More About Me | Equine Echoes

Louise Reynolds

Thanks for exploring my page.

I moved to Devon from Suffolk in 2013 with my family and various animals piled into the back of our horse lorry. Before we moved, my curiosity about the ever-deepening connection between me and my horse, Smuggler, led me to train in natural horsemanship (Monty Roberts and Intelligent Horsemanship). After I experienced first-hand the emotionally balancing effect that simply the presence of a horse can bring, I became fascinated by horses' apparent healing abilities and their non-verbal communication. After I lost Smuggler, a series of coincidences led me to the IFEEL qualification in Equine Facilitated Human Development and I graduated in November 2018 with their Level 5 Certificate (equivalent to a degree).

I noticed that my Shetland pony seemed extremely switched-on to the therapy work, and his awareness of 'intention' was more accute than my other horses. Pondering this, I wondered if more 'original' breeds of horse, closer to their wild ancestors, would be more sensitive. I took this idea to the Exmoor Pony Centre to begin some fairly rudimentary 'experiments' with their Exmoor Ponies, just to see, and soon after (early 2019) I took up an employed position there to handle the semi-feral foals, lead treks over the moor and help to run the Visitor Centre.

At the Exmoor Pony Centre these days I run 1:1 life coaching sessions as well as wellbeing sessions for groups.

Interestingly, it seems to be the same few individual Exmoor Ponies who step forwards from the herd when a client is with me.

Meeting with semi-feral herds of Exmoor Ponies out in their own environment across Exmoor have been extraordinarily powerful experiences for some clients who describe them as "like magic". Without doubt, this is my favourite way of working. Have a look at my 'Testimonials' page to see for yourself and get in touch if you're curious, or drawn to booking a 'Meeting With the Wild' experience.

My ethos is unconditional respect towards humans and equines and this sits at the very centre of my work. When taking clients to free-living herds we absolutely respect that we are visiting them in their own home and do so strictly on their terms. I only visit ponies with the permission of their owners, and only on land where I have licence to do so.

Looking recently for another location to offer experiences nearer to Barnstaple, I've been developing plans with Strawfields to work with their Shetland Ponies and, excitingly, their wonderful Alpacas Rhubarb, Mulberry, Maple and Juniper. Spending time getting to know them has been alot of fun and I can't wait to start offering Animal Assisted Therapy with them shortly.

I feel very honoured to be working in partnership with the National Trust (North Devon), the Exmoor Pony Centre and also Strawfields to deliver these experiences for people across North Devon and West Somerset.

I can arrange visits to herds across Exmoor thanks to the close links I have with Exmoor National Park, having worked with them to deliver 'Nature Connection' activities for groups and families.

I'm accredited with the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists (NCIP) and am registered with SAFE practitioners; I'm fully insured and DBS checked. All therapy sessions are strictly confidential.