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Equine-assisted learning is a relatively new concept in New Zealand but one that proved successful since being implemented five years ago at Anna Rehab. Anna Baigent probably took the most reluctant path towards working with thoroughbred horses but now she wouldn’t change a thing. Beginning her horse affinity working with other breeds of horses she swore off thoroughbreds with their stereotypes she then reluctantly started working with the horse and soon fell in love with what they offered. Fast forward to five years ago, Anna and her mum, Maria, had four rehabbed thoroughbred horses looking at them needing a purpose, Anna Rehab was born. Only using horses who needed to be habilitated from injury and had no chance at a career as a sport horse post their racing career, Anna Rehab offers a unique experience for children to develop their skills with. Now on their property in Miranda, they have eight retired thoroughbreds who are undoubtedly changing lives.
An idea that Anna had where she dreamed about rehabbing some racehorses quickly turned into Annas Rehab catering to children with disabilities and now has extended to school children coming to visit their property in Miranda where they learn about horses and a few skills along the way. After rehabbing four horses and not wanting to let them go, Annas’ mum decided that something needed to happen with the horses and there was the dawning of Annas Rehab.
Annas’ mum, Maria is a former educator so teaching and helping is in her blood. With Annas’ talent and affection for horses being a former grounds person at well-known stables and a qualification as a vet tech and Maria’s ability to communicate and teach people(as well as her horsemanship!), they’ve created a strong duo that can only help everyone they interact with feeling empowered through the horses and the bond they’ve created and confident.
When they realized the direction that they were heading, Maria headed over to Sydney to be qualified in equine-assisted learning. She then got a lesson plan and curriculum and came home and got the final things set up ready to begin their new chapter. They knew personally the effects horses can have, Anna suffered a traumatic brain injury from an accident with a horse and the side effects of the injury were negative personality changes. Whilst recuperating at home she has Sexabeel she bonded and formed a connection when she saw a lot of herself in the horse. They had no intention of working with children but it was the way the cookie crumbled and they rolled with what happened and how things fell into place.
Anna Rehab never set out to work with thoroughbreds but it was what was in her back yard and they became the best horse for equine-assisted learning. They have become the best to work with through their nature, gentleness and empathy. They are very tough horses and do anything and everything that is asked of them and even if they have issues or reasons to not perhaps try, they still give it their absolute best. Now at Anna Rehab, the horses take their work drive to work with the children. When the horse refuses to do something because they find it scary then it helps the child to problem solve and work with the horse to achieve the goal. Thoroughbreds work so well for equine-assisted learning. Part of the thoroughbred is the workforce behind them and the desire to do their job. Once they’ve settled down at their farm and they realise what their job is they put everything into it to be the best. Even if it’s being led around or having their hoof picked out they are so strong in their work drive to perform the best – in this case by being the most patient and forgiving horse they will do everything to be the best.
The program is welcome for anyone and everyone to participate but a lot of children that come in have autism, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), mental health and post-traumatic-stress-disorder and intellectual learning disabilities. But they also do a lot of work with schools to support students with coping mechanisms to help communicate and bridge the gap, especially in the post covid world. Anna Rehab would like to progress more in schools and work with children all around to develop skills and help open lines of communication and teamwork especially. Working with each other and the horses to achieve goals only creates positive interactions and builds self-esteem and confidence.
The courses include using your voice and using confidence to direct the horse where you want the horse to go. It also helps the children put meaning and intention behind what they say. The courses start with communication and work towards teamwork having a couple of kids work with the same horse together. Having a horse doing the horse do the teaching is far more beneficial than any person can do especially with a horse being able to break down barriers and relate to some sense that people can’t.
Not every horse can go on to a life of competing and that's why Anna specifically chose horses that needed time, extensive rehabilitation and a life where they could uniquely fulfil their potential. Anna, along with the help from her mum and dad gave these horses so much more to live for, through watching the children interact with the horses at their open day recently, it was so clear to see how these horses would do anything for the person at the end of the lead rope. without Anna and her family, these horses wouldn't have the chance to change the countless lives of the adults and children that come near them.
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