How horses in traditional settings are looked after with practical experience and plenty of hands on time. This helps increase fitness, coordination and confidence around the horses and also gives us really important time to chat about all sorts of things from emotional regulation around the horses to how we are feeling that  day. As our clients get more competent around the horses, having the brain space to think and process what we have been doing is really valuable. Children and teenagers also need non-eye contact time while they are learning... something that is often forgotten and missing from traditional teaching set ups. A key skill for working in the industry.

Our project partner is one of only two biomechanics Ride With Your Mind ® licensed riding schools in the country. All of our riding lessons, which, uniquely don't even need to be on a horse (ask Liv to show you!) use this method. This has so many benefits we have put a whole page on it on this website but, essentially, it means that we are teaching our clients how to use their bodies and their mind in the most efficient way possible. Modern life isn't all that great for human bodies that evolved to be on the move all day whether it's bending over your phone for hours every day or sitting at your desk all day in between sitting in your car! Our young people are now spending most of their childhoods wonky and sedentary. Having an uncomfortable body is a distracting, stressful and tiring place to live.

Using practical, linked tasks such as ordering feed, working out how much hay we need, writing a feed plan for the horses or helping make signs for the stable doors or posters to greet people being literate and numerate is something to be enjoyed and a crucial tool for getting what you want out of life. By taking learning our of the classroom into topics that really engage our clients, we aim to re- invigorate and motivate them. We also plan and advertise external events, maintain our surroundings and clients can help direct our fundraising efforts into areas that interest them. The world is waiting!

With the help of a specially trained dog (Paddy), we use a number of carefully designed activities such as agility, hooping and  active read to tackle a range of mental and physical health issues.

For instance, planning, building, assessing and completing an agility course, would involve concentration, critical thinking, body awareness, maths (distances etc), spacial awareness, fine and gross motor skills, emotional regulation and teamwork.

Alternatively a "quiet" session may consist of reading a chosen book aloud with Paddy listening. This encourages concentration, literacy, speech and language skills, comprehension and bonding in a totally relaxed, non-threatening and non-judgemental environment.

It may also be about simply unwinding and having fun with furry friend!

Horse welfare is increasingly a hot topic in our industry so to future proof the skill we are teaching our clients, we will also discuss track and barn systems, think about designing our own and research what the horses prefer, using body language and discussion with others. Horses with specific  needs do much better when not kept in stable -this allows us to consider concepts like consent, accountability, kindness, anthropomorphism and encourages our clients to consider other perspectives to their own, how to be persuasive and how to disagree politely and with respect with people who share different views.​

Non-verbal communication is a huge part of managing risk, getting consent and making training effective. So often humans have the attitude that "I'm ok!", but if your animal partner is not, you wont get your task done safely. This aspect of our program teaches observational skills, patience, responsibility, and increases agency.

Reading, understanding and expressing non-verbal cues is a vital element of social interaction that encompasses all walks of life, whether its work, rest or play!

Traditionally, in the equine world, this meant lunging a horse in circles or long reining them out and about. We will look at both of these, useful if you would like to work in the industry, but we will also look at loose schooling where getting the right balance between assertiveness and approachability is key. Each and every horse or pony is very different in terms of energy and character. What motivates one may not work with another. You must be aware of your own body language and theirs in order to build a relationship and gain co-operation. Just like people, animals can have their own physical and mental quirks so these activities will help them too - and it also transfers to being ridden under saddle.  A considerate and flexible approach is required  in order to get the job done.

We will talk about how learning really works (using age appropriate language) and about the myriad of things that get in the way of learning, for us and for them...some are surprisingly similar!​

Fancy getting your hands dirty? Why not engage with plat therapy?

Explore your thoughts and feelings in a dynamic and creative way.

These are completely client led sessions and you can choose which activity suits your mood. Arts and crafts, sand trays, paint, puppets, books and musical instruments are all on offer.

Express your inner self and use your creativity and imagination to help understand your thoughts and feelings.

Play therapy may help with a wide range of issues, such as anxiety and depression, trauma, bereavement, social exclusion and anger management.