Horses for courses
The courses at HorseBack UK are split into three one-week courses spread over six months. “The groups of people on the courses form little communities and they look after each other,” says Jock. “They come and stay for the week and it creates an environment where people come together to cook and eat. Once they have done the three weeks, there is the opportunity to contribute as a mentor or ambassador, but many of them go back to work or volunteer and become part of a community again. “Our aim is to transition people from being isolated to where they feel part of a community and are contributing to it. There’s lots of opportunities for people to come back and remain a part of the Horseback UK family.” As a teenager, Jock worked on a farm in America. Since then, he’s had a soft spot for Quarter Horses. “Because they are soft and gentle, they’re perfect for the course” he says.
Humans need to take the leadership but not be a bully. Horses won’t learn when they are fearful and that is exactly the same as people
There are currently 24 horses at HorseBack UK made up of Quarter Horses, ex-racehorses and horses that have been rescued by equine charities. “A lot of the horses we take on are very similar to the people we serve — they have been written off in another life — and the amazing thing is, if you give a person or a horse a second chance, it’s amazing how much they appreciate it.” An important part of the horses’ management is that they all live out in herds. “Horses that work with people who are hurting badly mentally seem to soak up some of that angst, so it does them good to go back out into the herd and socialise,” explains Jock. “It plays a massive part in enabling them to do the work we ask of them.” Working with horses has always been a lifelong ambition of Jock’s, and he feels lucky to be able to fulfil that. “One of the things that is important to me is working with horses,” he muses. “If I didn’t have a passion for them, I don’t see how this could work. I love them today as much as when I was a little kid and seeing how they help people is what gets me out of bed in the morning.” Visit horseback.org.uk for more info.