Changing Lives Through Horses

Emily had always struggled with school. She existed in a state of profound anxiety and continual mental and emotional dysregulation.

Since participating in the Changing Lives Through Horses programme, Emily’s life has been transformed. In contrast to the anxieties and difficulties surrounding her time in school, her eagerness to attend the CLTH programme is palpable and her happiness and enthusiasm in the programme has been noted by her class teachers.

Emily attends two full days each week and is constantly learning, progressing and growing in confidence and self-esteem. She’s formed friendships with the other children on the programme too.

The calm and structured environment of the stables has given her a security and purpose where she works hard to control her behaviour and act in a responsible way. Our Changing Lives Through Horses programme has shown Emily that in the right environment she can cope, thrive and achieve. 

Amy joined the CLTH programme in 2020 after Amy's mother saw a feature on a TV talk show about programmes for children with special needs.

The support Amy has received from members of staff delivering the CLTH programme has helped her achieve her Level One Horse Care qualification at college and she’s remained in education. 

She plans to take her Level Two qualification, and she’s even started volunteering for the programme to help other disengaged young people.

Lilly’s complex needs meant that, by the age of 8, she couldn’t be accommodated in either mainstream or specialist schools and faced being isolated and outside of education.  

She first rode a horse when she was 4 years and 2 months — and hasn’t looked back since.

Riding, the stables, Pony Club and pony events were her passion, however CLTH has become her sanctuary. At best Lilly could only “survive” for a couple of hours a day in a mainstream school, and even then, only with massive support of a teacher, two teaching assistants and a parent in constant attendance. From the first day she attended CLTH, Lilly has participated for the full five-hour session without any qualms and with no need for extra adult support. Not only that, but she’s consistently been learning while on the CLTH programme. She’s proud of her achievements and eager to learn more — CLTH has shown her that she’s capable and, in the right environment, able to do so much. 

Lilly’s experience of CLTH has been life-changingly beneficial. She’s gone from a scared, challenging and unhappy girl to a lively chatterbox who looks forward to her CLTH days. 

“This has been such an engaging course and a brilliant experience for our students. They’ve loved every session. The bespoke, highly personalised lessons that Debra and Beth have delivered help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to progress onto the Silver award as well as supporting them socially and emotionally. The impact the course has had on our students is also seen back at school, in lessons. They’ve become more resilient and independent. Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn about horses and develop as an individual at the same time!” Ed Owen, Head of School