Her story

A life enriched by horses and people

Caitríona lives in North West Kildare in a 200-year-old cottage and farmyard steeped in history. Three castles lie within 3km and the Boyne River flows nearby. Along with her family, she shares the land with a wonderful collection of animals — horses, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks and pet sheep.

She trained as an Engineering and Technical Graphics teacher and worked for 18 years in Kildare schools before upskilling as a Career Guidance Counsellor. She now works in her hometown of Edenderry — but it has always been horses that anchor her deepest calling.

Caitríona has had horses since she was 12 and has experienced, first hand, the extraordinary benefits that contact with horses can bring to all kinds of people.

Natural Horsemanship

Throughout her formal education, Caitríona also trained in Ireland and the USA in Monty Roberts' Methods of Natural Horsemanship, specialising in non-verbal communication and the building of strong, trust-based relationships with horses. She went on to assist Monty on his world tours in the UK and Denmark, and helped organise his demonstrations in Ireland in March 2018. She became the third Monty Roberts Instructor in Ireland.

Equine Assisted Therapy

In 2010, Caitríona discovered the Eagala Model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Personal Development. She has run sessions for students and staff in schools, youths at risk, and diverse groups including women's wellbeing groups, leadership teams and support communities. She works alongside a qualified psychotherapist and currently serves as the Irish Network Coordinator for Eagala model practitioners.