Beyond Forward Facing: Movement in Therapeutic Horsemanship (CPD)

An interactive and experiential CPD day for Therapeutic Riding Coaches to deepen your understanding of movement.
About this Event

BEYOND FORWARD FACING

It is not just where we sit. It is how we move. Look again. Feel the difference. Explore the possibilities.

As Therapeutic Riding Coaches, we know that the horse's movement is central to what we do. But how often do we stop to consider how positioning, support and the quality of that movement influence the rider's experience? Join us for an interactive and experiential CPD day that invites you to look beyond familiar approaches, challenge your observations and deepen your understanding of movement.

Workshop Focus

This CPD day aims to enhance the understanding, confidence, and observational skills of Therapeutic Horsemanship practitioners, encouraging a more informed appreciation of equine movement, positioning, and teamwork.

The emphasis throughout will be on safe, thoughtful practice within the existing competencies and professional scope of TH coaches and practitioners.

• A day to experience, reflect, question, and bring fresh perspectives back to your practice.
• Explore forward-facing and backward-facing positioning, the relationship between horse, leader, and rider, and why sometimes less really is more.
• Facilitator: Audrey Darby, Paediatric Occupational Therapist.

** Please note: This event needs a minimum of ten sign-ups to proceed. **

For queries please contact [email protected]

Workshop Timetable

10:00–10:30 | Arrival and Registration

Tea, coffee, and informal networking.

10:30–11:30 | Session 1: Understanding Movement and the Nervous System

Interactive presentation and discussion

Introduction to the Developmental Triangle and the foundations of nervous system organisation.

Understanding vestibular and proprioceptive processing.

The relationship between equine movement, regulation, postural control, and sensorimotor integration.

Exploring the rationale for forward-facing and backward-facing positioning.

11:30–11:45 | Morning Break

11:45–12:15 | Session 2: Exploring Positioning and Support

Practical workshop using barrels

• Comparing forward-facing and backward-facing positions.
• Pelvic alignment, base of support and postural organisation.
• Exploring backward prop and appropriate positioning supports.
• The influence of rollers, pads and cushions on positioning and freedom of movement.
• Understanding the importance of providing appropriate support without unnecessary restriction.

12:15–13:00 | Session 3: The Movement Connection — Leader, Horse, and Rider

Practical demonstration and guided observation

• Exploring how the horse leader's pace, rhythm and energy influence the horse's movement.
• Observing changes in stride, tempo, and movement quality.
• Understanding how the quality of the horse's movement influences the rider's experience.
• Exploring the complementary roles of the coach, horse leader, and side-walker.
• Communication, observation, and teamwork in creating a safe and purposeful movement experience.

13:00–13:45 | Lunch and Networking

13:45–15:15 | Session 4: Experiencing Movement — Positioning in Practice

Mounted experiential workshop and guided group observation

• Experiencing and observing forward-facing and backward-facing positioning on a moving horse.
• Exploring the influence of positioning on pelvic movement, postural responses, and sensory experience.
• Observing how variations in the horse's rhythm and movement influence the rider.
• Exploring appropriate physical support and the side-walker's role in facilitating movement.
• Considering how simple equipment and activities can be incorporated without compromising postural organisation.
• Exploring the principle of less is more — recognising when the movement itself may be the most valuable part of the session.

Participants will have opportunities to experience, observe, and discuss the movement of the horse from different perspectives. Mounted participation will be optional and subject to individual suitability, horse welfare, and safety considerations.

15:15–15:30 | Session 5: Reflection, Questions and Closing

• Key learning points and practical applications for Therapeutic Horsemanship.
• Questions and group discussion.
• CPD sign-off and close.

About Audrey Darby

Audrey is a qualified Occupational Therapist. She spent the early part of her career working in multiple specialities such as hands and plastics, neurological rehabilitation, orthopaedics, and general medicine. Audrey specialised in Paediatrics, working with children with complex needs from age 0-12 in a preschool and school setting.

Audrey is passionate about how the unique movement of the horse can be adapted and used to facilitate maturation of the neurological systems in a child and support development. She believes the equine environment is unparalleled in its value as a therapeutic platform for Occupational Therapy, from the movement of the horse to the horse-human connection, to caring for animals in nature.

Audrey has studied with the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), presented in conferences across the world on the topics of the effectiveness of Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy (EAOT), and the benefits to families of Equine Assisted Services.

As a member of Svitani – Academy of Equine Assisted Services, Audrey is one of an international group of experts in the field of EAS who provide education and mentoring in the field. She is actively involved in the European Equine Assisted Therapy Network (EEATN) – a dynamic group of European Therapists (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Speech & Language Therapy and Psychomotor Therapists) who aim to support standards of education, and work on collaborative EAS projects / research to deepen the knowledge base in this specialised field.

Audrey is a CORU registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI).