Horse Ownership Foundations Program

 A safe, supportive introduction to horses for new or returning owners.

 Many people dream of owning a horse, but feel unsure, overwhelmed, or worried about “getting it wrong”. The Horse Ownership Foundations Program at Laurel Park Equine Therapy provides a calm, structured pathway for adults, teens and families to learn the essentials of safe, ethical horse care before taking the step into ownership.

This program is designed for complete beginners, returning riders and anyone wanting to build confidence and practical skills using our calm, reliable horses in a low‑pressure environment.

 Program Overview

 The Horse Ownership Foundations Program is a 4–6 week, hands‑on learning experience that blends confidence‑building groundwork with essential horse‑care knowledge. All sessions are ground‑based only, trauma‑informed and centred around safety, clarity and calm connection.

Participants learn:

• How horses communicate
• How to handle and interact safely
• Daily care and management
• Recognising common health issues
• Feeding and nutrition basics
• What to look for when buying a horse
• How to decide if horse ownership is the right fit

By the end of the program, participants feel confident, informed and empowered to make safe, ethical decisions about horse ownership. 

 Who This Program Is For

  This program is ideal for:

• Adults wanting to get into horses for the first time
• Parents considering buying a pony for their child
• People returning to horses after many years
• Anyone wanting to learn safely before committing financially
• NDIS participants exploring animal‑assisted activities
• Individuals wanting to build confidence around horses in a calm, supportive setting

No previous horse experience is required. 

 What You'll Learn

 1. Safety, Body Language & Confidence Basics

• Understanding how horses think and communicate
• Approaching, haltering and leading safely
• Personal space, boundaries and calm presence
• Building confidence through simple, achievable groundwork tasks

2. Daily Care & Handling Skills

• Grooming and safe tying
• Picking up feet and recognising hoof health
• Identifying signs of tension, stress, or relaxation
• Establishing safe, respectful handling habits

3. Horse Health & Injury Recognition

• Common injuries and when to call a vet
• Basic first‑aid principles
• Recognising pain, discomfort or behavioural red flags
• Understanding routine care: farrier, dentist, worming, vaccinations

4. Feeding, Nutrition & Paddock Management

• What horses actually need (and what they don’t)
• Hay, pasture, hard feed, supplements
• Laminitis risks and safe grazing
• Water, fencing, shelter and paddock safety

5. Groundwork Skills for Future Owners

• Leading with confidence
• Yielding hindquarters/forequarters
• Backing, stopping and calm connection
• Reading early signs of overwhelm or confusion

6. Buying a Horse: Making Safe, Informed Decisions

• Costs  and time commitments
• Choosing the right horse for your experience level
• Red flags when viewing horses
• Where to find safe, suitable horses
• How to avoid common (and costly) mistakes

 Optional Add‑On: Horse Purchase Support Service 

For participants who complete the program and feel ready to take the next step, Laurel Park Equine Therapy offers an optional Horse Purchase Support Service.

This service helps you:

• Clarify your needs, goals, and confidence level
• Understand what type of horse is suitable for your experience
• Avoid unsafe or unsuitable horses
• Review sale ads with professional guidance
• Identify red flags in behaviour, conformation, or management
• Shortlist appropriate horses
• Attend viewings with support (in‑person or virtual)
• Make a safe, informed final decision

This is a calm, ethical, welfare‑focused service designed to protect both the new owner and the horse.

What This Service Is Not

• Not a horse‑finding “broker” service
• Not behavioural rehabilitation
• Not training, starting or re‑training horses
• Not a guarantee of suitability — but a structured, safety‑focused process

It is a supportive, professional partnership to help you choose wisely and confidently.

 Program Format 

•  4‑week or 6‑week program
• Weekly 60–75-minute sessions
• One‑on‑one or small group (max 3)
• Using our calm, experienced horses
• Optional: printed or digital workbook
• Optional: Horse Purchase Support Service

All sessions take place at Laurel Park in a quiet, supportive environment designed to help participants learn at their own pace. 

 Why Choose This Program 

•  Calm, low‑pressure learning environment
• Trauma‑informed, person‑centred approach
• Groundwork‑only, low‑risk sessions
• Ethical, welfare‑focused horse handling
• Practical skills you can use immediately
• Helps prevent costly or unsafe horse purchases
• Builds confidence, clarity, and capability

This program is not a riding school and does not include riding lessons. It is designed to prepare people for safe, confident horse ownership from the ground up.