Empowering Education and Healing Through Horses with Alex Northover

Alex Northover is the director of Making Momentum CIC, a community interest company in Cheshire, UK, that provides alternative education and therapeutic services for children and young people. With a background as a science teacher and extensive experience in equine-assisted methods, Alex merges academic learning, nervous system regulation, and interactions with horses to create transformational opportunities. Her innovative approach focuses on child-led learning, trauma-informed care, and movement-based education, offering life-changing support for children struggling in traditional education settings.

In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Alex about her journey from teaching to building Making Momentum, the role of horses and other animals in therapeutic education, and her inspiring work with children dealing with trauma and school non-attendance.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Alex’s Journey to Making Momentum (Starts at 1:00)
  Alex shares her journey from being a science teacher to founding Making Momentum, where she combines her passion for education, horses, and trauma-informed care to create impactful programs.
• The Role of Horses in Emotional Regulation (Starts at 6:00)
  Horses, goats, and even chickens play a key role at Making Momentum, helping children with nervous system regulation and fostering emotional growth.
• Child-Led and Movement-Based Learning (Starts at 15:30)
  Alex discusses how tailoring education to each child’s interests and incorporating movement-based methods lead to breakthroughs in learning and emotional resilience.
• Teaching Academic Concepts with Horses (Starts at 25:00)
  Alex explains how she uses equine interactions to teach subjects like math and science, demonstrating how these methods engage children in innovative ways.
• Addressing Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) (Starts at 33:15)
  Alex highlights the importance of understanding EBSNA as a response to trauma rather than defiance and shares success stories of helping children rediscover joy in learning.

Memorable Moments from the Episode

• Alex reflects on the challenges of working with school-refusing children and how emotionally based non-attendance stems from trauma (33:15).
• A heartwarming story about a child who used horses to regulate emotions and ultimately pass their GCSEs on the farm (42:00).
• The impact of incorporating personal interests—like Pokémon and French—into education, making learning fun and engaging for children (25:45).
• Alex shares her own journey of growing up horse-obsessed, working in riding schools, and building a lifelong connection to horses (49:30).
• Rupert and Alex discuss the importance of co-regulation with horses and the role of oxytocin in helping children achieve emotional balance and success (56:15).

Contact Alex Northover

🌐 Website: https://www.makingmomentum.co.uk
📧 Email: [email protected]
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makingmomentumcheshire
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/making_momentum/

See All of Rupert's Programs and Shows

🌐 https://rupertisaacson.com

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