Our Model & Therapeutic Practice
Wild Mane Compass
We use the Wild Mane Compass (based on the Four Shields model) to structure every session.
It balances regulation, action, reflection, and closure in a way that feels steady and predictable for all ages.
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West – Regulation: settling, grounding, arriving.
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South – Action: movement, pony work, tools, outdoor tasks.
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East – Reflection: noticing what worked, quiet conversation, photo/video reflection.
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North – Closure: packing up, tidy ground, finishing clearly and safely.
Every programme follows this rhythm so participants feel safe, steady, and able to engage.
Here is a more detailed flow of our interventions
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Where Our Work Sits Within Outdoor Therapeutic Practice
People often ask how Wild Mane compares to Forest School, outdoor learning, or clinical therapy.
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This table shows three commonly used zones to describe different types of nature-based work. It’s included for clarity, not comparison.
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Zone 1 covers unstructured or lightly guided outdoor experiences.
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Zone 2 covers structured, intentional therapeutic approaches delivered through planned sessions. This is where Wild Mane sits.
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Zone 3 refers to clinical outdoor therapy delivered by qualified psychotherapists.
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The table helps clarify how these approaches differ, and where Wild Mane fits within that wider picture.