As part of the Offaly Traveller Movement integrated men’s health plan, this project was launched in 2011.  The aim is part of a wider initiative for OTM to develop a higher level of engagement with Traveller men that is culturally responsive. During a very short period of time the Horse Project has become highly successful.

Aims and benefits of the programme include:

• Increased engagement of Traveller men in relation to the social determinants of their health
• Increased awareness of,  and access to existing health services and health professionals in Offaly
• Increased access to and interaction with the OTM men’s health programmes, the OTM Primary Healthcare team and other OTM specialist services
• Capacity building for Traveller men
• Improvement of men’s physical and mental health through the interaction with the horse
• Facilitated discussions around relationships, positive communication skills, leadership and trust

Engagement of Traveller men in health services is a major issue in public health in Ireland and the rapid success of this programme offers potential opportunity for scale-up and duplication of best practice nationally.

The short film ‘GO LASSIE GO’ by Ann-Marie Kelly below was specially commissioned for Traveller Pride week 2012 and shows some of the amazing work of the OTM horse project”