THE Evolving Role of Horses in Human Health committee is running a symposium on Tuesday, November 4th at Castle Leslie which will address how Equine Assisted Services can complement existing services and the current pressures in the health, education and justice systems throughout the whole island of Ireland. This follows on from a successful symposium at Clonshire in March 2025.

“Horses and their power to heal and bring joy have always been at the heart of the Castle Leslie Estate,” said Sammy Leslie, founder of the Castle Leslie Trust. “We are excited to support the Evolving Equine collective in their goal to bring equine assisted services to all on both an all-island and local basis, making effective alternative health and wellbeing services more widely available.

“We are also working to respond to the need for equine assisted and nature-based respite for families of children with complex needs as part of an all-island network. We are working hard to bring this proposed centre to fruition in the near future at the Rose Hill Farm site, set within the Castle Leslie Estate.”

Through presentations, research and examples, attendees will gain insight into the practical ways Equine Assisted Services can fill gaps in service provision, strengthen existing programmes, and improve outcomes for individuals.

Programmes

Health, education, and social care service providers from across the island, together with Equine Assisted Service Practitioners, will present and critically discuss a suite of evidence-based programmes encompassing a comprehensive range of interventions, including Therapeutic Riding, Equine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy, and Equine Assisted Therapies (OT, PT, and SLT).

The third symposium will focus on Equine Assisted Practitioners and the wider equine community and will be held at Danescroft, Co Antrim in early 2026.