Our evidence based ReStart course is action-based, designed to interrupt participants’ usual thinking and emotional responses, whilst responsive to their individual pace and needs.

The ReStart is usually delivered over 5 consecutive days, working for approx 2 hours per day with 1-to-1 facilitator support. We teach, rehearse and repeat key resilience skills in an intensive and challenging, but fun way, with feedback in-the-moment from specially trained horses.

There is no discussion of the past. All sessions take place in action with the horses, there is no classroom content or talk-based therapy or counselling. Tasks are guided by the facilitator and the horses are selected and trained to provide especially clear and easily observed physical feedback to participants, many of whom may not have interacted with horses prior to taking part in the programme. The methodological focus is on social and emotional shifts being made ‘in the moment’, in response to difficulties encountered.

Our participants are unmounted handlers, learning to work in partnership with the horses on the ground. The course employs an approach using a series of specific tasks as tools to develop positive habits. This unique programme allows us to shape difficult behaviour with non-verbal strategies which seem to be more acceptable to those who struggle with conventional interventions.

The Skills Star below show the 8 key skills we work on:

• Engagement (Confidence as a Learner) – enthusiastically taking on new challenges, pushing limits whilst also taking care of own confidence
• Responsibility – taking responsibility for our own thoughts, emotions and actions
• Calmness – having the habit of calmness and knowing how to create it in difficult situations
• Assertiveness – able to be calmly assertive, without getting aggressive or upset
• Realistic Analysis & Planning – Stopping to think before acting, making a realistic assessment of situations and planning accordingly
• Focus & Perseverance – working towards goals despite setbacks
• Relating to Others / Empathy – seeing the needs of others, offering care and support, feeling closely connected
• Communication & Language – two way, respectful, assertive communications, having language to talk about thinking and emotions

On the last day, each participant has a robust reflective session with their facilitator – looking at their progress in each of the areas of the Skills Star (see Method for more info). We will also give each participant the opportunity to record a short video of everything they have learnt in the week.