Fusing the science of equine and human behaviour to create lasting change.
Our Goal
Our goal at EquiScholars Plus is to create impactful and compassionate therapeutic and educational programmes that benefit both humans and horses. We strive to equip mentors with the knowledge and skills needed to support children, young people, and adults, while maintaining the highest standards of welfare for the horses involved. Grounded in evidence-based frameworks such as attachment theory, polyvagal theory, elements of neuroscience, and insights from ethological studies on equine behaviour, our approach ensures that every interaction prioritises trust, respect, and the well-being of both participants and equine partners. EquiScholars Plus integrates these real-world experiences into a comprehensive framework, ensuring that mentors are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to deliver impactful, compassionate programmes. Both offerings focus on creating environments where participants and equine partners can thrive, with a strong emphasis on alignment across all areas of practice.
Our Programmes
We offer two specialised programmes under EquiScholars Plus: EquiSchools and the Early Intervention Programme.
Early Intervention Programme
A focused, one-to-one equine-assisted programme designed to support children, young people, and adults through tailored, therapeutic sessions. Built on the principles of EquiScholars Plus, this program offers a safe and nurturing environment to explore emotional regulation, resilience, and personal growth.
Through meaningful interactions with horses, participants gain a deeper connection to themselves and their emotions, supporting their journey toward improved mental well-being and life transitions
Equischools
A group programme designed to spark curiosity and a love for learning in children and young people. Rooted in the foundational principles of EquiScholars Plus, this programme nurtures emotional resilience, strengthens social skills, and build self-confidence.
With a focus on equine welfare, the programme creates a safe and engaging space where participants are encouraged to explore, connect, and develop the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond.
Our Foundational Learning
Principles at the Heart of Our Programmes
Polyvagal Theory
The theory highlights three nervous system states: safety and connection, fight-or-flight, and shutdown or freeze. These states shape how we respond to the world around us. By tuning into the felt sense—the physical sensations that signal whether we feel safe or stressed—we can better understand and regulate our own responses and those of others.
Attachment Theory & Internal Working Models
Early bonds play a crucial role in shaping how individuals perceive themselves, interact with others, and build relationships throughout life. By understanding the principles of attachment theory and internal working models, mentors explore how these early connections influence behaviour, emotional regulation, and social interactions.
Trauma Awareness
Trauma deeply impacts both the brain and body, influencing how individuals handle stress and interact with their environment. Mentors learn how trauma affects brain development, emotions, and behaviour. They’ll also explore ways to create safe spaces that promote healing and resilience for both humans and horses, helping build trust and support recovery.
The Brain – Key Functions & Development
Mentors explore how the brain grows and adapts, learning how it impacts behaviour, learning, and emotional regulation. This understanding helps explain how stress, trauma, or positive experiences shape the brain and influence responses to challenges. With this knowledge, mentors can better support growth, resilience, and well-being in the individuals and horses they work with.
The Role of Play
Play is a key part of learning and building connections. Mentors learn how play sparks curiosity, helps emotional growth, and builds resilience in both humans and horses. For children, play supports learning, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. For horses, it reflects natural behaviours, offering stress relief and building trust.
Equine Behaviour & Welfare
At the core of our programmes is a commitment to understanding and honouring the natural instincts, behaviours, and needs of horses. Our approach is uniquely shaped by expertise in equine behaviour consulting, integrating cutting-edge ethological research with hands-on activities to create meaningful connections between humans and horses.
Horses are complex, highly social prey animals with behaviours rooted in survival instincts and herd dynamics. By studying how they communicate, adapt, and respond to their environments, we gain invaluable insights not only into equine welfare but also into human behaviour. These parallels provide vital lessons in emotional regulation, trust-building, and relational dynamics.
Our activities are designed to mirror natural equine behaviours while respecting their welfare at every step. This ensures that horses are not just participants but equal partners in the learning process. By prioritising their well-being, we create environments where horses can thrive and genuinely engage with humans.
In our programmes, mentors develop the skills to interpret equine behaviours accurately, understanding how horses signal stress, comfort, and connection. This deeper awareness leads to stronger, more respectful partnerships and equips participants with tools to create safe, supportive interactions. Through this fusion of science, compassion, and expertise, we ensure that equine welfare is never an afterthought but a guiding principle that enriches every aspect of our programmes. By learning from horses, we gain profound insights into ourselves and the relationships we build.
Early Intervention Programme
Our Early Intervention Programme is a flexible and highly impactful 16-week journey designed to support mental health, emotional resilience, and social skills. While originally developed for young people, this programme is equally adaptable for adults, making it a versatile framework that caters to individuals across all ages.
Core Features of the Programme
Individualised Approach
Delivered in one-to-one sessions, the programme is highly personalised, addressing the specific needs of each participant to build healthy stress management systems, trust, and social connection.
Adaptability Across Ages
While focussed on children and young people, the programme’s principles and practices are easily adapted to adults, supporting their mental health and well-being with the same tailored and empathetic approach.
Transition and Support
A key focus is preparing participants for their next steps, whether returning to school, entering community programs, or transitioning into other life settings.
Mentors are actively present during these transitions to provide critical support.
Outcome Tracking
We utilise outcome trackers to monitor and measure progress across key areas, ensuring the program delivers tangible and meaningful results for all participants.
EquiSchools Programme
This 12-week Equischool programme is structured to address critical barriers faced by CYP (Children and Young People) who struggle with regular school attendance, often due to stress and other challenges. By leveraging neuroscience-based approaches like Polyvagal Theory and attachment principles, the programme focuses on regulating stress systems, building trust, and emotional resilience.
The condensed 12-week format ensures accessibility for more participants within the constraints of limited educational funding. By offering short, impactful interventions, it allows many CYP to benefit without the need for extended commitments that are often unfeasible for resource-strapped systems. The structure integrates experiential learning, emotional regulation, and social development, equipping CYP with skills to re-engage with education effectively.
This balance between depth and duration ensures the programme remains impactful while maximising inclusivity and reach.
Core Features of the Programme
Engaging, Equine-Focused Curriculum
Participants learn about horse behaviour, communication, and welfare through hands-on, structured sessions. This dual-purpose framework combines understanding “why” behaviours occur with learning “how” to build trust and connection.
Engaging, Equine-Focused Curriculum
Participants learn about horse behaviour, communication, and welfare through hands-on, structured sessions. This dual-purpose framework combines understanding “why” behaviours occur with learning “how” to build trust and connection.
Holistic Development
The programme nurtures skills like building healthy stress management systems, social interaction, and self-awareness, helping participants grow personally and within their communities.
Meeting Ofsted Standards
The EquiSchools program is designed not only to inspire and engage young learners but also to align with educational standards that UK schools prioritise. To support our partners, we provide comprehensive Ofsted-aligned guidance that outlines how the program meets key educational outcomes.
This documentation allows those delivering EquiSchools to confidently present the program to schools as a valuable, outcomes-based learning opportunity, fully aligned with the benchmarks that schools strive to achieve.
Discover how the EquiSchools program aligns with Ofsted’s framework, supporting personal development, academic growth, and social-emotional learning for students.
Your Training Packages Include
Early Intervention Programme
Core Theory
Full access to the EquiScholars Plus online course.
Early Intervention Framework
one-to-one, adaptable program designed for children, young people, or adults, with a focus on building healthy stress management systems, felt sense, and transitions.
Outcome Tracking
Practical tools to monitor and evaluate progress, ensuring measurable impact.
Community Access
Ongoing connection with a supportive professional network to exchange ideas.
Training Manual and Cards
Mentors receive a comprehensive training manual and a set of framework cards. These tools provide structured guidance, helping mentors stay organised and confident as they deliver the program.
Reflection and Support
Post-course review sessions to enhance delivery and ensure continuous improvement.
EquiSchools Programme
Core Theory
Full access to the Live, Instructor Led EquiScholars Plus online course.
Interactive Digestive System Model
A life-sized, interactive digestive system model designed to demonstrate key concepts such as obstructions and the fermentation process. These tactile, visual tools make complex ideas easier to understand for learners of all ages.
EquiSchools Curriculum
A structured, equine-focused learning program tailored for group delivery (up to six participants per mentor), aligning with two school terms.
Training Manuals
A detailed guide to support you through the training program and as you deliver the EquiSchools curriculum. It includes step-by-step instructions, theoretical foundations, and practical tips for success.
Horse Bones
Durable, fabric-made bones that provide an engaging way to explore equine anatomy. These hands-on tools help learners connect theory to real-world applications.
Learner Journals (6)
Custom-designed journals filled with all the information, activity sheets, and resources learners need during the EquiSchools program.
Reflection and Support
Post-course review sessions to enhance delivery and ensure continuous improvement.
Community Access
Activity Sheets and Supporting Resources
Visual aids, discussion prompts, and resources to facilitate the activities outlined in the curriculum, ensuring sessions are engaging and impactful.
Ongoing connection with a supportive professional network to exchange ideas.
Delivery Model
Our training programmes are designed for accessibility and adaptability, offering a seamless combination of foundational theory and practical application. Both programmes are delivered through structured, live online sessions, ensuring mentors gain the skills and knowledge they need to implement these frameworks effectively.
10-Week Live Online Training Course
Both programs start with the foundational EquiScholars Plus training. Delivered live, this section provides essential insights into our core principles, led by our experienced team.
Post-Training Reflections
Reflection sessions to be held at intervals after the training program to help mentors address challenges, and enhance their delivery.
Program-Specific Modules
Following the core EquiScholars Plus training, participants move on to specialised modules tailored to their chosen program—either the EquiSchools Curriculum or the Early Intervention Framework.
Community Access
All mentors gain access to our supportive community, where they can connect with peers, share insights, and receive ongoing support from mentors.
Programme Intakes and Bespoke Training Options
We have four scheduled intakes for 2025 across all our programmes, offering flexibility for mentors to choose the timing that suits them best. see below for specific intake dates.
In addition to our scheduled programmes, we also offer bespoke training packages for groups tailored to your specific needs. These can be delivered in person (UK Only) or online, making them ideal for organisations for a more customised learning experience. Our bespoke packages can be condensed into shorter timeframes, ensuring accessibility without compromising on the depth or quality of training.
Whether you’re joining a scheduled programme or opting for a personalised training package, we’re committed to providing impactful, engaging, and adaptable learning opportunities to support your goals.
Who is our Training for?
Our programs are designed for individuals and organisations passionate about making a difference through equine-supported learning and therapeutic approaches. Whether you’re new to working with young people and horses or an experienced facilitator, our programs cater to a wide range of professionals and settings:
Mentors and Coaches: Perfect for those within organisations looking to upskill, our programs provide structured, science-backed training to build confidence and expertise in delivering impactful sessions.
Therapeutic Practitioners: Tailored for those working with young people who have experienced trauma, struggle with emotional regulation, or benefit from non-traditional learning approaches.
Educators: Perfect alternative education providers looking to bring hands-on, equine-centered learning into their environments.
Online Course Pricing
Early Intervention Program
EquiSchools Program
Total Price: £999
Includes:
10 week online Course
2 x Reflection Sessions Post Course
Training Manual
Set of Programme Cards
Lifetime Community Access
Total Price: £1450 (1 Mentor), £2750 (2 Mentors)*
Includes:
10 Week Online Course
2 x Reflection Sessions Post Course
Training Manual
Curriculum, Resources & Activity Pack
1 x Interactive Digestion System Model
1 x Set of Material Horse Bones
6 x Learner Journals
lifetime Community Access
Bespoke Packages
We also offer bespoke in person and online packages for Centres that wish to receive training for groups of staff.
* For non-UK customers there may be an additional charge for postage
Training Availability
We offer training all year round, based on demand. Instead of fixed intakes, we run online training sessions regularly—just contact us to find out when the next one starts.
Need on-site training? We can come to you! Whether it’s for individuals or teams, we tailor our sessions to your needs. Get in touch today to discuss your requirements.
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Your Trainers
Kate Blackmore
Kate Blackmore is an equine behaviour consultant and Founder EquiScholars. With over 10 years of experience working with children, young people, and adults, Kate has developed her expertise through extensive hands-on practice and leadership roles in the equine-assisted learning sector.
Beyond her work with participants, Kate has managed teams of staff and volunteers within equine therapy centres, successfully facilitating organisational change across teams of over 100 people. She has also consulted with other equine centres, advising on everything from management structures to ground-level staff practices to implement EquiScholars Plus programs effectively. Her approach ensures that all team members deliver consistent, high-quality services to their clients.
In addition, Kate has provided expert guidance to equine centres on the management of their horses, addressing behavioural challenges, and creating tailored modification plans. Her focus on equine welfare and her ability to merge ethological research with practical solutions have made her a trusted advisor in the field.
Kate’s deep understanding of equine behaviour, coupled with her dedication to ethical practices, forms the foundation of the EquiScholars Plus programs. By integrating ethological research with therapeutic and educational methodologies, Kate equips mentors to deliver compassionate, impactful programs that prioritise the well-being of both humans and horses.
Claire Cottrell
Claire Cottrell serves as the Head of Therapeutic Programs for EquiScholars Plus. Holding a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology, she brings extensive experience working directly with children and young adults. As a Polyvagal-Informed Thrive Practitioner, Mentor, and Trainer, Claire specialises in creating safe, supportive environments that build emotional resilience and personal growth.
Claire has been instrumental in developing the EquiScholars Plus programs, integrating her deep understanding of psychological principles with practical applications in therapeutic settings. She has consulted extensively, supporting team members in their client interactions and delivering comprehensive training to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery. Her commitment to mentoring staff for personal and professional development has cultivated a culture of continuous growth within the organisations she works with.