Joanna was initially trained in Poland and has over 15 years’ experience as a riding instructor, as a trained hippotherapist and equine therapist.

 

Her education and qualifications include: College Foundation Course in Social Work, Recreation Qualification within Hippotherapy and Qualification within Alternative Communication, all undertaken in Poland and EFPL Qualification, UK.

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About Me

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“What I do is something that has been in my heart for as long as I can remember, from my first childhood memories to the present day. I live my dream and understand the privilege of being blessed with such a gift.

 

I first sat on a horse when I was 8 years old. I can remember this instant as if it were a moment ago, it was life changing .  I can see the old wooden barn and its casting shadow. I can hear the leaking roof, and the neighing of a dozen horses within. Each I came to know well, and their names echo through the years to today.  26 years later the magic of the spirit of the horse gifted to me burns brighter than ever.

 

Perhaps I was very lucky as my first experience, my first horse ride, as he was perfect in bearing, pose and personality.  My journey thereafter was not a flower filled meadow and wind-swept rides, but troubled and challenging as my parents left each other and I flip-flopped between the 2 of them and from stable to stable.    My memories then were not so sweet, the echoes were of unwelcoming people, of raised voices, whispering in corners, of judgement and being judged.   A lonely 8, 9, 10-year-old child trying to pursue her passion, not wearing the right clothes, parents not in attendance and often shunned by those around me.   This seemed at odds to the giving and loving spirit of the horses that bought us all together.

 

I had no money, nor did my parents have money for the right clothes, for lessons and questioned the time (which was all my spare time) I spent walking to the stables, at the stables and the long walk home afterwards.  Amongst the noise, the hurt, I never gave up on my dream.

 

This dream became enriched one morning when I looked on at a session in the arena where the tutor was supporting, gently encouraging, and patiently listening to a disabled child riding for their first time.  This was the moment hippotherapy came into my vocabulary and into my life.  Over the next few days, which became weeks, months and then years, I watched selfless therapists working with children and adults whose challenges made my loneliness and lack of clothes, lessons and opportunity seem selfish in context.   One afternoon I found 10 seconds of bravery to ask the tutor about what she was doing and how I could help, learn, and do what they do.  I feared and anticipated being rebuffed, thought I would be knocked down and back, but no.  The tutor simply smiled and handed me the reigns, “Hold her gently” she looked to the horse “Listen to her, feel her, allow you to be led by her”.  This is someone that understood the spirit of the horse and carried it within them too, I had found my home, my vocation.

 

In the year 2000 I completed my hippotherapy qualifications and since this date I have worked with a multitude of children where I hope to make a difference to each of them, just as each one makes a difference to me and leaves their indelible mark.   I now live in Gloucestershire with my husband, our 4 boys, 3 horses, 2 ponies, 3 Shetlands, 3 dogs, 3 mini-pigs, 7 sheep, a dozen chickens and a cat.  I live the dream.  Every animal has their own spirit and as with our horses are used at the therapy centre I run.  During the pandemic I extended my qualifications and interests into equine therapy, and amidst all the sadness of the 2020 - 2021 I met a magical couple that have also taken me down the path of natural Horsemanship.

 

What have I learnt? Not to judge, not to give up on hope, to dream and to not take for granted any privilege or gift bestowed upon you.   I hope I can offer a moment of peace and hope within an environment where judgment carries no weight and has no platform to be heard.”