WELCOME
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Do you dream of working alongside horses to change people's lives? Are you confused by all the different training options or put off by the expense? Do you feel like you don't fit in the equestrian world due to disability, disadvantage or difference?
No matter who you are, we have something for you here at With Horses. Our courses and curricula are designed to help people learn, grow, heal and connect with horses. They are accessible and affordable, opening up access to horses and careers pathways in the equine assisted industry for everyone. ​
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Horses are for Everyone
The horse world is synonymous with privilege and has a poor track record when it comes to creating truly equitable opportunities for people with lived experience of disadvantage, disability or discrimination. With Horses exists to help redress the balance. We believe that the therapeutic and learning benefits of horses are for everyone, not just the privileged few. We offer accessible, affordable and inclusive equine assisted services courses and resources, opening up career pathways to those from underrepresented communities.
Training in the equine assisted industry in particular is expensive and difficult to access. The result is that practitioners tend to be privileged and the profession lacks diversity. The equine assisted industry caters to a huge range of people from adaptive riding centres that change the lives of children with disabilities to equine assisted psychotherapy practices that help to heal trauma and adults with addictions. We believe that the rich diversity of our clients, who come from all walks of life, should be reflected in those providing the services.
"It would be nice to have trainers that look like the children or students that aren’t represented normally, so that there is a sense of safety and comfort."
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- Horses for All Survey
"It’s not just my heritage, it’s also the class connotations that are inextricably linked with the sport. I don’t believe I could ever feel like I belong."
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- Horses for All Survey
These findings from Horses for All, a 2023 report from the British Equestrian underline the vital nature of our work : ​​
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While 33% of white respondents agreed working in an equestrian environment was a viable career option, figures from black, Asian or mixed background people were 6%, 10% and 16% respectively.
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76% said they agreed with the statement 'people like me are underrepresented in horse riding and other horse related activities.
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Only 9% of respondents from socioeconomically underserved communities felt working in an equestrian environment was a viable career option.
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At present the demand for equine activity in diverse communities often goes unmet and many equestrians from diverse backgrounds struggle to find their place within the industry.
​​British Equestrian has "created a strategy to act as a framework to build action plans which will deliver meaningful, generational results to ensure equestrianism is reflective of society and that equestrian activity as a sport, leisure pastime or career remains relevant in the 21st century a safe, respectful and inclusive community with a culture that values and welcomes everyone and is accessible for anyone from any background to participate in."
With Horses is committed to leading from the front on diversity, being the change we want to see in the equestrian world by addressing financial, structural, cultural and social barriers that prevent people from diverse communities from having careers in the equine assisted services industry.
We currently have students in 16 countries. If you would like to join the ranks of With Horses trained professionals working alongside horses to help people all over the world, take a look at our award-winning range of curricula or enroll on one of our online courses or sign up for professional accredited training today!
