Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy
Emotional &
Mental Wel-being
Physical
Development
Social Skills
Emotional
Connection
Emotional
Regulation
Interacting with horses can help develop emotional regulation skills, reduce stress, and improve overall mental well-being. The presence of horses can create a calming and therapeutic environment
Engaging in equine assisted therapy activities can promote physical development in clients. Activities such as horse grooming and leading can improve balance, coordination, and strength. Especially in those who suffer from physical impairments.
Working with horses requires effective communication, trust-building, and teamwork. Through equine assisted therapy, clients can develop important social skills such as empathy, respect, and cooperation.
Huggy and the gang are non-judgmental animal that can provide a sense of companionship and emotional connection to clients. This can be particularly beneficial for thosewho may struggle with forming relationships or have experienced trauma.
Huggy can mirror human emotions and provide immediate feedback. Interacting with horses can help people learn to regulate their emotions and develop coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety.
Raising Awareness, One Hug at a Time
Hugs of Argyll offers psycho-social, emotional, and physical benefits to a variety of people by using our horses and ponies. This approach is particularly useful when working with vulnerable groups of children and adults, including those with a mental or physical disability, young or elderly people.
Ponies are sentient beings with special emotional intelligence that can teach us a lot about ourselves. They tend to mirror humans, which can bring a variety of benefits. We have ponies that are particularly good for indoor locations such as care homes and hospitals, and others that can be used to teach children, teenagers and adults basic equine skills in stable management and in-hand hacking giving them a real hands on approach.
We fully believe that we can raise awareness and tackle mental health, one Huggy Hug at a time!
Caeleigh offers coaching onsite and offsite with mentorship and is UKCCL1 and will soon be undertaking her level 2
Meet the Team
Here for you
At Hugs of Argyll, our team of highly skilled and experienced care providers has our clients’ best interests and wellbeing at heart. Meet the people working behind the scenes at Hugs of Argyll!
Caeleigh
Company Director & Founder
BA (Hons) Business Management
UKCC L1 qualified
Equimotional Coach
Current MSc Psychology student
Caeleigh has had a passion for horses from a very young age. Learning how to ride at Lunga Stables at Ardfern until she was 15years old gave her a good solid start at riding. She knew from a young age that it was no phase her mum and dad had hoped it was! She continued learning all she could whilst studying Paediatric Nursing at the University of Dundee and loaned her first horse at 21years old during her BA (Hons) Business Management in Edinburgh. At the age of 22 she finally bought her first horse, Sammy - a then 2year old Thoroughbred! With 8 horses of her own now, she sees the benefits that horses have regarding mental health, fitness and as a hobby.
Caeleighs 8 horses are called; Hadley, Bobby, Oscar, Huggy, Fudge, Bracken, Ellie and Dom*.
Hadley & Caeleigh also returned from the BD Quest National Championships held at Arena UK, Lincolnshire in 2023 where she trotted down the centreline in her Novice Class. She is aiming for more BD fun over the coming years with Hadley and will be starting Bobby on his BD journey with EquiTeam Quest Teams.
Caeleigh is a big believer of surrounding yourself with a positive and supportive environment where you can truly be you! EquiTeam plays a major factor in Caeleighs Horse-life and is the home of equestrian development and safe learning in an inclusive and supportive community.
Kathryn
Equimotional Coach
Womens Wellbeing and Counsellor
Well, what can we say about Kathryn? I'll try and not spill any secrets about her ultimate love for bathing in horse troughs in silly summer scortchers! (oops!). Kathryn is a wonderful human with a vast knowledge of horses - growing up with them since a little girl, she never did lose her passion for being surrounded by and riding them! Kathryn left school and studied Counselling and Womens Health - she is a shoulder to cry on and is often found, unknowingly, getting people to open up without realising it!!
Kathryns love for horses goes so much deeper than the saddle, she is passionate about mental health, communication, connection and will always greet you with a smile! She is also very much known for feeding people - be warned she may randomly appear at the stables with a pizza oven and make fresh pizzas (drool!)
Kathryn has just recently completed her Equimotional Coaching course which is very exciting!
Huggy
The Main Man..
Huggy is a therapy pony who has been trained to visit care homes, schools and hospitals. He loves to listen to bagpipes, ride in the lifts and will stand patiently for hours while being pampered. He has a super thick coat in the winter which protects him from all the cold weather Scotland can bring. He is a typical Shetland Pony and likes to live out all year but will get wrapped up before special visits!
Huggy is a calm and gentle creature who loves to please his humans - he has always had the kindest of natures and you'll often see him give you 'the eyes' when he wants something!!
Huggy is trained for both riding and driving, but he really enjoys in-hand hacking the most. He is a star performer and nothing seems to phase him. He will happily stand as a mascot for the local pipe bands, lead a bride or stand quietly for an elderly person to pat. He is the full package!
Huggy loves apples, carrots and cuddles - they really are his favorite things!
Favourite treat: Carrots!
Huggy is a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear and a true friend!
Fudge
The Boss!
At only 8hh, Fudge is our youngest and smallest pony who is still going through some training but don't let his lack of experience fool you! He has been out to local primary schools, Parties and even music events: he really does enjoy the attention!
At home, Fudge rules the roost! He is top dog out of all our miniature shetlands and demands to always be fed first - this is a pony who loves his food! You will usually find Fudge sleeping anywhere and everywhere, yes, even during pipe band performances! LOL! Fudge loves his cuddles from his humans and even though he is the boss in the field, he is a big cuddly teddy bear at heart. He is handled by children as young as 2 and takes life at a leisurely pace. He is truly a superstar in the making!
Fudge loves Baileys Apple Treats and sleep!!
Favourite treat: Sliced Apples!
Fudge is a cuddly pony who adores attention and loves being made a fuss of!
Oscar
Golden Oldie
Oscar is our oldest and possibly the noisiest of them all! He will often greet you at the field or when you show any signs of food!
He is retired from his ridden and driving career but is on hand for any 1-to-1 sessions at the stables. He is a kind old soul but can be very cheeky! He does not travel to events as he prefers the view from home! Oscar stands at approximately 9hh and his best friend in the whole world is Hadley who is 17hh!
Oscar loves anything edible - watch your lunches!!
Favourite treat: Sliced Apples!
Oscar is an old man set in his ways but loves the odd saunter out with friends!
Bracken
The Brave!
Bracken is secretly the favourite throughout the gang! He came to us in 2024 very timid, shy and wouldn't let anyone near him. It took a good few months of leaving him to be a horse and learning to trust us before we could allow him near our clients. It's now 2026 and he has been to one event and has done multiple 1-1 sessions!! He has come such a long way, and whilst he can be a bit scared of life, he has excelled massively over the years. He even became reserve champion at one of our local shows - We are hoping to take him to the Royal Highland Show one day too!
Bracken loves a cuddle but on his terms - it's magical when he allows you to do so!
Favourite treat: Crunchy Carrots
