Happy Hooves Therapeutic Riding

Happy Hooves Therapeutic Riding At Happy Hooves, we cater for children and adults of any age and abilities. Over time, we’ve seen how much more horses can offer beyond the saddle.

Therapeutic riding is at the heart of what we do—plus fun, horse-based services that support emotional and physical well-being. At Happy Hooves, we offer a range of equine-assisted services designed to support emotional, physical, and social well-being. Our primary focus is therapeutic horse riding, a tailored experience where each session is built around the individual needs of the rider. Whether it’s supporting motor skills, boosting confidence, or simply creating a joyful connection, therapeutic riding offers a gentle yet powerful way to grow, explore, and regulate—especially for children and young people with additional needs. That’s why we’ve developed our equine outreach school programme, which we have been delivering to local special needs schools and units, over the last 2 years with the help of our therapy pony, Teddy. More recently, we've expanded our services to include horse mediation—a ground-based, reflective practice where the horse becomes a mirror for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and connection. Rooted in the principles of equine-assisted therapy, horse mediation offers a unique space to slow down, ground yourself, and explore your inner world with the support of a sensitive and intuitive animal companion. We also offer mindful grooming and individualised stable management sessions. These practices offer accessible, body-based ways to build confidence, presence, and connection without the need to ride. Participants can engage in hands-on learning, calm their nervous systems, and develop meaningful relationships with the horses through grooming, yard work, and horse care. Whether in the saddle or on the ground, each session at Happy Hooves is shaped with care, compassion, and curiosity. We meet each person where they are—offering space, support, and the magic of the horse-human connection.

05/12/2025

In honour of the Volunteer Ireland Awards today, we want to take the opportunity to recognise and celebrate our wonderful volunteers past and present who help make what we do possible. Here's some beautiful moments of this past year!

03/12/2025
Some lovely photos of Stephanie from CALI Care+Learn Ireland. We waited so long to get her tiny hat delivered from the U...
28/11/2025

Some lovely photos of Stephanie from CALI Care+Learn Ireland. We waited so long to get her tiny hat delivered from the UK, but it was worth it to see her amazing smile beaming from under it and to see her enjoying her sessions every week!! We love the enthusiasm when Stephanie tells Ned or Leitrim to "Go!" Stephanie loves horse-riding and it helps make her stronger, more co-ordinated and balanced and she's able to use these necessary skills in her everyday life! 😀We've recently discovered that she also sings beautifully, so we're looking forward to hearing more of that! We're delighted to see her doing something she loves while reaping so many benefits. Well done Stephanie - we know you love it, but you also work so hard up there, so we're really proud of you! Happy Hooves are advocates of social inclusion in all of our communities and are big fans of CALI and are delighted that Alex, James and Stephanie are all enjoying their horse-riding! What a great way to start their Thursday morning! 😍

SCHOOL EQUINE OUTREACH PROGRAMME Big Thanks to Teddy and Tiny, our mini ponies, for bringing Joy to lots of children in ...
28/11/2025

SCHOOL EQUINE OUTREACH PROGRAMME

Big Thanks to Teddy and Tiny, our mini ponies, for bringing Joy to lots of children in 4 local schools with our Schools Equine Outreach Programme! Can we also give huge thanks to the National Lottery and HSE who provided the grant funding to enable it. And of course, thanks to our volunteers and lovely TY students who helped us on the outreach mornings.
We visited Marino Special School in Bray, St. Michaels Special School in Leopardstown, Ballyowen Meadows Special School in Loughlinstown and St. Augustines Special School in Blackrock. Over 100 children and around 40 school staff participated across 4 schools, receiving tailored sessions designed to support wellbeing, engagement, communication, and regulation.
The children engaged with the ponies, touched and groomed them, experienced the calm of being with them, got to see them eating, got to lead them in their school gardens and did little obstacle courses with them using our little Go/Stop traffic sign! We had great FUN!!!
Based on teacher, SNA and parent feedback, children experienced:
• Improved regulation (settling faster after transitions; calmer body language)
• Greater engagement (active participation, increased eye contact, smiles, vocalisations)
• Enhanced communication (spontaneous speech, gestures, social initiations)
• Reduced anxiety in schoolyard or outdoor environments
• Improved confidence and independence
• Positive sensory experiences they were able to tolerate and enjoy without overwhelm
• Development of co-regulation skills through the pony’s rhythmic breathing and movement
Thanks again to our wonderful ponies who were so patient and willing – they love their job! And fingers crossed that we receive the grant again next year so the ponies can continue to bring joy, positivity, increased regulation, well-being and confidence to children in our community!












24/11/2025

💫OUR JEDI TOMMY💫
KICKING OF THE WEEK JEDI STYLE…’THE FORCE IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE!’ 🚀
With each therapeutic ride Tommys confidence, core strength, balance & coordination has improved beyond belief! Such trust, courage & zest for life💪 All supported by the ‘Heart to Hoove Connection’.

21/11/2025

🤩AMAZING GRACE🤩

14/11/2025

So proud of Alex from CALI: Care + Learn Ireland, but most importantly that he’s proud of himself 💪
A joy & honour to witness his progress. With each therapeutic ride has come on leaps & bounds! With increased confidence, improved core strength, balance & coordination. As well as developing new social skills, trust, courage & self belief. All supported by the ‘Heart to Hoove’ connection. This is what it’s all about folks!
Alex you have such magic in you, wonderful to see you strong, glowing & enjoying life❤️

🐴😊HAPPY HOOVES RAIN OR SHINE😊🐴We Support Every-Body no matter the weather! So proud of Alex from CALI: Care + Learn Ire...
14/11/2025

🐴😊HAPPY HOOVES RAIN OR SHINE😊🐴
We Support Every-Body no matter the weather! So proud of Alex from CALI: Care + Learn Ireland, but most importantly that he’s proud of himself 💪
A joy & honour to witness his progress. With each therapeutic ride has come on leaps & bounds! With increased confidence, improved core strength, balance & coordination. As well as developing new social skills, trust, courage & self belief. All supported by the ‘Heart to Hoove’ connection. This is what it’s all about folks!
Alex you have such magic in you, wonderful to see you strong, glowing & enjoying life❤️

Thanks to our fabulous riders who got into the Halloween Spirit today, despite the rain!!
20/10/2025

Thanks to our fabulous riders who got into the Halloween Spirit today, despite the rain!!

Address

Killegar Stables, The Scalp
Enniskerry
A98C7Y0

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 2pm

Telephone

+353876982393

Website

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