Welcome to our very first blog! We’re excited to take you through the journey that’s brought us to where we are today. Each month, we’ll share with you the many adventures, breakthroughs, and, undoubtedly, some heart-warming and often comical moments of working alongside both animals and children.
At Horses for Wellbeing, we are deeply committed to supporting the mental wellbeing of young people. Our mission merges this passion with the remarkable, intuitive power that horses bring to the therapeutic process.
Our story began with the life and legacy of Christina Knudsen, whose profound love for horses and desire to help the youth lived on even after her tragic passing in 2016. Christina fought a brave battle against cancer, but it was her wish that her enthusiasm for horses, and her dream to help young people, continued long after she was gone.
In May 2023, we proudly registered Horses for Wellbeing as a charity, and work began on transforming Christina’s property, Windrush, into a purpose-built Equine Facilitated Learning Centre.
Our herd of incredible horses was carefully chosen, and by December 2023, seven wonderful horses arrived to begin settling into their new home. They spent the next few weeks adjusting to the environment in preparation for our grand opening in January 2024.
The first year of Horses for Wellbeing has been nothing short of extraordinary. We successfully ran three 12-week courses, and hosted four summer camps across the season, impacting over 130 children who experienced the life-changing power of equine-facilitated learning.
We are incredibly fortunate to have received generous support from a range of charities, donors, and our local community. This support has enabled us to reach a wide spectrum of children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, ensuring we can offer help where it’s most needed. We are truly grateful for the kindness and generosity of everyone who has supported us, helping to create a stronger, more connected community.
Our Journey: From Vision to Reality
