About EAQ Horse for Courses
EAQ Horses for Courses was established at the beginning of 2016 at Oak Farm, Tedburn St Mary, an organic working farm, easily accessed from the A30 and just six miles west of Exeter, Devon.

The centre has three Dales ponies and two Dartmoor Hill ponies as well as cattle, sheep, cats, dogs, ponds, woodland, vegetable garden and meadows which the learners can explore according to their leanings and interests. There is a kitchen-classroom for breaks, study, cooking and shared lunches.

A wheelchair accessible pony cart can take individual participants around the farm to enable those unable to access the countryside to experience the natural environment and picnic in the meadow.

The centre prides itself on being flexible and able to respond to the needs of participants in whatever form that may take.

Since 2016, EAQ Horses for Courses Oak Farm has run a monthly Farm Club for Young Carers aged 8-13 years. This enables the children to have some down-time, improve their social skills, interact with the horses and farm animals in general and experience a year on the farm. Pupils from a special school in Exeter attend for weekly sessions, ages range from 13 to 16 years.

Individual clients attend for equine facilitated therapy, equine assisted learning or farm experiences.

The centre is run by Jem Gladwell who trained with EAQ in 2015 and holds a BA(Hons) Counselling Diploma. She has also completed specialist health and safety training and is an EAQ Certified Facilitator.

Jem has farmed organically with her husband for 25 years and has always wanted to extend the life enhancing, reviving qualities of this life to others. She completed a counselling diploma in 2013 and now combines her love of the natural world with the healing effects of good listening which she brings to her work with learners, along with a sense of fun and joy at seeing people relax and unwind during their sessions.

Jem is assisted by Jonquil Stapleton, EAQ trained in 2012, and Michele Walden, who studied EAQ Horse Awareness in 2015/16 and has a certificate in counselling.

Specialisms:
​​​​​​Experience with autism, anxiety, social skills. developing life skills, healthy eating, social inclusion.

The centre is able to offer national qualifications at Entry 3 and Level 1 through EAQ's accreditation with OCNLR.

Testimonials:

"We have been working with Horses for Courses for a year or so now. The students who have taken part have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and have grown in self-confidence as well as learning lots about teamwork and different life skills. The Horses for Courses team are very flexible and accommodating and I would thoroughly recommend using them." Donna Parsons, Deputy Head Teacher, Southbrook School.

“Every child who has come to Farm Club has clearly gained in confidence, we can see the ripple-out effect in their lives: with confidence to join other groups & amongst their peers. It has provided experiences and a level of freedom the children would not usually have in their lives.” S Lindley: Lead Practitioner for Young Carers in Exeter and Teignbridge

“I never even thought Farm Club could be so fun!” A participant!