EQUI-LIBRE

What EQUI-LIBRE does

EQUI-LIBRE is a Belgian non-profit ASBL (Association Sans But Lucratif) headquartered in La Hulpe, Walloon Brabant, operating a 3-hectare equestrian and nature site built around a paddock paradise track system. The organization houses approximately 6 horses, 14 ponies, and a mixed menagerie of sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, and cats. It employs around 20 staff and is led by founders Savina de Laveleye and Pierre-Yves Hittelet.

The organization delivers equine-assisted therapy for vulnerable beneficiaries (including individuals with autism, ADHD, and social or family difficulties), horsemanship courses, nature workshops, and corporate teambuilding programs. Its infrastructure — animals, paddock paradise layout, and trained handlers — constitutes the core operating asset. EQUI-LIBRE is affiliated with AMAT and FFE federations and maintains institutional partnerships with therapy and care providers such as La Clairière, IRSA, and Centre Sesame, which function as referral channels.

Revenue is generated from a diversified mix: paid therapy sessions, corporate teambuilding contracts, EQUIDAYS workshops, an animal sponsorship program, donations, and a merchandise webshop. Pricing on therapy services is explicitly set below cost to maintain accessibility, and the organization does not receive government subsidies. There is no evidence of external funding rounds, M&A activity, or geographic expansion beyond the single La Hulpe site.

Name

EQUI-LIBRE

Legal name

EQUI-LIBRES ASBL

Website

https://equi-libres.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EQUI-LIBRE is a Belgian non-profit ASBL in La Hulpe operating a 3-hectare equestrian and nature site, delivering equine-assisted therapy for vulnerable individuals, horsemanship and nature workshops, and corporate teambuilding, funded via session fees, sponsorships, donations, and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Horses and Other Equine Production (112920), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organic Equine (Horse) Breeding & Operations (AFAEAMAH), Equine Ambulatory & On-Farm Veterinary Services (HLAMABAE), Training, Stables & Equine Services (MPAEADAI)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Hippotherapy services
• Animal-assisted interventions
• Equicoaching programs
• Nature-based therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Kortrijk

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic and Educational Activities: Revenue from hippotherapy sessions, equicoaching, horsemanship courses, slow equitation, nature workshops, pony courses, teen workshops, and summer camps. Fees vary by activity type and duration.
2. Corporate Services: Teambuilding programs, corporate training on leadership/communication/conflict management, and venue rental for companies seeking off-site meeting spaces in nature.
3. Webshop Merchandise: Sale of eco-responsible textiles (t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies), mugs, keychains, and personalized items. Products sold include eco water bottles (12€), sweatshirts (28-45€), t-shirts (14-16€), mugs (12€), and keychains (3-12€).
4. Animal Sponsorship (Parrainage): Monthly sponsorship programs for animals at 5€ to 150€ per month for 6+ months, providing ongoing financial support for animal care and maintenance.
5. Donations: One-time donations accepted via bank transfer or website shop to support the association's mission, animal care, and facility maintenance.
6. EQUIDAYS Workshops: Masterclass workshops led by external experts at 50-60€ per person, covering topics like shiatsu équin, equiconnexion, and movement balance with horses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EQUI-LIBRE is a Belgian non-profit (ASBL) that delivers equine-assisted therapeutic, educational, and personal-development services at a 3-hectre site in La Hulpe, Belgium. Core offerings include hippotherapy/equitherapy sessions, relational horsemanship, slow equitation, equicoaching, year-long pony courses for children, nature and pony camps, teen workshops, Tai Chi in nature, and corporate teambuilding. Supporting offerings include an eco-responsible webshop, animal sponsorship programs, donations, and skill workshops (bushcraft, blacksmithing, instinctive archery).

Product overview

EQUI-LIBRE is a Belgian non-profit (asbl) offering a portfolio of therapeutic and educational services centered on equine-assisted activities and nature immersion. The core offering includes hippotherapy/equitherapy sessions, horsemanship courses, slow equitation, equicoaching, and youth programs (pony courses, nature camps, teen workshops). Supporting services include corporate teambuilding, therapeutic retreats, Tai Chi in nature, and skills workshops (survival, forge, archery). The organization operates a webshop selling eco-responsible merchandise (organic cotton apparel, water bottles, mugs) and accepts donations and animal sponsorships to support its mission. Animal sponsorship programs and donations fund the non-subsidized association's operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hippotherapy / Equitherapy Therapeutic sessions using horses for children, adolescents, and adults with psycho-emotional, behavioral, or relational difficulties. Work is primarily done on the ground with horses in a natural outdoor setting.
• Adult Horsemanship Groundwork-based horse education focusing on understanding equine communication, body language, and relationship-building without riding.
• Slow Equitation Mindful horseback riding approach emphasizing harmony between human and horse through groundwork connection before mounting, prioritizing well-being of both partners.
• Equicoaching Personal development sessions assisted by horses, targeting burnout, stress, relationship crises, and self-confidence issues using equine-mediated therapy.
• Year-Long Pony Courses Year-long relational pony courses for children aged 7-12, focusing on ground work, trust-building, and emotional development rather than riding.
• Parent-Child Pony Discovery Parent-child discovery sessions introducing young children (from age 3-4) to ponies through gentle, trust-based relational activities.
• Nature Camps Nature immersion camps for children aged 4-7 featuring outdoor activities, farm animal care, sensory exploration, and pony encounters.
• Pony Camps Week-long pony camps for children aged 7-12 emphasizing relational groundwork, animal care, and character development through non-riding activities.
• Teen Workshops Monthly horsemanship workshops and relational camps for teenagers (from age 12) focusing on self-discovery, emotional management, and horsemanship skills.
• Tai Chi in Nature Outdoor Tai Chi classes (Yang style, 108 movements) held in the organization's meadows, combining martial arts practice with nature immersion.
• Therapeutic Workshops and Retreats Therapeutic weekend and retreat programs combining polyvagal theory, equine therapy, creative journaling, and TRE method for trauma, burnout, and resilience work.
• Corporate Teambuilding Corporate team-building activities using horse-assisted exercises to develop communication, leadership, and collaboration skills in natural settings for groups up to 25 people.
• Skills Workshops - Lost Know-How Skills workshops including survival/bushcraft, blacksmithing, instinctive archery, and wool working taught by specialized instructors.
• EQUIDAYS Expert Masterclasses Masterclass workshops led by external equine experts at 50-60€ per person covering topics like equine shiatsu, equiconnexion, and movement balance with horses; limited to 8 participants.
• Equi-Libres Webshop Online store selling eco-responsible merchandise including organic cotton t-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, mugs, and keychains featuring protected animals.
• Animal Sponsorship (Parrainage) Monthly sponsorship program allowing supporters to contribute 5€ to 150€ per month (6-month minimum) to care for specific horses, ponies, and farm animals.
• Donations Program Donation program supporting the non-profit's mission of animal care, nature education, and therapeutic services for vulnerable populations, accepted via bank transfer or website shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• Non-subsidized non-profit maintaining accessible below-cost pricing while serving diverse populations including economically disadvantaged and special needs individuals

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• La ClairièrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare institution receiving regular group hippotherapy sessions for individuals with various psychological and social challenges.
• IRSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner receiving therapeutic services including group sessions for various patient populations.
• Centre SesamecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial needs center receiving tailored therapeutic equestrian activities for beneficiaries with diverse challenges.
• Les Petits Sapins de WaterloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's organization receiving nature-based and therapeutic activities for young people.
• Espace Santé FamillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily health center receiving therapeutic support services including animal-assisted interventions.
• TiTECAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare organization receiving regular therapeutic activities for various beneficiary populations.
• AMAT (Fédération des professionnels en Médiation animale)coreOthersBelgian federation of animal-assisted mediation professionals. EQUI-LIBRE membership provides quality standards, professional credibility, and practitioner validation for insurance purposes.
• FFE (Fédération d'équitation et d'attelage)coreOthersBelgian equestrian federation providing equestrian insurance for participants in activities. EQUI-LIBRE practitioners are insured through this membership.
• Ianao ASBLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeparate ASBL now managing birthday party organization using EQUI-LIBRE facilities and animals. Founders previously volunteered as caregivers and anniversary animators at EQUI-LIBRE. A percentage of revenue is returned to EQUI-LIBRE, continuing support for the mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): Global professional association setting standards for equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning. Provides certification and a network of practitioners delivering hippotherapy and equicoaching services comparable to EQUI-LIBRE's core offerings.
• Green Chimneys: Established US nonprofit providing animal-assisted therapy and nature-based education for children with special needs. Comparable in mission and service mix (therapy + education + animal welfare) but much larger in scale.

Direct peers

• The Horse Boy Foundation: Equine-assisted therapy organization focused on autism, neurodivergence, and trauma. Uses horses and nature-based methods analogous to EQUI-LIBRE's therapeutic retreats and ateliers thérapeutiques.
• Strides Toronto: Non-profit equine therapy center offering hippotherapy and equine-assisted services for individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges. Directly comparable service model and target population.
• Ferme Equestre de Louvain-La-Neuve: Belgian equestrian center that is one of EQUI-LIBRE's hippotherapy training providers (Ferme Equestre de LLN). Offers hippotherapy training and equestrian services in the same Wallonia region, making it a direct comparable on equine therapy education.
• HETI (Human Equine Therapy Interactions): UK organization providing equine/human interaction therapy using horses to support mental health, trauma, and personal development. Comparable to EQUI-LIBRE's equitherapy and equicoaching services.

Regional players

• AMAT (Fédération des professionnels en Médiation animale): Belgian federation of animal-assisted mediation professionals. EQUI-LIBRE is a member; AMAT networks other practitioners and centers offering analogous equine/animal-assisted services in Belgium.
• Redwings Horse Sanctuary: UK equine welfare charity operating sanctuary and rehoming services. Comparable to EQUI-LIBRE's animal rescue mission and sponsorship/donation funding model, although Redwings is much larger and focused on welfare rather than therapy.
• Paard en Mens (Netherlands): Dutch organization promoting equine-assisted therapy and the relationship between horses and humans. Adjacent European peer offering comparable hippotherapy and education services in a neighboring market.

Emerging players

• MARN - Médiation Animale et Relation à la Nature (Université de Liège): University of Liège academic program in animal mediation and equine options. EQUI-LIBRE practitioners train through MARN; comparable in subject matter (equine mediation and hippotherapy) but operates as academic training rather than a service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/equi-libre

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EQUI-LIBRE