The Hollies Horse Sense offers engaging learning opportunities to individuals and the wider community.
Our programs, including our one-to-one sessions, are based on the knowledge that horses can help us to explore and develop new life skills.
These new life skills that can have a positive impact on our emotional, social, and mental well-being.
By engaging in this dynamic and experimental learning process, clients can deepen and improve their communication skills, explore boundary-setting and self-management, empathy and respect for self and others.
Breathe - Befriend - Trust
Horses invite you to practice "just being" in the moment
The Hollies Horse Sense was founded by Selvi Iyilikci in 2021 with the aim of offering Equine Assisted Learning and therapeutic activities.
Selvi Iyilikci has been working in the field of adult and environmental education as well as therapeutic and social horticulture for over 15 years.
Selvi completed her training as an Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator and as a Life and Workplace Coach with Festina Lente in Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, in 2015.
She furthered her studies with Elista Education, Institute for Animal Care Education, UK, and gained her qualification as Animal Assisted Therapy Facilitator in 2020.
Selvi holds a Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy from PCI college and she is currently studying for a degree in psychotherapy with Middlesex University, London.
Developing her own practice, Selvi draws on elements from her diverse professional experience and her lifelong passion of spending time in nature and with animals. Selvi is motivated by a desire to help individuals and communities to connect with nature, build relationships and foster a sense of well-being.
Helping individuals and communities to connect with nature
"Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and the better in every way"
John Muir
The Hollies Horse Sense home is ‘The Hollies Center for Practical Sustainability’ situated near Enniskeane in West Cork.
Located on thirty acres of regenerative woodland, farmland, and wild habitat, dotted with organic gardens, cob houses and animal paddocks.
The farm offers many secluded, peaceful, and quiet places.
The center runs a variety of training workshops in applied sustainability and environmental education.
We have sheep, hens, dogs, and cats sharing the land with four families who live and work on the Hollies Center project.
Our herd consists of four horses. These include two heavy Irish Cobs, named Molly and Podge, a Welsh pony mix named Luna and a Shetland pony named Gary.
Our horses live in an open stable with a dry paddock and are turned out daily.
They are the all-important co-facilitators in the equine assisted learning process. We care for them in the same respectful manner as we do for our fellow human beings.
Each horse has its own character traits, life story and behaviours, which makes our engagement with them such a unique, rich, and curious experience.
Our equines are trained to be safe and trusted equine assisted learning horses and are continuously assessed in relation to their health and suitability for our equine activities.
Our equines are trained to be safe and trusted
Podge is our oldest horse. He needs routine and a lot of reassurance. It takes him a little time to build trust, but once he feels safe and knows what is expected of him, he shows great acceptance and reliability.
He carries heavy loads and riders alike without a problem and he has a special place in the herd.
Molly is a very independent and curious horse. She is assertive and responds well to those who are authentic and determined.
She is free spirited, loves attention and she is kind to those in need.
Luna is soft, forgiving and sensitive. She particularly likes human touch and grooming, but she certainly doesn’t like getting her feet muddy.
She has built many relationships with our children participating in our Pony-tribe programme over the years.
Gary is small, but has a big personality. He certainly holds his own among the bigger horses. He is cheeky and very self-assured.
He loves nothing more than joining in an adventure like having a wild run with children and horse friends alike.
