supporters sharing the experience.

Join us for a great day out ! (opens in new tab)

“It’s fun as well as fascinating!”

How we can help

Individual riding sessions for adults

We specialise in one to one coaching for riders with disabilities, on their own horse or one managed under our riding school licence.

Coach Training

With a strong background in the psychology of coaching and action learning, we are able to support groups and individuals wanting to learn more about coaching people with disabilities.

Coaching for Para Equestrians

Liz loves coaching riders wishing to compete in equestrian sports. She brings extensive experience as a British Dressage listed Judge, competitor and level 4 BHS accredited professional coach. She can help to find the right horse and re-train it to specific requirements on an individual basis too

Down memory lane...

With an understanding of the issues of dementia, MS, Parkinson’s disease and the isolation of old age, we are keen to facilitate un-mounted sessions in a calm safe environment. These will enable people to re-connect with horses even when they cannot ride.

Happiness Horsebox Team

One of our biggest ambitions is to encourage more people with life-changing conditions to be able to ride in the countryside. We want to take our horses and participants out using an accessible horsebox.

Equine Facilitated Learning

Our venue, horses and facilities are available to appropriately trained coaches and therapists who wish to offer EFL sessions.

The Happiness Horsebox CIC

Registered number: 12901225

A Sport Innovation Award winner that helps people keep riding and enjoy the natural world through horses, despite disabilities

Great work takes many hands & minds!

Can you support us in any way?

Places to meet horses…

can you help us arrange small sessions for people with disabilities to watch horses ?

Develop new workshops

we can help develop and publicise sessions that support our approach and values

Professional support

From HGV drivers to accountants to physiotherapists, all skills are welcome

Odd jobs around horses!

Grooming, tack cleaning, yard sweeping…. it’s all part of being with horses..

Applying for Grants

and promote our events in different regions

Participants welcome!

We love to help people ride and be with horses

Caring for our horses

Rain or shine, our horses appreciate your time!

Join the hacking team

Can you help us identify suitable venues for rides?

News and views about coaching through disabilities