10 questions with SNA Majella Moloney of SJ Equine Coaching

In 2022, Majella Moloney qualified as an Equimotional Wellbeing Coach, finally combining her two great loves – horses and supporting people with additional need

Majella Moloney of SJ Equine Coaching answers 10 questions about her inspiration, her work, and her journey as an SNA

Majella Moloney is a mum, a qualified coach, and was a Special Needs Assistant with over a decade of experience in schools across Clare. She started SJ Equine Coaching because she saw how many children were struggling and how few places really understood what they needed.

In 2022, Majella qualified as an Equimotional Wellbeing Coach, finally combining her two great loves – horses and supporting people with additional needs – into one unique, person-centred practice.

1: Tell us about growing up in Limerick

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Growing up in Limerick in the 70s and 80s was the best years of my life. We lived in Synge Drive, lots of families on our block. We were like one big happy family, in and out of each other’s houses, doing “shows”, making up plays, singing and dancing in our back garden sheds.

In the summer, we would all walk out to Spellicies, we would have picnics, swim, and walk back home. We would have a rope on the poles where we would swing right over the bus when it came around!! No health and safety then. The sense of community was amazing, we would have community games, boogie races, and we would celebrate everyone’s birthday. As we got older, our friendships grew, we would go out for a drink together, the old stand, the olde tom, the granary, the pink elephant, amazing times, amazing memories with amazing people.

2: How did you first get involved in Equine Training

My love of horses started when I was 12 years old. Every Saturday, I would walk out to Sonny Darcy’s to ride horses; from that time on, I knew I wanted to own and work with horses. I did my BHS (British Horse Society) exams and qualified as a horse riding instructor. I worked in many riding schools across Limerick and Clare.

3: Tell us about your journey as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA).

I took a break from teaching horse riding when my last son was born. I always enjoyed working with children, so I trained and studied to become an SNA. I was lucky to find a job working as an SNA in St. John the Baptist Boys’ School. I then went on to work in Saint Munchins CBS school in Shelbourne Road. And then worked in Catherine McAuley’s school in Limerick for over eight years. During my time there, I upskilled and trained in Autism, EBD, ADHD, and Speech and Language.

4: What inspired you to combine your love of horses with your work as an SNA

I always knew I was going to go back to work with horses. It was my passion, it never leaves you. I knew the benefits and how horses can help us.I saw many children, teens, and adults struggling, and not many places really understood what they needed. My experience working as an SNA gave me the knowledge, empathy, patience and understanding to be able to talk to parents and offer them a safe space for their children to come to, be themselves, no pressure and work through their needs while working with horses.

5: Tell us about SJ Equine Coaching and how it works

SJ Equine Coaching is a family-run yard that offers Equine Assisted Learning; No riding involved; Builds communication and self-regulation; and Grooming, leading, caring for horses; Equine Assisted Activities/Theraputic Riding; and Tailored for autism, ADHD, anxiety & more.

It also helps build balance, strength, and coordination, and Sessions adapt to your child’s needs. It offers Equimotional Well-being Sessions; a gentle, trauma-informed approach; Helps with stress, anxiety, low confidence; Guided activities, including books; and a growth-focused approach.

Every person is different that’s why our sessions are person centred, we work at their pace, they are never asked to do anything that they are not comfortable doing. It depends on the person on the day, our session would be tailored to what they need.

We do 1.1 sessions and group session’s for children, teens and adults. We also do Pony Camps throughout the year and a monthly Social Club. I started the social club because parents had told me that their children didn’t get involved in other type of activities that would help them socially. So once a month , the children come together to learn social cues , and build friendships. It has been a huge success, the children  love it and so do the parent’s. Their children have somewhere to go to be with other children whete there is no judgement and their needs are met.

6: How has working in schools for more then a decade shaped what you do now

The answer to that would be, I get it, I understand. I know how to approach different situations. Everybody is different, so every situation can be different. We can’t expect individuals to do things the same as everyone else. Patience, kindness, empathy and knowledge all come together when you do this work. It is important to meet people where they are at, no pressure,  at their own pace. Whether it’s brushing or leading therapeutic riding, it’s always tailored to the individual’s needs. We work towards real notable progress session by session.

7: What has been the standout moment in your career so far

I have had many standout moments, which have been very emotional. One was a client who had selective mutism. He would only speak at home. He came to me every week. We would do his session, and he would do activities on the horse. I would be chatting away, asking him to show what he wants or where he wants to go after a long, long time coming to me, his mam told me about their dog and how much he loves him.  

She told me the dog’s name. So at his next session, I spoke about his dog; this went on for a few more sessions. Then at one session I was talking about his dog when I said, oh no, what’s your dog’s name again I forget. He was sitting on top of the snowy when he leaned down and whispered his dog’s name into my ear. I couldn’t react as I knew if I did it would set him back so I just said yes that’s his name and carried on doing what we were doing, but inside my heart was tumping, I was beaming from ear to ear, I was so excited for him that, that was a major breakthrough moment that I will never forget, at each session we would build on speech. Being around horses, brings calm, comfort and trust. Horses give gentle, honest feedback; they help with stress, anxiety, depression, speech. They definitely bring out the best in us.

8: What do you love most about your work day to day

I love my clients, I love when they reach a goal, overcome fears, and develop communication and social skills. These goals are massive for that individual. And my heart swells with pride knowing that I and my horses are helping that person. I love being with my horses, their unconditional love, their gentle, calm nature helps me overcome my own challenges in life

9: What are your hopes and goals for SJ Equine Coaching in the future

To make people more aware of the benefits of working with horses, how they can help build personal growth, improve self-awareness, communication and confidence, and to help people overcome life’s challenges. For this work to be more widely recognised by health care professionals. Also, our Equine Wellbeing visits with our two mini horses to be recognised by more nursing homes, schools, and we see the benefits firsthand.

10: What is your favourite thing about Limerick

My favourite thing about Limerick is the people. We are one of the friendliest cities in Ireland. We come together in hard times, and we support each other.

I am also very proud that we are known as Ireland’s Sporting Capital. Everybody is into either rugby or hurling, and when those games are on, the city comes alive.

Our city is very historic. We have King John’s Castle, we have the Georgian Quarter and the Treaty Stone.We also have great colleges, Mary I, TUS and the  University of Limerick. There are so many things in Limerick that I love. I am a proud Limerick woman!!