Nicola Hepburn

Nicola Hepburn – Founder & Director

MA Psychology & Education | BA (Hons) Equine Studies

Nicola founded Equine Learning CIC and The Centaurus Trust in 2007 with a vision to create an inclusive, community-based equestrian centre where people could benefit from horses in ways that extend far beyond traditional riding lessons.

Her journey into therapeutic horsemanship began in 2005, when she completed her first training in Equine Facilitated Learning. She went on to work in fundraising and project management for a national charity before managing one of the UK’s early Equine Facilitated Learning projects. These experiences strengthened her belief in the potential of horses to support learning, development and wellbeing and inspired her to create Equine Learning.

Nicola returned to education to study Equine Studies, graduating with First Class Honours in 2010. Her undergraduate research explored the impact of Equine Facilitated Learning for a young person with autism. She later completed an MA in Psychology and Education at the University of Warwick, where she continued her research into the use of Equine Facilitated Learning within Alternative Education.

Over the years, Nicola has undertaken extensive training in therapeutic horsemanship, Equine Facilitated Learning, horsemanship and coaching, both in the UK and internationally. Having already qualified as a Certified Horse Boy Practitioner, in 2013 she travelled to Texas where she spent three months as a working student at Horse Boy HQ. During this time she gained intensive practical experience in therapeutic horsemanship and Equine Facilitated Learning, alongside developing her riding and horse training skills and studying classical dressage. This experience had a lasting influence on Nicola’s understanding of the relationship between horse and rider and her approach to training and working with horses.

Nicola is also a UKCC qualified coach and certified EFL Practitioner and has worked with children, young people and adults with a wide range of needs and abilities.

Today, Nicola brings together more than 20 years of experience in horses, education and therapeutic horsemanship to lead the development of Equine Learning’s programmes and approach. This includes the development of Holos, Equine Learning’s progressive riding and horsemanship programme, which brings together riding, groundwork, horse care, theory and a deeper understanding of the horse. Holos reflects Nicola’s belief that learning to ride is about much more than developing technical riding skills – it is about developing the knowledge, feel and understanding needed to build a genuine partnership with the horse.

Central to her work is the belief that good practice must be both person-centred and horse-centred. Nicola is passionate about creating an environment in which people feel safe, respected and able to develop at their own pace, while ensuring that the physical and emotional wellbeing of the horses remains at the heart of everything Equine Learning does.

Her approach recognises horses as individuals and partners in the learning process rather than simply as a means of delivering an activity. Through riding, groundwork, horse care and spending meaningful time with horses, Nicola aims to help people develop confidence, communication, self-awareness and practical skills, alongside a deeper understanding of both themselves and the horse.

Alongside leading Equine Learning CIC and The Centaurus Trust, Nicola remains actively involved in the day-to-day life of the centre, developing and delivering learning and therapeutic programmes, coaching riders and supporting the team, clients and horses who make up the Equine Learning community.

You can find out more about the principles that underpin Nicola’s approach on our Values page.