4 minute read
Rider Health and Welfare
Five minutes with... ANDREAS LIEFOOGHE
potentially, however you do need to select a horse that is secure in themselves, contained yet outgoing enough. I love working with Arabians and Thoroughbreds in therapy although Shire horses are equally amazing due to their enormous presence.”
What type of human conditions do you find are best treated through horse therapy? “It’s not so much the condition as the person - people with trauma, shame, who find trust in relationships problematic. People who don’t like sitting in an office with a therapist looking at them. Operation Centaur now has clinics for most conditions including addiction, eating disorders, anxiety and depression, trauma.”
Have you seen a rise in the above-mentioned conditions since the Pandemic? “Eating disorders and addiction have certainly increased. People who were already struggling clearly found things very hard, for everyone else there has been an increased awareness that sound mental health is not something we can take for granted.”
We understand that you tend to use Shire horses for work such as antibullying in schools and work with offenders in prisons – can you tell us a little bit more about this and why you choose to use this breed? “It’s difficult to bully a horse that weighs a tonne. Shires are so impressive, noble - gentle yet strong. People can identify with them.”
You are planning overseas horse therapy retreats, ‘Retreat and Conquer’ in 2023 – can you tell us a little bit more about these? “Our clinical work has taught us that a lot of working with horses and humans can be translated to situations out of the clinic post-pandemic there’s a real need for this. Many people feel a bit stuck, lacking purpose, THERE ARE TIMES IN ALL OUR LIVES WHEN OUR EMOTIONS ARE OVERWHELMING BUT HORSES CAN PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN RECOVERY AND EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY CAN HELP US WORK THROUGH DIFFICULTIES. OPERATION CENTAUR, THE UK’S LEADING HORSE THERAPY CENTRE, HAS BEEN HELPING PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY, PTSD AND EATING DISORDERS THROUGH EQUINEASSISTED THERAPY FOR YEARS, AND WILL BE LAUNCHING A NEW OVERSEAS INITIATIVE IN 2023. PHOEBE OLIVER SPOKE WITH FOUNDER, ANDREAS LIEFOOGHE, TO FIND OUT MORE.
feeling there’s something is missing in life, as a result of this we have put together a list of retreats in some of the most awe-inspiring places in the world including Asia, Arabia, South Africa and Mustique in the Caribbean.”
www.operationcentaur.com
ASK A Masterminder
Small & Supercharged Mastermind is an online group supporting small equestrian and rural businesses and, as such, is bursting with amazingly knowledgeable people with lots to share. Each month we’ll be asking them a question and members will be sharing their answers. This month’s question is… ‘HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE LOYALTY FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS?’
Carly O’Brien, COB’s Executive Virtual Assistant and COB’s Equine Services
“I truly believe that the loyalty I have with my customers is because of great communication, completing work to a high standard and going the extra mile.
“With these key traits, I have repeat customers who come to me again and again. They even recommend me to their friends and family. I love it when I receive a message saying, “you were recommended” or “x recommended you”.
www.cobs-eva.co.uk
Matt and Harry Wallis, Hand Forged Hearts
“A good product. He (Matt) takes pride in his work and the finished product always looks good.
“Being as flexible for the customer as possible has helped us get repeat orders. We have an easy drop off and collection service if customers want their own horse’s shoes incorporated into a design. We offer free local delivery and free nationwide delivery for larger orders. We communicate well with customers which is streamlined through Etsy or our website for simpler orders and more personally for commissions. “Lastly, we are quite open on our website and social media about why we do this business and share little sneak peaks about our family and what we get up to. So much so, at a show recently, a lady came up to our stand with her partner and said to him, “These guys have just spent their first anniversary in Sardinia!”
www.handforgedhearts.co.uk
Tracey Cole, Tracey Cole NLP
“I think how I’m inspired to be loyal to brands and businesses and aim to do the same. I like to feel that I’m a person, not a number. If I take the time to comment or share a post, it helps if that’s
acknowledged. “The same applies when following or buying; it’s good to feel that it’s valued.”
www.traceycolenlp.com
Find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group: www.rheafreemanpr.co.uk
British Equestrian and its eighteen member bodies have recently signed a unity pledge which outlines a commitment to improving equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the equestrian industry.
The pledge includes the following commitments: 4 to make equestrianism representative of the diverse communities around us 4 to grow a welcoming community for all who are united by a passion and
respect for the horse 4 to promote the benefits of equestrianism on mental and physical health and wellbeing. Chief Executive of British Equestrian Jim Eyre said; “If we are to open up participation for everyone to experience the unique joy horses bring, we have to do more to embrace our differences and recognise what can be possible when equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into our culture.”
