Companion Connection Program
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PAGES -- Companions and Their Horses can be accessed from these links or from the drop-down menu from the menu at the top of the page.
Horse companionship invites you to:
ENJOY
the great outdoors in the company of a horse
ENGAGE
in a relationship that offers reflection and mindfulness
DISCOVER
a friend in the heart of a horse
Ask not
what a horse can do for you...
ask what you
can do for a horse.
John F. Kennedy (paraphrased)
. PLEASE NOTE: This is a non-riding, non-therapeutic program with the emphasis on companionship.
Click here to visit the current
companions and their horses!
Companion Connection Program focuses on the importance of relationship, communication, horse handling and grooming. With an emphasis on safety, it’s ideal for new horse owners, potential horse owners and those wanting to become a horse companion.
This unique, one-on-one coaching program provides hands-on experience with practical instruction for a thorough grounding in being a horse companion. As an alternative to riding, the program establishes the human-horse relationship on the ground. Companion Connection is a program that strives to ensure that the potential horse companion feels confident and capable of being matched appropriately to a horse.
Assessments are conducted at the beginning and at the end of the program in order to gauge progress. A recommendation by the coach will be offered to determine the next step along the journey. As it is a program tailored to the individual, some participants may require additional coaching while others will be ready for a companion horse.
A preliminary survey asks the following questions to be eligible for Companion Connection Program:
Would you like to learn how to safely and confidently engage in a relationship – whether with your own horse or a companion horse?
Do you have your own transportation?
Are you 18 years or older?
Are you physically able to move quickly should a horse suddenly spook?
Will your schedule permit the coaching sessions? Sessions are 2 hours per week for a total of 8 hours; ideally over 4 consecutive weeks.
If you are successful in the program, will you devote at least one hour per week every week all year long to your companion horse?
(The coaching sessions continue in all sorts of weather conditions. In part, because of the “fair weather friends” adage, it’s important for us to know if you are willing to visit the companion horse on a weekly basis all year long.)
Interested?
Learn more about the companionship program by attending a FREE 1-hour information session at one of the farms where the coaching takes place. Call or email to book your time with one of the coaches.
Inspired?
The program is set up that each individual is coached at a location that is most convenient for them. Call or email to discover where you can start your path to horse companionship
COST: $400* 4 weeks (minimum*) - 2 hours per week extensive resource manual and final assessment included
* Subject to change
Join the membership herd!
Upon the successful completion of the program, the companions can choose to become matched to a particular horse -- usually the horse with whom the companion has been coached. Becoming a horse companion includes choosing a membership level that suits your needs based on the duration of time (varies from 1 month to 1 year). The cost of membership is based on one-hour visit per week and does include a valid membership with the Canadian Recreational Horse & Rider Association which includes in their membership a 5 million liability insurance that covers the companion while in the presence of their companion horse or while visiting the facility where the horse resides - or just about anywhere there are horses.
In addition to joining the human herd of horse companions, membership with Heart to Horse Connection includes:
Weekly visits to the companion horse (as selected by the membership level)
Special pricing for all Heart to Horse Connection activities such as EqR - Equine Reiki and workshops (TBA)
liability insurance through the Canadian Recreational Horse & Rider Association ($5 million coverage)
Discounts at select retailers (TBA - still in negotiations)
With more benefits to come!
NOTE: Within the program and membership fees, the horse owners will receive 10% of thefees to contribute to the care of the horse. Any owners who choose not to receive the contribution, the money will be donated to a horse rescue.
Please contact us for more details.
The co-creators of the program are: Dawn Sadler, Marsha Gormley and Jocelyn Grey. For more information about them, please visit Meet the Coaches page.
