Equine | Stable Futures

Equine Offer

Therapeutic Horsemanship & Equine-Facilitated Learning

At Stable Futures, our equine programme offers a powerful therapeutic experience for children and young people aged 6 to 18 who may be struggling with emotional, behavioural, or educational challenges.

"Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquillity to troubled souls. They give us hope."

— Toni Robinson

We deliver:

Therapeutic Horsemanship
Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)
Accredited sessions under the RDA Accessibility Mark Group

Why Horses?

Horses are deeply intuitive and emotionally attuned animals. They mirror human behaviour, respond to non-verbal cues, and live entirely in the present—offering patience, acceptance, and a chance to reconnect.

Research shows strong neurological and emotional parallels between horses and humans. This makes them exceptional partners in therapeutic work, especially for children who may be resistant to traditional, verbal therapies.

Through experiential sessions, learners develop:

Self-awareness
Emotional regulation
Confidence and resilience
Empathy and relationship skills

The Equine Experience

Therapeutic Horsemanship with LEAP

Rooted in the LEAP framework, our Therapeutic Horsemanship sessions offer a powerful blend of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) and Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL). Working alongside horses in a calm, natural setting encourages individuals to connect with the present moment—“the here and now”—opening space for meaningful self-reflection, emotional growth, and increased self-awareness. Whether supporting mental health, building confidence, or enhancing emotional regulation, our approach offers a gentle yet impactful path to personal development through the healing presence of horses.

Our Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions are:

Experiential – children learn through doing, feeling, and reflecting
Bespoke – tailored to meet each learner’s needs
Flexible – offered short or long-term

Working with horses involves the whole self—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Lessons learned through these experiences are deeply embedded and transferable to everyday relationships and challenges.

Children form genuine relationships with our horses—building trust, learning boundaries, and processing emotions in a calm, natural environment.

Our Team & Approach

We take the time it takes.

Our Equine Programme is delivered by a dedicated, skilled team with a strong focus on both welfare and therapeutic outcomes.

Our Animal Lead Tutor is a certified RDA Group Coach, holds a Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning, and a BSc(Hons) in Equine Studies with Science.
They have completed the LEAP induction course, which underpins our trauma-informed, therapeutic approach to equine work.
Our Equine Team are experienced horse professionals with extensive knowledge in the care of rescue horses, equine welfare, and the therapeutic needs of children.
LEAP Registered Practitioner: LEAP have been leading the field of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning since 2006, making them one of the most established training providers in the UK

All sessions are underpinned by both the Therapeutic Horsemanship and RDA frameworks, ensuring emotional safety, structure, and purpose.

"Horses reflect our emotions, while at the same time they seem to know how to give us exactly what we need to soothe our pain."

— Barbara schulte

Refer With Confidence

Our equine services are bespoke. We work closely with referrers to build a programme that supports the unique needs of each child or young person. Whether the goal is to build confidence, regulate emotions, or prepare for re-engagement in education, our horses—and our team—help young people take meaningful steps forward.

Meet our Horses

At Stable Futures, our horses are at the heart of everything we do. Each one plays a vital role in helping children and young people build confidence, trust, and emotional resilience.

Our herd is made up of gentle, intuitive, and carefully selected horses, many of whom have their own unique backgrounds and stories. They form meaningful connections with our learners, responding without judgment and offering calm, consistent companionship.

Through Therapeutic Horsemanship and Equine Facilitated Learning, our horses help young people develop a greater understanding of themselves and others. Their natural sensitivity and emotional awareness make them powerful partners in supporting trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and personal growth.

Each horse brings something special to our work—from quiet encouragement and patience, to playful energy and confidence-building.

Get to know the incredible horses who help us build stable futures.

Trigger

Trigger is a chilled-out chap with the perfect balance of bravery and sensitivity. On loan to us from a kind local family, he’s settled beautifully into life at Stable Futures and quickly become a firm favourite among staff and learners.

Friendly and affectionate, Trigger enjoys spending time with his herd and will happily stand for hours being fussed and scratched. He brings a calming presence to those around him but isn’t without his quirks—his playful personality often shines through!

And let’s not forget that incredible mane... definitely the envy of the yard!

Georgia

Georgia arrived at Stable Futures as a short-term foster placement—but it didn’t take long for her to steal our hearts. She settled in so well with both her herd and our team that we knew she was here to stay.

We’re still getting to know each other, but Georgia is already showing great potential as a future therapy horse. With her calm presence and gentle spirit, we’re confident she has a bright future helping young people grow in confidence and connection.

We’re so excited to have her as part of the family.

Tina Turner

Tina Turner—yes, our very own diva—is a sassy Dartmoor Hill pony bursting with personality! A real character, Tina makes her presence known and is never shy about expressing her likes and dislikes.

Despite her bold streak, Tina is incredibly sweet to work with on the ground. She has a wonderful ability to help children feel seen, valued, and loved, offering gentle connection with a spark of fun.

Always the first to step up for activities, Tina throws herself into everything with enthusiasm and heart. Whether it’s a quiet session or something more lively, Tina is ready to shine—and she does, every time.

Mouse

Mouse is a lovely and independent pony with a quiet strength about him. He’s never been one for too much fuss and prefers to keep things on his own terms—but those who know him well appreciate his calm, observant nature.

Now enjoying a well-earned retirement, Mouse is no longer part of our active therapy sessions with young people. However, he still plays an important role at Stable Futures—often watching from a distance as learners work with other horses, keeping a wise and watchful eye on all that’s happening.

Mouse reminds us that even in stillness, there is great presence.

Major

Major is a gentle giant with a big heart. With his strong physical presence, he may appear bold and confident—but beneath it all, he’s a sensitive soul who thrives on connection and understanding.

He absolutely loves people and would happily follow you around all day if he could! Because of his size and sensitivity, Major is incredibly powerful in his ability to help young people learn about boundaries, communication, and mutual respect.

Major often teaches us that being strong doesn’t mean being tough—and that true connection comes from trust, not control.

Marley

Marley is a strong-willed yet deeply sensitive boy who commands respect—not just from his herd, but from the people around him too. With a bold personality and a kind heart, Marley is especially gifted at helping individuals build trust, both in themselves and others.

He’s a firm favourite at Stable Futures, supporting learners of all levels. Whether you're just beginning your journey or already growing in confidence, Marley has a way of adapting and connecting. Because of this, he’s always in high demand—and he doesn’t seem to mind being a busy boy!

We’re incredibly grateful to Marley for the many lessons he continues to share.

Boo

Boo came to Stable Futures after experiencing a very traumatic start to life. When she arrived, she was in poor physical and emotional condition—but with time, care, and patience, she has slowly rebuilt her trust in people and found a safe, loving home.

Boo has a calm and grounded presence, making her especially well-suited to support learners who need space to be still, reflect, and process. She forms gentle connections and offers quiet companionship, allowing young people to feel seen and safe.

A wise and caring teacher, Boo has already supported many on their personal journeys—and we know she will continue to touch hearts.

Pickle

Pickle came to Stable Futures through sad circumstances, but her story has taken a positive turn. Now surrounded by a caring herd of mares and a team that adores her, Pickle is thriving in her peaceful new life.

She’s a deeply sensitive soul who forms strong emotional bonds with both animals and humans. As she begins her journey as a therapy horse, Pickle is showing a natural ability to connect with those who need her most.

We feel incredibly lucky to be part of her healing journey.

Dylan

Dylan is our little pocket rocket—full of energy, charm, and heart! Though small in size, he plays a big role at Stable Futures, especially when it comes to supporting our younger or more nervous learners.

On the lead rein, Dylan is steady and reliable, helping children feel safe and build confidence around horses. But with our more experienced young people, he’s more than happy to step things up a gear, showing off his playful and responsive side.

He absolutely loves attention, cuddles, and making new friends—and he’s made plenty of human ones already! Dylan’s gentle size and warm personality make him the perfect partner for those just beginning their journey with horses.

Elvis

Elvis is a gentle soul who has come a long way on his journey with us. When he first arrived, he lacked trust in people—but thanks to his naturally kind and sensitive nature, we were able to gently build his confidence and form a strong bond.

Gifted to Stable Futures by caring local individuals who were concerned about his welfare, Elvis has since found his purpose. He now works closely with some of our more experienced young people, teaching them the power of patience, calmness, and quiet resilience.

Elvis shows us that healing takes time—and that trust, once earned, can open doors to powerful growth for both horse and human.

Cali

Cali is our elegant retired Arabian mare, full of personality and charm. Now in her late twenties, she enjoys a calm and comfortable life with us—but make no mistake, she still keeps us on our toes!

Before joining Stable Futures, Cali spent many years living alone in a small field with little interaction from other horses. Since arriving, she has embraced life in a herd, while still holding on to her independent spirit and a few fabulous diva-like tendencies.

Cali loves her routine, adores her food, and isn’t shy about letting us know—loud and clear—when something isn’t quite to her liking. She’s a true character and a cherished member of the Stable Futures family.

Tufty

Tufty is full of character and charm—and absolutely loves being the centre of attention! Having previously lived with a family and a young child, he’s well-accustomed to human company and brings a playful energy to the herd.

He enjoys nothing more than playing with his pony friends and soaking up every bit of fuss and affection from those around him. While Tufty is still discovering his unique role at Stable Futures, he’s already made a big impression—especially with our older young people, who adore his personality.

Tufty’s journey is just beginning, and we’re excited to see how he continues to grow and shine.

Billy

Billy is a handsome Welsh pony with a big personality and an even bigger heart. He came into our care after being found abandoned in a local field, but he's since become a much-loved part of the Stable Futures family.

As the self-declared boss of his herd, Billy takes his role seriously—keeping everyone in line, while still finding time to kick up his heels and chase his friends around the field in play. He brings plenty of energy and character to the yard!

While he’s often ridden by staff, Billy is a firm favourite among the young people here. His cheeky charm, steady nature, and playful spirit make him a joy to work with during sessions.

Billy reminds us that no matter where your story begins, there's always the chance for a new, happier chapter.

Zebedee

Zeb is a truly special pony with a gentle, intuitive nature. While he isn’t ridden, Zeb plays a vital role in our work with young people through free schooling and join-up sessions—powerful ways to build trust, respect, and mutual awareness.

Zeb encourages learners to be present in the moment, helping them connect through body language, calm energy, and clear communication. These non-ridden interactions are deeply impactful and give young people a chance to experience connection without words.

Quiet, wise, and incredibly in tune with those around him, Zeb offers something very unique—he helps people meet themselves and others with honesty and presence.