The Horse Beside You - Nature-Based Support for Parents of Children with Special Needs

"The Horse Beside You" is a free program for parents of children with special needs. The program aims to help parents reduce stress, restore inner balance and create space for themselves. Sessions of about 2 hours are in small groups of up to 8 people. It includes working with horses from the ground, as well as breathing, relaxation and presence exercises. No riding is provided and no experience with horses is required. The program is free, parents have to sign up and commit to attend at least 3 sessions. 

Program Objective
The sessions aim to:
• release accumulated stress;
• achieve calmness;
• regulate emotions;
• restore internal balance;
• connect with oneself;
• sense of personal boundaries and independence;
• restore inner strength;
• build resilience in everyday life;
• increase confidence.
Working with horses supports these processes in a natural way - through presence, attention and interaction without pressure.

What are the sessions?
The sessions include exercises with and around horses, as well as breathing, relaxation and grounding practices. No horse riding or riding is planned.
The work with horses is entirely from the ground and may include:
• petting and contact with horses;
• grooming and care;
• leading and following;
• passing through obstacles;
• giving treats;
• free interaction and observation.
In parallel with this, the following are done:
• breathing exercises;
• relaxation and grounding practices;
• short guided processes for awareness and presence.

All sessions are held entirely outdoors and last about 2 hours.

Individual and group work
Within each session, there are both individual and group practices.

Individual work is focused on you and your specific needs. It allows for focused work with the horses and the facilitator.

Group work allows you to:
• feel in a community;
• share with people who are going through similar experiences;
• receive support and understanding.

When does the program take place?

Classes are held once a week on weekends (Saturday or Sunday). They are organized once every 2 weeks.​

All classes are held entirely outdoors and last about 2 hours.

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Where does the program take place?
Sessions are held at the 4RANCH farm - the home of the Paint and Quarter Horse Foundation Bulgaria.
The farm is surrounded by nature located in the Sredna Gora region - 50 km. from Sofia and 38 km. from Pirdop. The farm is accessible only by car, the road is asphalt. It provides a peaceful and quiet environment, away from the city noise. Horses are raised in close to natural conditions, with constant access to space and movement, which is the basis of our work with them.
The animals are selected and prepared to work with people, with respect for their nature and behavior.

Why is the program free?
Since 2020, we have been conducting free therapeutic riding for children with special needs. In this process, we have repeatedly seen how important the role of parents is.
Caring for a child with special needs brings with it additional physical and mental stress. Support for parents is directly related to the well-being of the entire family and children.

Research in the field of family psychology and developmental psychology describes the relationship between the state of parents and the development of children - improving the mental well-being of parents leads to better outcomes in children, including emotionally and behaviorally.

A calmer and supported parent has more resources and strength to care for their child.

Who leads the program?
The classes are led by two facilitators - Mina Raduncheva and Svetoslav Radev. Since the foundation was established, Mina has been working with children with special needs through therapeutic horse sessions, together with volunteers and Svetoslav. The two develop and implement various practices for working with horses - both from the ground and on their backs, work with children and adults, and participate in international projects related to outdoor activities.

How to register?
Fill out the registration form and we will contact you. All participants will be sent the dates of the sessions and the exact location of the 4RANCH farm.

Places are limited. Due to the expected interest, please register only if you are able to participate in at least three meetings.