Meaningful work with horses
What is riding physiotherapy?
Riding physiotherapy is one of our main occupations. We have riding physiotherapy every day of the week. And there are 220 riders who receive that therapy every single week. There are four licensed riding physiotherapists, and many volunteers who are helping out with various tasks such as leadning the horses. In addition, we have alternative education for children in primary school up to and including upper secondary school.
Tell us a little about the horses on the farm?
Yes, the horses here on the farm are therapy horses and carefully handpicked. The reason for that is that they need to be able to put up with all the different riders, who are treated based on diagnoses and behaviour. So there is a difference between our horses and horses at a riding school. At a riding school you are traing the horse, here we are training the body.
Have the horses had special training?
Yes. Most of them are older, some are younger. The most important thing for us is that they can tolerate a lot of noise and can be calm in a therapy situation – and last but not least that they can relate to the different volunteers helpers who are leading the horses.
Are the students required to have experience with horses when they come to you?
No, that is not required. And that's because the students get training here, handling the horses and the other animals. And they learn quickly. The most important thing is safety. And within 2-3 weeks, they are usually confident handling the animals.
Safe space for children
Which children come to you?
Generally it's children with various diagnoses and special needs, who need an arena where they can experience achievement. There are many different diagnoses here at Hjørgunn farm. Here, they get a break from regular school. Our strength is to adapt both activities and tasks to the children and their needs. This means that we need to work creatively. On the farm, we have a stable with 16 therapy horses and a barn with other animals. The animals are our means to interact with the children.
«Our strength is to adapt both activities and tasks to the children and their needs. This means that we need to work creatively. On the farm, we have a stable with 16 therapy horses and a barn with other animals. The animals are our means to interact with the children.»
How does it work?
We feel that our society needs an alternative arena for vulnerable children and young adults. It's meaningful for the children to come here because we really see them. They strengthen their social skills in a smaller group and they experience a sence of achievement. Many of these young people don't make friends. But here on the farm they make friends, because they are treated as equals. And this means a lot to them. Having a safe space on the farm helps them become more confident and strengthens them so they are able to tolerate a bit more when they are on the outside.
Competence transfer and learning
When and where do you meet the exchange students?
We have a Skype meeting first and get to know each other a little. And then I meet them here on the first day. I introduce them to Hjørgunn farm and to the tasks and the program. Then I accompany them into the field work. And they are together with our staff, who are working with the different service offers we provide. We usually have mentoring once a week, sometimes it's more often based on which tasks they have been given and what challenges they are facing.
Why is having students in internships on the farm a good thing?
Competence is important, and being able to be a role model. I find that very exciting and interesting. But there is also learning in being able to discuss and reflect together with the various students. Because we often come from different terrains, so it is a win-win situation in relation to learning and competence transfer. Being able to get a different angle or a different view. It is always exciting with new input.
"So they manage to make a space where the children experience joy and a sence of fulfillment throughout the day. Our entire vision is: creating an increased quality of life for individuals."
Which tasks do the students get?
Many of the students are very busy and would like to do a lot at once. But we are making slow progress here. Being calm and patient. Spending time establishing trust is the first important step when working with the children. We often see that the students are doing a great job interacting with the children and the young people. They meet them in their field of interest. They establish trust and a relationship, and they are good at adapting to the operation here with the animals and children. So they manage to make a space where the children experience joy and a sence of fulfillment throughout the day. Our entire vision is: creating an increased quality of life for individuals.
What kind of reactions are you getting from the students?
In the beginning, it takes time to find your way. Here at Hjørgunn farm, we are many people. So at first they might think: Where is my place? But as I always tell them: Give it time! After a while you will know the routins. The first task they are given is to establish trust and a relationship with the children or young adults. At the same time I ask them to observe. Observation in the first phase gives them an overview, that allows them to navigate gradually. After a week, one and a half, they have an overview and then I usually get the feedback that this is exciting and interesting, because there is so much variation in the job.
Are the children also benefiting from the presence of students in internship?
It is very interesting to find out how many English-speaking children we have. They are skilled in languages, and they find it very exciting that someone can meet them in a different language. We had a small child with autism, who didn't speak any Norwegian, only English. And the relationship between the student and the child became very strong. In the end it was the English speaking internship student who worked with that child. So it was very valuable for both. The children often think it's a lot of fun to practice English.
"We had a small child with autism, who didn't speak any Norwegian, only English. And the relationship between the student and the child became very strong. In the end it was the English speaking internship student who worked with that child. So it was very valuable for both."
Do you get more positive feedback today?
Hjørgunn farm has been here for 42 years and riding physiotherapy has been a part of our concept since the very beginning. We have had alternative education since 2015. And we see an increased demand for what we offer today. It's the municipalities who are buying therapy for the children. Now, we are also receiving requests from child welfare institutions and state-funded child welfare. So yes, the demand is greater.