Horse therapy from Rupert benefits Sambrook House residents

When care home owner Neil Robson came back from his holidays to find out that a horse had been booked to visit his residents, he understandably had his reservations.

However, Rupert the horse is no ordinary four legged beast.

Mr Robson is the owner of Sambrook House residential care home, and has had the horse visit the home twice in the last year, and hopes to make further bookings in the future.

Animal therapy has been acknowledged to have a positive effect on people, with autistic children, stressed students and the elderly all benefitting from the relaxation that animals can bring.

Rupert is part of the Equine Interactive team at Be-Equine, which is based in Shropshire and run by Elaine Whalley.

Mr Robson described Rupert the horse and said: “He was a beast of a horse, a lot larger than I first imagined. Rupert had some strange human like qualities, which were a delight to watch. He was completely calm, laid back and most of all professional.”

“It was quite an event for our residents, when he arrived he behaved like a normal horse but when his owner put a special harness on he immediately knew he was at work.”

Recounting his initial thoughts about inviting a horse into the home, which cares for up to 28 residents, Mr Robson said: “When I first heard that he had been booked to attend the home, I had my reservations. I thought he might kick or get twitchy, create a mess or injure someone, he is after all a fully grown horse.”

However Rupert successfully charmed both residents and care assistants with his calm nature within the unique environment.

“He had an almost magical connection with five or six of the residents, with one resident he bowed down to allow her to rest her forehead on his head, where they both remained for over five minutes, it was so special to watch. Both the resident and Rupert seemed completely calm. It was amazing how some residents could just completely relate to him, and he seemed to understand them back.”

“Even when he was reversing in the home or outside, he had an awareness of where he was going and what he was nearby, he really was a very aware horse.

“He relates completely to older people, and the bond between him and he owner is amazing. It is clear his owner saw something in him. He is one in a million, and so is the owner for having that special bond and using it for such good.”

Rupert’s owner, Elaine has sent the last five years retraining Rupert in order to create a relationship that is based on trust and respect.

The duo offer interactive experiences to care homes throughout the country that can be tailored to individual needs, performing tricks such as kicking a ball, dressage to music and allows people of all ages and abilities to groom and stroke him.

Mr Robson said: “It was not what I expected the visit to be like at all because it started with Rupert happily allowing his feet to be washed in preparation for him to come into our home. There were no problems at all with having the half tonne animal to visit.”

The innovative care home has not only welcomed horses into their home, and Mr Robson explained: “In the past we have had owls, birds of prey, dogs and even reptiles and spiders come to visit. I was not taken by the spiders but some of our residents clearly enjoyed the visit by the creepy crawly animals.”

“The service provided by Rupert was talked about for a long time after by residents, and indeed is still talked about when photos we have of him throughout the home bring back fond memories of the event.

“After the success of his first visit I have booked him again and hoped he would be able to visit our summer fair but he has already been booked up, busy horse!”

For more information visit: http://www.be-equine.co.uk/equine-interaction