A west Co. Cork care farm has introduced a new therapeutic horse-riding service aimed at young teens who struggle with their education experience.

'Giddy Up and Go' was devised by Sandra Schmid of Hairy Henry Care Farm, for 13-17 year-olds dealing with infrequent attendance, school refusal, anxiety in school, or trying alternatives such as home schooling.

A German native, Schmid is a qualified social worker who left her job with Tusla after training as a therapeutic horse riding coach.

She started her small care farm at Ballylickey, Bantry in 2013.

She said: "At first I only offered therapeutic horse riding, then also therapeutic activities with the other animals.

"We now have sheep; donkeys; goats; hen; a goose; rabbits; guinea pigs; dogs and of course, horses."

The programme supports teens to learn practical skills in a farming environment and in the equine sector.

This is combined with personal development to help teens grow in confidence, social skills, emotional resilience and stress management skills, aimed at promoting a sense of achievement and importance.

On completion of the programme, there is an option for the teens to return to the farm to train for the first stage of an equine qualification offered through the British Horse Society.

"This can be a first stepping stone to a professional career in the equine sector," Schmid said.

She explained that school attendance issues are a big problem nationwide with one-in-five students missing a month or more of school every year, which has a direct impact on their career opportunities, mental and emotional health and social skills.

Funding

Schmid added: "Unfortunately, there is no funding for our programme available.

"The programme is free for attendees as we want to make it easily accessible to them, but that means we have to fundraise to cover the €20,000 cost of running the programme.

"We ran it as a pilot this spring March to June 2026, and we hope to run it again in 2027, depending on funds becoming available," the Hairy Henry founder said.

Regular fundraising events are run throughout the year and Schmid also undertakes a fundraiser ride every summer.

"This year my ride took me through Mayo and Connemara, and we raised €2,000, which is a good start to collect funds for the 2027 programme," she said.

Schmid has availed of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

"So I was able to get a couple of grants through the Heritage Council and Cork County Council to help with the restoration of two 200-year-old stone buildings and an old well on the farm," she explained

Community hospitals

Schmid also works with community hospitals in Kinsale, Bandon, Fermoy, Skibbereen, and Clonakilty on a fortnightly or monthly basis, bringing in her animals to interact with patients.

They include the small farm animals such as sheep, a donkey, goats, chicken, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs and a small pony and pigs.

The team visit other hospitals and nursing homes in the wider Co. Cork area a few times a year such as St Stephen's Hospital in Cork, Farranlea nursing unit in Cork, and Conna nursing home.

They also visit schools every summer, day care centres and residential homes for Cope Foundation.

Looking to the future Schmid said: "There are always so many plans, but never enough time to make them all happen.

"My biggest plan is to try and attract a long-term sponsor or funding source for our 'Giddy Up & Go' programme so that we have financial security in running this programme annually."

In the absence of any big funding sources, the Hairy Henry Care Farm is running another fundraiser event on December 6.

Schmid "We plan to have a show day where all riders who come here regularly can show off their skills in a no pressure celebratory show.

"This will be followed by a Christmas event where all families are welcome to spend the afternoon meeting our enchanting animals, enjoying pony rides and spending a festive time on our wintery farm.

"I also set up a GoFundMe to help with our costs."

Schmid is currently trying to set up a group aimed at young families with their toddlers to experience the farm and horses in a meaningful educational way.

She runs workshops for adult learners once or twice a year, offering a day with the horses to learn about traditional farming skills.

"Our therapy horses are also trained to pull the harrow and the cart and help maintain the farm. I don't have a tractor, so their horsepower is much appreciated," the Hairy Henry founder added.