Equine-Assisted Activities at Sirona
Our offer
A range of different sessions to meet the diverse needs of individuals attending Sirona. We take referrals from statutory services such as social services fostering and children’s teams, school SEND teams, Pupil Referral Units, CAMHS, GPs, NHS and social care, and other support organisations for vulnerable people. We also take private referrals.
Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship is an Approved Alternative Provider with Torbay Council and Devon County Council.
Our approach
Sirona follows an integrative approach underpinned by person-centred, attachment theory, trauma informed and strength-based approaches where we support the participant to find their own solutions within a supportive, non-judgemental, safe space. We incorporate our unique Equine-Based Mindfulness (EBM) exercises into sessions where appropriate and safe to do so. Our horses’ welfare is paramount, and we follow a horse-centred and positive reinforcement approach alongside a natural management system.
Our team includes professional practitioners with qualifications in counselling and psychotherapy, child psychology, occupational therapy, social work, teaching and horse professionals.
Our special herd of horses are especially suited and trained to work in equine-assisted activities, are safe and enjoy contact with people. Many of our horses and ponies are rescue animals and Sirona provides them with a home for life. The herd includes a Shetland pony, Dartmoor pony, a piebald cob and an Andalusian cross rescued from Spain.
Our provision
We’re now settled in our new home
After many years of planning and fundraising, we moved to our beautiful new bespoke centre on the Dartington Hall Estate, near Totnes, in the autumn of 2018. The site is nestled in ten acres on the edge of a beautiful south facing valley surrounded by trees and nature. We have a purpose built open barn where the horses can range freely, separate stables, an undercover session area, classroom, an arena, separate round pen and a copse where we have been developing our nature-based activities.
More details and map of where we are
Hear more about our work here:
Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship 