Reconnect, Realign, Renew - A Taster Session of Horse Guided Life Coaching in Nature

Join us for a relaxed guided taster morning and experience the transformative power of equine assisted life coaching for yourself, all based on the ground (no riding involved).

What to Expect 

Come and spend a morning outdoors, with time to reconnect with what truly matters to you.  You'll discover how life-coaching facilitated with horses works and spend time with horses, seeing how their interaction with people gives us insight and answers to the deeper questions that we have about our wellbeing and our lives.  You'll walk away with immediate take-aways, including how horses give:

• Feedback and insights on the alignment of your thoughts, feelings and actions
• Uncover inner roadblocks that stop you from showing up fully as yourself
• Make decisions clearly
• Next steps to renew your wellbeing

Why Horses? 

For centuries, humans have discoverd that horses in their most natural state are perfect partners for companionship and two way communication.  They are highly intuitive creatures who understand our emotions, intentions, and energy with remarkable accuracy (often better than we do as our minds, thoughts and second guessing can get in the way).  As collaborative herd animals, they see what's important to us, and provide us with immediate, honest and  kind feedback that we can integrate into our decision making and feelings. No matter what our experience of horses (from never having been near one to working with them daily) they offer us a profound opportunity for self-reflection, (re)aligning what feels authentic, and a safe space to experiment with different ways to show up.  

What you will leave with:

• A memorable experience of horses showing humans their best next steps in their daily life
• An understanding of why horses are helpful to us to guide coaching
• A demonstration and safety brief with the horses - which covers all levels of horse experience
• A morning out in nature with 2 horses to help out (there may be an indoor or outdoor arena)
• Either, a direct experience of professional coaching and an observation of 1 live coaching session, or an observation of 2 live professional coaching sessions with horses.
• A gently held group exercise for you to find answers to how to reconnect, realign and renew yourself - catering for introverts and extroverts (no one will be forced to share!)

There is a lot of information below, please scroll down for FAQs, details about our coaches, location and testimonials.

FAQs

Will I need to ride a horse? 
No riding, no horse experience necessary. All coaching activities take place on the ground. Any level of horse experience is welcomed, as the way we relate to horses during coaching is different to riding or horse training.  Full instructions will be given on the day to those who volunteer to be coached.

Will I be coached?
There is an option for one or two people to have an individual session with a horse, facilitated by Martina or Joanna. Not everyone needs to do this which allows those who would prefer to observe to do so, and those who would like this rare opportunity to experience a taster of personal coaching to step forward. You'll be invited to bring an issue or problem in life that you would like to be coached on should the opportunity arise.

Who is this for?
In a word, anyone!  Like ordinary life coaching, it is for those seeking answers to their questions about life, what to do in a challenging situation or how to move forward in a way that delights and inspires them.  
Some definitions may help: 
Life Coaching: A specialized form of coaching focusing on personal development, enabling individuals to enhance their life experience, gain clarity, and boost confidence. Life coaches support clients in understanding their next steps, whether it's creating actionable plans to improve relationships, career, or overall wellbeing or to know what to pay attention to or notice. 
Team or Executive Coaching: A collaborative, solution-focused, and results-oriented process aimed at improving performance, achieving goals, and fostering personal or professional growth. It is a future-oriented partnership that helps individuals navigate challenges and identify their own solutions.
Equus Coaching: works exceptionally well with both types of coaching above, but allows the horse to show us what we most need to focus on or which course of action is best for us as the horse reads the subtleties that underlying our thinking and feeling.
NOTE.  Equus coaching is not equine therapy, for those wanting or needing psychotherapy, nor therapeutic riding (for those with disabilities).  

How do I bring a friend for free?
Simply select this ticket option and your 'plus one' will be added to our list of attendees for free.

Who are the RDA and how is this event supporting the RDA?
We are delighted to donate £5 from every ticket to The Riding for the Disabled Association is a United Kingdom based charity founded in 1969 focused on providing therapeutic horse-riding, equestrian vaulting and carriage driving lessons to people with developmental and physical disabilities as well seeking to improve the lives of those with mental health difficulties.  Please note Equus Coaching with Joanna and Martina is separate from the RDA.  However, we sometimes work in conjunction with their horses.

Will there be refreshments?
Not on this occasion.  You are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks.

What should I wear?
Please wear solid shoes or boots (hiking boots or paddock boots are ideal) that cover your toes, and trousers. Warm layers, waterproofs, sun cream and hats are recommended as it can be windy up at the stables - bring one more layer than you think you'll need is generally advised. Check the weather forecast for the day.

Is this for teams (corporate, work based, charity etc) or individuals?
The work we will do with volunteers will be one to one.  However, if you work for a team and are interested in finding out more about Equus Coaching one to one work is often part of the work we provide for teams, and the information and teaching we will provide on the day is the same whether we work with a team, a group of individuals, or individuals in one to one sessions. It's a great opportunity to find out more!  And Martina and Joanna will be on hand to answer any questions you have about your own team or situation.

I can't make the date - do you have more?
Yes! We are running a sister event on 23 June at Widbrook Equestrian Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.  See link for details:  tinyurl.com/equustaster-jun-26

I have further questions...
Please contact the event organiser using the tab at the bottom of this page. We will be happy to answer any questions you have.  

What do previous clients and volunteers say about Equus Coaching?
"It's like a magic wand!" - Inger Kenobi, author

"It was nothing short of incredible. It felt so comfortable, easy and natural at the same time! Because of the session I feel more confident, centred and grounded in my everyday life – which was the aim I chose for my session.  It was wonderful to see how the horses responded to shifts in my energy and gave me such great feedback and clarity about my actions and mindset in areas I struggle. I have gone on to use these thought processes in my day to day life and it has really helped me achieve my desired outcome of feeling more centred and grounded and confident." - Hayley H

"Before my Equus Coaching Session I didn’t quite know what to expect. But since the session I have altered how I deal with things that make me anxious, and particularly the way I present ideas to others. It was like a reboot, a cupboard clearout for your head!  The horse just seemed to know exactly when my heart wasn’t ‘in’ something, and reflect that back. It was enlightening, much deeper than the CBT I’d had previously, and I have practical strategies to deal with the anxiety.  It also helped me realise that I can be a people pleaser which can be fine - but sometimes I need to do what I really want, not just enjoy being with family doing what they want or suggest!  If you’re thinking about doing it then go for it whether you are “horsey” or not. It’s not counselling or therapy, but rather realising how to deal with what life throws at you." - Julia L

Whether you're exploring this type of coaching and being in nature for yourself, or investigating on behalf of a team you work with or for your family, this is a great way to experience horse guided life coaching in a small, supported group.

About Your Coaches

Martina Hodges-Schell and Joanna Shipley come from very different coaching backgrounds, which enables them to help people in all walks of life to help them focus on what they want, and how to get there.  Whether you're dealing with career moves, personal family issues, major transitions, relationships, living arrangements (or anything else!), we have you covered. 

Meet Joanna

Joanna specialises in helping mid-lifers and empty nesters who know deep down, their current life no longer fits (or never did). They’re ready to stop drifting or settling. Together, we identify and bring their inner longings to life—shaping and implementing a heart-expanding next chapter that feels meaningful and truly their own. She also works with groups of health practitioners (such as homeopaths) and leadership teams.

Joanna is a Wayfinder Master Life Coach, Coach Instructor, Equus Coach and Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She is also a Resilient Leaders Consultant. A somewhat wiggly career has taken her through being an economist, working for the NHS and private health sector as a marketing manager, an army officer, homeopath and lecturer, and finally a professional life coach for the last 8 years. She began her Equus Coach training in 2019 and loves the gift these wise and huge hearted animals bring us. She lives in Wiltshire, with her husband and teenage boys and her working cocker spaniel, Cora.

Meet Martina

Martina helps people navigate change, reconnect with their creativity, and create lives that feel authentic, aligned, and joyful.

Blending a background in design, innovation, emerging technology, and human-centred leadership with equine-assisted coaching, she creates transformative experiences where horses, nature, and deep reflection help people cultivate greater self-awareness, clarity, confidence, and presence. Her work offers a safe, grounded space for meaningful growth and lasting inner change, combining deep empathy, honest reflection, and transformative insight to help people live more fully, authentically, and in alignment with what matters most.

Martina holds an MA in Applied Imagination, is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and an Equus Coach Master Facilitator.