Therapy Horses

Horses at the Nursing Home

Meet the therapy horses featured in the photos in the photo book Horse Power by photographer Fleur Halkema and journalist Carin Smolders.

An ordinary weekday morning suddenly becomes very special when Loki and Joep walk into the Mariënburg nursing home. The hooves of the two American miniature horses tap briskly on the linoleum. These mini horses fit together in a regular van, but the impact they have on the nursing home residents is huge. Most residents suffer from dementia. Some so severely that they barely react to what is happening around them. And yet, after the grey Loki has leaned against her leg for a few minutes, a resident reaches out her hand to stroke his mane. For other residents, seeing the horses is like being transported back to their childhood. The Dutch Therapy Horse Foundation travels throughout the country to visit the elderly.

Petting and Cuddling

For the photo book Fleur Halkema Photography – Horse Power, Fleur and Carin visited the therapy horses at Mariënburg. Caregivers Annebé and Imke lead Joep and Loki past the residents. They let the horses choose for themselves who they want to stand next to. To ensure everything goes smoothly, the horses are thoroughly groomed beforehand and have a bag under their tails to catch any droppings. Most residents’ eyes light up when they see the animals. There’s no shortage of attention for Joep and Loki: the residents are only too happy to pet them, hug them, and talk to them. Only a few residents indicate they have no interest in interacting with the horses.

(Pre)order now

The book Fleur Halkema Fotografie – Paardenkracht (Horsepower) is available for €15.00 via this website and can be ordered now. Click here to go directly to the order form. Starting June 6, it will also be available in various stores. Click here for an overview.