Whole Horse, Whole Human Three Day Workshop for Equine

Learning & Therapy Professionals with Trish Broersma

Friday 6th - Sunday 8th July 2018


At Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, 
Hannahs at Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NQ

This three-day experiential intensive training offers equine professionals and counsellors, psychotherapists, coaches and other wellness professionals the principles and practices of working in collaboration with horses for holistic benefits for both people and horses. 

It is based on over 30 years of conducting programs by Trish Broersma within the PATH International context of professionalism and safety for people with physical disabilities, at-risk teens, people in transition, and for the past six years, women recovering from the effects of breast cancer treatment. 

Her approach integrates cutting edge human development work, current brain research, chaos theory, quantum physics, and body based modalities, with a focus on new practices with horses as sentient beings.

Day One

My Horse, My Self: Developing the Whole Horse and the Whole Person

On this first day we will explore the theoretical principles and ethical underpinnings for program activities and practices which promote growth and personal development for both people and horses. Includes training in liberty work for developing highly collaborative partnerships with horses, and explorations of four levels of the self for people and horses.

Timings: Start at 10.30am in the lecture room at Hannah’s at Seale HayneLunch at 1pm and afternoon at Sirona Therapeutic Horsmanship finish at 6pm

Day Two:

Riding Into Your Mythic Life: Programmes and Activities for At-Risk Teens and People in Transition

Day two focuses on programmatic activities for equine facilitated learning and equine assisted psychotherapy, based on the book Riding Into Your Mythic Life: Transformational Adventures with the Horse. Emphasis is on mounted and ground activities which introduce people to their larger life stories using body-based modalities, where horses become companions to empower effective steps into the future. 

Timings: Start at 9.30am, 1pm lunch, finish at 6pm

Day Three

Opening Doors to the Future: Programmes and Activities for Breast Cancer Survivors and Thrivers

In the morning of the third day Trish presents a model for breast cancer survivors, based on the 6 year old US programme Riding Beyond. Focus is on the many common issues associated with recovery from breast cancer treatment along with powerful therapeutic riding activities and equine facilitated learning and psychotherapy activities which address these issues and enable survivors and thrivers to take giant strides into a new future. 

Kickstart Your Programme: Developing a Good Idea into a Broad-Based Community Supported Programme

On our final afternoon we concentrate on how to kick-start or enhance our own equine learning and therapy programmes. Trish’s presentation applies chaos theory, principles of community development, and leadership guidelines to the challenges of gaining wide-spread support and participation in equine facilitated programs.

We will then conclude the afternoon with a group process reflecting and sharing what we take away and utlise from the three days in our own organisations, practices and/or programmes.

Timings: Start at 9.30am, 1pm lunch, finish at 5.30pm.

More information on the host Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship

Sirona is one of the UK’s leading centres providing equine-assisted therapy and learning and horse care courses in partnership with Duchy College for disadvantaged young people with the aim of building new skills, confidence and resilience to bring about more positive life outcomes. They have a wealth of experience in the field with research and evaluation to support the success of their work with some of the hardest to reach young people in the local community. Sirona will soon be moving to the beautiful Dartington Hall Estate, nr Totnes where they will be further developing their work and offering new courses – please have a look at Sirona's website by clicking here for more information.

Sirona CEO and founder Dr Hannah Burgon says “we feel especially privileged to have a renowned PATH accredited trainer from the US come and put on a training of this type in the UK”.