For horse owners . . .
Do you have a horse who could benefit from extra love and attention?
The Companion Connection program is unique as it creates meaningful relationships between horses and people through a shared journey of presence, trust, learning and mutual benefit with a thorough grounding in safety. Unlike traditional horse activities that focus on riding or performance, Companion Connection is centred on building authentic connections with horses while supporting their emotional, social and overall well-being on the ground. This program, and the potential of companionship, does not include riding.
The success of the program depends on maintaining clear expectations, respectful communication and a consistent standard of participation for all involved. Horse owners generously open their hearts, horses and properties to make these connections possible. In return Horse Companions are entrusted with the responsibility of honouring that gift through reliability, respect and on-going communication.
The 5-week program covers four foundational areas:
relationship,
communication
horse-handling
grooming.
Each session progresses through a specific syllabus that is tailored to each companion’s comfort and experience. An extensive resource manual reinforces what is learned throughout the program. A mindfulness practice is incorporated to ensure that companions become adept at being “horse-like” by honing their sensory acuity to be present to sights, sounds, feelings/intuition and touch. For the duration of the program, Heart to Horse Connection carries liability insurance with Henry Equestrian which covers the coach, the companion, the horse owner, the property and the companion horse.
There are no fees involved with having horse companions to matched horses. An info hour is booked prior to the companion beginning the program to assess how the human and horse respond to each other. Once a companion successfully completes the program, the person is eligible for companionship on their own. Each companion chooses the length of time they are willing to commit to their companion horse (3, 7 or 12 months). The fee for companionship includes an Ontario Equestrian membership (5 million liability insurance policy) and 3 transistion sessions with the coach.
Both horse companions and owners sign a commitment agreement to ensure transparency of understanding, communication, responsibility and the ongoing relationship with the companion horse.
Heart to Horse Connection compensates the horse owner for completed session hours and a portion of the fees paid by the companion once they successfully complete the program and is eligible to be a horse companion.
Compensation is either paid monetarily or in a donation on the owner’s behalf to a horse rescue or sanctuary.
