Equine Assisted Support Services in Ireland
Equine assisted support services provide structured, therapeutic contact with horses for children and adults who need support with emotional regulation, communication, confidence, or daily living skills. Sessions are led by practitioners who combine horse knowledge with a care or therapy background, and they usually take place at a yard, farm, or designated equine centre. The work is calm and repetitive by design: grooming, leading, feeding, and ground exercises are used to build trust and routine rather than to teach riding. For a child with additional needs, or an older person living with dementia or reduced mobility, the horse becomes a steady point of contact that does not depend on speech. Families often arrange this support weekly or fortnightly, and some services offer block sessions during school holidays. A first visit is normally arranged as a short introductory meeting so the participant can meet the practitioner and the horse before any regular booking begins. Because the setting involves large animals, outdoor ground, and sometimes transport, the practical arrangements matter as much as the activity itself. This page sets out what affects cost, what to ask before you commit, and how the first meeting is usually organised.
What shapes the price of equine assisted support services
- Charges for equine assisted support are usually quoted per hour or per session, with longer half-day or full-day bookings priced separately.
- Weekend and evening slots often carry a higher rate than weekday daytime sessions, and public holidays are frequently priced at a premium.
- Night support, where it is offered at all, is normally arranged as a shift rather than an hourly booking.
- The number of participants matters: one-to-one support costs more per hour than a small group, because the practitioner's attention is not shared.
- Travel to a yard outside the practitioner's usual area, or transport of the participant to and from the venue, is commonly added.
- Some providers include an initial assessment in the first session fee; others charge for it separately.
- Where a session is delivered at the participant's own yard or a private facility, the fee may reflect the additional setup and insurance arrangements.
- Block bookings paid in advance sometimes attract a lower per-session rate, but ask how cancellations and missed sessions are handled before you pay.
- Equipment, helmets where used, and any feeding or stabling costs are usually itemised or stated as included.
How long equine assisted support services takes
The first meeting is usually arranged by phone or email, and most practitioners offer a short introductory visit before any regular booking. That visit typically lasts thirty to forty-five minutes and takes place at the yard, so the participant can see the environment and meet the horse without the pressure of a full session. Some practitioners prefer to speak with you first, then meet the participant separately, and a few will ask for a referral or a brief written summary from a GP, school, or support worker before the first visit. After the introductory meeting, you can expect a decision within a few days about whether to book a regular slot. Scheduling is often constrained by the horses' routine, so weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to have more availability than after-school hours. If you need weekend or holiday sessions, ask how far ahead those are booked. Your task stays open for 30 days. Providers registered in this category can see it.
What to ask before you hire
- 01Ask what qualification or professional body membership the practitioner holds, and whether they have a background in social care, occupational therapy, teaching, or equine facilitated learning.
- 02Ask to see their Garda vetting certificate.
- 03Request two references from families or services they have worked with in the past year, and follow them up.
- 04Ask what insurance covers the sessions, including public liability and professional indemnity, and ask for the policy details rather than a verbal assurance.
- 05Ask what happens if the participant becomes distressed, has a seizure, falls, or is injured near the horse, and who administers first aid.
- 06Ask how many staff are present and what the adult-to-participant ratio is.
- 07Ask whether the horses are used to working with people who have additional needs, and how the practitioner matches a horse to a participant.
- 08Ask what the cancellation policy is, and what happens in bad weather.
- 09Ask whether the practitioner keeps written session notes and whether you can see them.
- 10Ask how the participant's privacy is protected if sessions are photographed or used for records.
- 11Ask what the practitioner expects from you as a parent, carer, or support worker during the session.
- 12Ask whether they have experience of the specific condition or need you are bringing, and whether they would say so if they did not.
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Equine assisted support services questions people ask
Does equine assisted support involve riding?
Most equine assisted support is ground-based and does not involve riding. Sessions focus on grooming, leading, feeding, and handling, which build routine and confidence without the risks of mounted work. Some practitioners offer riding as a separate activity, but that is usually described as therapeutic riding and is priced and insured differently. Ask at the introductory meeting what the session will actually contain.
What age range can use these services?
Services are offered to children from around four or five years old through to adults and older people. The deciding factor is usually the participant's ability to be safe near a horse, not their age. Some practitioners specialise in early years, others in teenagers or adults with acquired conditions. Ask what age groups the practitioner normally works with before you book.
How much does a session cost in Ireland?
There is no single rate, and prices vary by county, session length, and whether support is one-to-one or in a small group. Expect hourly or per-session pricing, with weekends, evenings, and travel charged at a higher rate. Ask for a written breakdown covering the session, travel, and any assessment fee before you commit to a block.
Is equine assisted support suitable for a child with autism?
Many practitioners work with autistic children, but suitability depends on the individual child and the practitioner's experience. Ask what training they have in autism or additional needs, and whether they have worked with a child with a similar profile. A short introductory visit is the best way to judge whether the setting and the horse are a good fit.
What should I check before the first session?
Ask about qualifications, professional body membership, insurance, and first aid arrangements. Ask to see their Garda vetting certificate. Confirm what happens in an emergency and who is present during the session. Ask for references and follow them up. These checks are normal and a practitioner should be willing to answer them clearly before you book.
Can sessions take place at our own yard or home?
Some practitioners travel to a participant's own yard or a private facility, though this usually costs more because of travel and setup. They will need to check the site for safety, insurance, and suitable ground. Ask whether they carry insurance that covers off-site work, and confirm any travel charge in writing before the first visit.
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