Meeting with Amandine-Founder of the Regar2Moi association
Equitherapy, a means to fulfillment for neuroatypical people
In the field of disability, certain therapeutic methods stand out for their innovative and caring approach. Equitherapy, which uses the horse as a therapeutic mediator, is one of them. We met Amandine, founder of the Regar2Moi association, which offers unique support for children, teenagers and young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders.
In this article, you’ll discover the history of the association, the benefits of equitherapy, the material challenges encountered and the partnership with Horse Pilot.
Presentation of the Regar2Moi association: A mission to support young neuroatypical people
Horse Pilot: Hello Amandine, thank you for this interview. To begin with, could you briefly introduce the Regar2Moi association and its main mission?
Amandine: Of course. The Regar2Moi association’s mission is to support children, teenagers and young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, often referred to as neuroatypical. These disorders include autism, attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD), as well as certain rare genetic diseases that can impact motor and cognitive development.
Our aim is to help these young people develop their skills in several areas: reasoning, social interaction, emotional expression and motor skills. We want to offer them a place where they can develop at their own pace, while being surrounded by a caring environment.
Horse Pilot: So you only welcome people with these disorders?
Amandine: Yes, mainly. Some of the people we work with also have physical disabilities, but we specialize in neurodevelopmental disorders. Our approach is based on several axes: cognitive development, the creation of social links, and work on emotions.
The genesis of the association
Horse Pilot: How did the association come into being?
Amandine: The association came into being ten years ago, shortly after I finished my psychology studies. Nothing predestined me to work in the field of disability, but I was touched by the situation of young neuro-atypical people. The lack of places in specialized facilities often forces them to stay at home, which represents a flagrant injustice.
This has a huge impact on the family. One of the parents often has to stop working to look after the child. The association was born of this desire to create a place where these young people can be stimulated and supported to develop their potential.
Equitherapy at the heart of the approach
Horse Pilot: You also integrate equitherapy into your work. Can you tell us more about it?
Amandine: I’ve always been passionate about horses, ever since I was six years old, and I discovered their therapeutic impact when I took young people with disabilities to my friends’ stables. It didn’t take me long to realize just how much the horse could help people to blossom and feel good.
Today, we have over 40 horses at the association, as well as other animals rescued from various difficult situations (circuses, slaughterhouses, breeding farms). The children evolve in this caring, natural environment, which promotes their well-being.
The benefits of equitherapy: When the horse becomes a mirror of emotions
Horse Pilot: What are the concrete benefits of equitherapy for the young people you work with?
Amandine: Equitherapy works on several levels. On the one hand, it helps develop motor skills, balance and coordination. On the other, it has an important emotional impact.
The horse acts as a mirror: it reflects the emotions and tensions of the youngsters, enabling us to engage in therapeutic work. Some horses adopt behaviors that resonate with the youngsters’ emotions, sometimes without them being aware of it.
I remember a young girl who had difficulty interacting with her friends. Before the session, she would eat cherries from a tree, ignoring their calls to play with her. Later in the session, when she got on Karl, the horse stopped under a tree and started eating leaves, exactly reproducing the child’s behavior. This helped her to become aware of her own attitude and to reflect on her relationships.
Equipment requirements and layout challenges
Horse Pilot: Do you need any special equipment for these equitherapy sessions?
Amandine: We try to minimize stress on the horse, using soft halters or adapted saddles. For equitherapy, we don’t really need specific equipment. It’s more for adapted riding lessons that we need it, like a saddle to hold the youngsters.
Another challenge concerns access to the horses in the meadows; when it rains, the paths become muddy and impassable, limiting access for some children. We’re working on the layout of the paths to improve safety and facilitate interaction with the horses.
Horse Pilot : Do you have any urgent needs in terms of equipment or layout?
Amandine: Yes, we’re currently working on landscaping the meadows to create safe, passable paths, whatever the weather conditions. We’d also like to build a bubble or dome in one of the meadows. This would provide shelter for the horses and youngsters during sessions, while maintaining interaction in a semi-open, natural environment. The idea is to provide a comfortable, protected space without having to take the horses away from their herd, which can sometimes be stressful.
The story of Karl, the therapy horse
A striking example of the therapeutic role of horses at Regar2moi is the story of Karl, a horse who seems to instinctively understand young people’s emotions.
Amandine: During one session, a teenager came face to face with Karl, who began to adopt an imposing posture, standing and staring into his eyes. The youngster, intrigued and a little intimidated, eventually expressed what this posture reminded him of: his own father, a figure who caused him deep anguish.
This exchange, initiated by Karl’s attitude, opened up a dialogue on buried emotions. “In other situations, Karl is very gentle and maternal, adapting his behavior to each child. This type of interaction perfectly illustrates the finesse of horses’ perception and their unique role in therapeutic support.
Partnership with Horse Pilot
Horse Pilot: How can the support of a brand like Horse Pilot make a difference for your association?
Amandine: The partnership with Horse Pilot is very important to us. Especially with our Essentiel gold browns, which identify us even from a distance. Wearing high-quality, aesthetically pleasing clothing creates a real sense of belonging among the youngsters and enhances the self-esteem of their families, who often feel a lack of recognition in conventional structures. It boosts their self-confidence and makes them feel part of a community.
We attach a great deal of importance to the beauty and quality of what we offer, whether it’s places, projects or clothing. Just because we’re disabled doesn’t mean we don’t deserve beautiful things!
The future of Regar2Moi
Horse Pilot: What are your plans for developing your association?
Amandine: We have a number of projects underway, including the development of the meadows, the creation of a sheltered area for energy treatments with the horses, and the development of professional projects for young people. We’re also looking to strengthen our partnerships and raise public awareness of invisible disabilities and equitherapy.
Horse Pilot: How can equestrian enthusiasts help or support you?
Amandine: They can follow us on social networks to help raise awareness of the invisible handicap. Making a donation via our website is also a way of supporting us.
Finally, we’re open to skills sponsorship: some companies allow their employees to devote a day to volunteer work, which is a precious help to us. Material donations, such as riding equipment, can also make a difference.
