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Horse Power for Ability is the trade name of Horses for Health CLG. We are a not-for-profit organisation. Chair: Dr Dorothee Debuse

Stuart Debuse

Horse Handler

Originally from a professional background in microbiology, Stuart

retrained in horticulture after his relocation to Northumberland.

When Dorothée needed assistance with training horses

specifically for hippotherapy, he spontaneously offered his help.

Since January 2009 he trained in all aspects of hippotherapy-

specific training for, and handling of, horses. Realising that he has

a real talent for working with horses, he has become the lead

horse-handler in the team.

Horses used in hippotherapy and their handlers need to have an

excellent relationship. This ensures that the hippotherapy horse

trusts its handler 100% and listens to him rather than anything or

anybody else. This is the only way to minimise any startled

reactions of the horse to sudden noises and movements (horses

have evolved over millions of years to avoid being eaten by

predators, and fast responses to sudden noises and movements

is part of their natural survival mechanism).

Horses used in hippotherapy also need to learn not to respond to

any movement on the person on their back. Such a movement

might normally mean the signal to go into trott or canter, but the

horse has to be taught to ignore this in the hippotherapy situation

and only do what the horse handler asks him to.

Stuart and Rowan and Jet have developed a wonderful

working relationship. Stuart is very calm in his work with

horses. This makes our horses very relaxed and calm

during hippotherapy.

Rowan and Jet also trust Stuart explicitly which further

reduces the risk of any “spooks”. Rowan, in particular,

oves to be long-reined , and you can see how he pays

attention to Stuart with his right ear turned towards the

back in the picture on the left.