HorsesforWellbeing

In memory of Christina Knudsen

Our Mission

Horses for Wellbeing empowers children and young people to heal through connection with horses

Equine-Assisted Learning for Children & Adolescents​

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Testimonials

“Thank you so much for welcoming R, making him feel included, and taking your time with him. As expected, it took R a little longer than the rest of the group to feel comfortable and safe, and finally, he joined the group without me (or a family member), which was a beautiful feeling for us all. I cannot thank you all enough for helping R get to this point, he has left saying he felt included, safe and excited, which is more than I could have wished for”

Parent of a participant

“Horses for Wellbeing has really helped with my daughter’s confidence and her mental wellbeing. She has gone from shutting herself away in her room not wanting to talk or interact with anyone, to cooking herself food, tidying up, and generally a lot happier. She always comes out of her sessions happy and talking about the horses on the journey home where on the way she hardly says a word. I would highly recommend the sessions”

Parent of a participant

Every child deserves confidence, connection, and hope

“Horses for Wellbeing made me feel more confident and happy. I really enjoyed working with the horses, especially Archie. It has helped me come out of my shell”

15-year old participant

“They’ve helped me through the roughest time of my life. I feel as if people should confide in animals a lot more. They have such a better understanding and understand you better than yourself. The team at Horses for Wellbeing is incredible and would 10/10 recommend to send your kids or even yourself if they/you are struggling with something significant in your life”

13-year old participant

“Just wanted to email you to say how much O is enjoying her sessions with Horses for Wellbeing. O returns home calm and regulated and in a total dream about the time she has at her session”

Parent of a participant

“H absolutely loved the session and would not stop talking about her favourite horses Archie & Faith and all the activities she had done, so thank you. H even wants to look at doing riding lessons now too”

Parent of a participant

“My daughter has loved every session with you. It’s made such a difference to life. Thank you for the amazing work you do”

Parent of a participant

“I know that with certain students this has been a life-saving experience and whilst the student is unable to participate at the moment, I know when time is possible they will be there again in a heartbeat. She would love the chance to spend the day and more time with you guys and the same goes for another two of the students who have had great pleasure from coming”

Secondary school teacher

“I found everyone welcoming and friendly and informative and kept up to date with feedback. The students always enjoyed their sessions, their only regret was they wanted to do more of it and for longer, I will definitely be taking more students”

Secondary school teacher

“One student in particular has struggled with confidence and social interaction. Following her engagement in the programme she has applied to join the riding for disabled program as a volunteer”

Secondary school teacher

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Before every session with the horses, we begin with grounding and sensory activities, noticing what we can see, hear, feel, and smell around us.

Yesterday, the children took a quiet moment to pause, look out across the fields, and reconnect with the present before meeting the herd. 🐴

These small moments of awareness help them arrive calm, centred, and ready to engage not just with the horses, but with themselves and each other.

And keeping it real…some days it takes a little longer. Some days we need more time to settle, breathe, and let the outside world fade. But that’s all part of it. 🌿

#HorsesForWellbeing #EquineFacilitatedLearning #Grounding #Mindfulness #ChildrenAndHorses #LearningThroughNature #EmotionalRegulation

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Before every session with the horses, we begin with grounding and sensory activities, noticing what we can see, hear, feel, and smell around us. Yesterday, the children took a quiet moment to pause, look out across the fields, and reconnect with the present before meeting the herd. 🐴 These small moments of awareness help them arrive calm, centred, and ready to engage not just with the horses, but with themselves and each other. And keeping it real…some days it takes a little longer. Some days we need more time to settle, breathe, and let the outside world fade. But that’s all part of it. 🌿 #HorsesForWellbeing #EquineFacilitatedLearning #Grounding #Mindfulness #ChildrenAndHorses #LearningThroughNature #EmotionalRegulation

This might look like a peaceful photo of two ponies resting. But for our children this week, it held a much deeper lesson.

They had arrived excited to groom and lead, but our ponies had other plans. Tired and calm, they gave a clear signal that they needed rest, not interaction and so, we listened.

For some children, it was hard. They felt disappointed, confused, even frustrated. But they were supported to sit with those feelings and in time, they were able to let go, adapt, and find calm again.

Sometimes the most powerful learning doesn’t come from doing, but from noticing, respecting, and adjusting.

#HorsesForWellbeing #EquineFacilitatedLearning #EmotionalAwareness #RespectingBoundaries #ChildrenAndHorses #LearningThroughExperience

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This might look like a peaceful photo of two ponies resting. But for our children this week, it held a much deeper lesson. They had arrived excited to groom and lead, but our ponies had other plans. Tired and calm, they gave a clear signal that they needed rest, not interaction and so, we listened. For some children, it was hard. They felt disappointed, confused, even frustrated. But they were supported to sit with those feelings and in time, they were able to let go, adapt, and find calm again. Sometimes the most powerful learning doesn’t come from doing, but from noticing, respecting, and adjusting. #HorsesForWellbeing #EquineFacilitatedLearning #EmotionalAwareness #RespectingBoundaries #ChildrenAndHorses #LearningThroughExperience

A huge thank you to @millerhomesuk for their kind donation, helping us offer subsidised equine-facilitated learning sessions this term. Their support means more children can access the healing power of horses, feeling safe, seen, and supported.

We’re delighted to have been featured by @inyourarea_uk , sharing the impact of our work with local families and communities.

📖 Read the article👇link in comments

#HorsesForWellbeing #EquineFacilitatedLearning #WellbeingWithHorses #MillerHomes #InYourArea #EmotionalWellbeing #CommunitySupport #HealingWithHorses

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A huge thank you to @millerhomesuk for their kind donation, helping us offer subsidised equine-facilitated learning sessions this term. Their support means more children can access the healing power of horses, feeling safe, seen, and supported. We’re delighted to have been featured by @inyourarea_uk , sharing the impact of our work with local families and communities. 📖 Read the article👇link in comments #HorsesForWellbeing #EquineFacilitatedLearning #WellbeingWithHorses #MillerHomes #InYourArea #EmotionalWellbeing #CommunitySupport #HealingWithHorses

We’re now well into the new term…welcoming new young people and seeing familiar faces return. The horses are definitely enjoying being back at work and are already forming beautiful connections 🐴💛

A big thank you to @renishawengineering for their generous donation, which has allowed us to offer discounted sessions this term, making our work more accessible to those who need it most 🫶✨

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We’re now well into the new term…welcoming new young people and seeing familiar faces return. The horses are definitely enjoying being back at work and are already forming beautiful connections 🐴💛 A big thank you to @renishawengineering for their generous donation, which has allowed us to offer discounted sessions this term, making our work more accessible to those who need it most 🫶✨

🎉 They’ve got something to say 👀🐴

Our horses want to tell you…a brand new offer is here just for parents & carers.

After two years of supporting children and young people with additional needs, one thing has become clear: parents and carers need support too!

We’re launching a pilot programme of Equine Facilitated Learning for parents and carers - a small group space held in the company of our horses, designed to support your wellbeing.

🌿 4 monthly sessions
🌿 3 hours each
🌿 £65 per session (thanks to new funding!)
🌿 No riding – just connection, reflection, nature & calm

📩 DM us or email info@horsesforwellbeing.org.uk to find out more.

We’ll only run the pilot if enough parents are interested – so let us know soon!

A special thank you to St. James the Great parish church in Dursley for raising funds and helping make this possible. @visitdursley

#TheyHaveSomethingToSay #EquineFacilitatedLearning #ParentCarerSupport #HorsesForWellbeing #TimeForYou #NatureHealing #SENDParents #WellbeingMatters

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🎉 They’ve got something to say 👀🐴 Our horses want to tell you…a brand new offer is here just for parents & carers. After two years of supporting children and young people with additional needs, one thing has become clear: parents and carers need support too! We’re launching a pilot programme of Equine Facilitated Learning for parents and carers - a small group space held in the company of our horses, designed to support your wellbeing. 🌿 4 monthly sessions 🌿 3 hours each 🌿 £65 per session (thanks to new funding!) 🌿 No riding – just connection, reflection, nature & calm 📩 DM us or email info@horsesforwellbeing.org.uk to find out more. We’ll only run the pilot if enough parents are interested – so let us know soon! A special thank you to St. James the Great parish church in Dursley for raising funds and helping make this possible. @visitdursley #TheyHaveSomethingToSay #EquineFacilitatedLearning #ParentCarerSupport #HorsesForWellbeing #TimeForYou #NatureHealing #SENDParents #WellbeingMatters

📚First day back at school 📝

For many of the young people we work with, today isn’t easy. New classrooms, new routines, new people and for children with additional needs, anxiety, or past challenges, it can feel overwhelming.

But here at Horses for Wellbeing, our herd is ready. 🐴💛

Ready to welcome familiar faces and new ones. Ready to offer calm, connection, and a space where no one is judged for needing to take things slow.

We’re so proud to be starting our new programme term and we can’t wait to see the children back in the fields, building confidence, and just breathing again.

You’ve got this. And we’re here. 💪🤍

#HorsesForWellbeing #BackToSchool #EquineFacilitatedLearning #EmotionalWellbeing #SENDsupport #AlternativeProvision #HealingWithHorses #FirstDayFeelings #WeAreReady #equineassistedlearning #horsesforhealing #equinetherapy #horsesofinstagram #empowerement #youthwork #wellbeing

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📚First day back at school 📝 For many of the young people we work with, today isn’t easy. New classrooms, new routines, new people and for children with additional needs, anxiety, or past challenges, it can feel overwhelming. But here at Horses for Wellbeing, our herd is ready. 🐴💛 Ready to welcome familiar faces and new ones. Ready to offer calm, connection, and a space where no one is judged for needing to take things slow. We’re so proud to be starting our new programme term and we can’t wait to see the children back in the fields, building confidence, and just breathing again. You’ve got this. And we’re here. 💪🤍 #HorsesForWellbeing #BackToSchool #EquineFacilitatedLearning #EmotionalWellbeing #SENDsupport #AlternativeProvision #HealingWithHorses #FirstDayFeelings #WeAreReady #equineassistedlearning #horsesforhealing #equinetherapy #horsesofinstagram #empowerement #youthwork #wellbeing

Salt licks help our horses balance vital minerals…one of many small ways we care for their wellbeing 🌿

#equineassistedlearning #horsesforhealing #equinetherapy #horsesofinstagram #empowerement #youthwork #wellbeing

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Salt licks help our horses balance vital minerals…one of many small ways we care for their wellbeing 🌿 #equineassistedlearning #horsesforhealing #equinetherapy #horsesofinstagram #empowerement #youthwork #wellbeing

When your best mate knows exactly where you’re itchy 🫶🐴

#equineassistedlearning #horsesforhealing #equinetherapy #horsesofinstagram #empowerement #youthwork #wellbeing #gotyourback

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When your best mate knows exactly where you’re itchy 🫶🐴 #equineassistedlearning #horsesforhealing #equinetherapy #horsesofinstagram #empowerement #youthwork #wellbeing #gotyourback