The Cotswold Project Holistic CIC

29/05/2025

27/03/2025

Our partner, Pioneer Equestrian Coaching is ABRS+ approved

Riding Schools: A Foundation for Equine Welfare & Education 🐴

A well-run riding school provides more than just lessons—it helps shape 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 who understand horse welfare from the start. ⭐️

At ABRS+, we recognise the essential role of riding schools and centres in maintaining high standards of horse care in the wider equine community. They:

✔️ Teach correct horse handling and stable management
✔️ Ensure welfare standards are upheld through structured care routines
✔️ Educate riders on responsible horse ownership

By choosing ABRS+ accredited centres, riders can be confident they are learning in a 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Did you learn to ride at a riding school, or are you currently? Share your experiences in the comments! 👇

To 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗦+ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮, visit our website: https://www.abrs-info.org/listings/approved-riding-school/

23/03/2025

Do you know the story of Clever Hans?
Hans was owned by German Maths teacher Wilhelm von Osten who claimed to have taught his horse arithmetic and other skills such as telling the time. Hans would tap his hoof to answer questions.
This gave rise to huge public interest and even led an investigation by the German board of education, who in 1904 tasked Oskar Pfungst to study Hans.
Pfungst found that Hans was actually reading the almost imperceptible body language cues of his handler. Osten was unaware of this.
Today, the Clever Hans Effect is well known amongst behavioural researchers and should be accounted for in experimental design by avoiding face to face contact.
Just goes to show how horses can detect even the tiniest change in our signals. This makes them so useful as a therapy animals but we also need to be aware of their level of stress in reading us. Some horses can cope with this better than others so as practictioners we need to be aware of their micro body language too. [photo credit Wikipedia]

13/03/2025

KNOW A YOUNG PERSON WHO CARES?
This week to celebrate Young Carers Action Day theme of "Give us a break", we are offering the chance to have a free horse session. Open to local carers under the age of 25. To nominate, all you need to do is email or DM before 21st March and tell us why they deserve a treat.
The session can be ridden, non-ridden or simply pony chill 'n' cuddle time! They choose.

01/03/2025

We now have over 100 followers. Thanks folks, great to have you 👍

20/02/2025

📢 The Latest Edition of our SEND Connect Newsletter is Here! 📢

Our February 2025 edition is packed with important updates, events, and resources for SEND families in Oxfordshire, including:

📰 Key Updates from our latest KIT Meeting – EHCP concerns, social care access, CAMHS referrals & more
📅 Upcoming SEND-Friendly Events – Workshops, listening events & community meet-ups
📘 Understanding Dyspraxia (DCD) – A guide for families with support options
💬 Mental Health Support – CAMHS webinars, the AnDY Clinic, and peer support opportunities
🔍 Local Area Partnership Updates – Service updates and improvements

📩 Read the full newsletter here: 👉 https://www.oxpcf.org.uk/news/categories/newsletters

💡 We’d love your feedback! Help us shape future editions of SEND Connect by completing our quick, anonymous feedback survey: https://www.menti.com/alkexv7r8v9k

🔄 Please share to help us reach more families! 💜

18/02/2025

Free for members or recording can be purchased.

We are excited to share our next HETI Educational webinar with you all! This member's only webinar will look at Hospice and palliative care with horses. HETI EC member, Renate Deimel will deliver this webinar on 27 Feb at 18.30 Central European Time (Paris/Brussels).

HETI members can register for this webinar through the member's area of the HETI website: https://hetifederation.org/webinar/webinar-12-renate-deimel/

The recording of this webinar will be available to purchase in the HETI store to any non-HETI members.

If you'd like to join HETI, visit:
https://hetifederation.org/membership-plans/

07/02/2025

We would love to see your pictures too.

06/02/2025

Home educators, with Children's Mental Health Week 3-9 February, explore a range of resources on the BBC Teach website, suitable for primary and secondary school age children: bbc.in/4hxVBiT

28/01/2025

Brilliant resource from HETI - Horses in Education and Therapy International. Excellent welfare organisation. We are business members.

We are delighted to list the National Standards for EAS for 4 different countries on our website - Brazil, France, New Zealand and the UK. We think this is a vital resource for EAS providers globally, not only to ensure they are following the National Standard for their country, but to also understand the standards from other countries.

If you're interested in adding information about the National Standards for your country, please email the HETI office.

To see the National standards listing, visit: https://hetifederation.org/national-standards-for-eas/