Equine Programmes

At Stable Futures, our equine programmes offer powerful therapeutic experiences 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

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
Teamwork and leadership skills

We deliver:

Therapeutic Horsemanship
Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)
Accredited sessions under our RDA accredited Centre framework

Therapeutic Horsemanship (TH)

Stable Futures offers a Therapeutic Horsemanship–informed provision designed to support children and young people through structured, purposeful interaction with horses.

Our programme is primarily unmounted, focusing on groundwork, horse care, observation, and stable-based activities that promote emotional regulation, confidence, communication and functional skills. Sessions are tailored to individual needs and delivered within a safe, supportive environment.

For learners referred through Amegreen Children’s Services, including learning disability homes and Amegreen Education, a small amount of carefully risk-assessed riding may be incorporated where appropriate. This is offered only through agreed referral routes and as part of bespoke support plans.

All therapeutic horsemanship activities are delivered in line with the individual learner’s abilities, needs, and outcomes.

Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL)

Equine Facilitated Learning is a core part of the Stable Futures offer and is available to all learners. It is a ground-based, experiential approach that uses purposeful interaction with horses to support personal development and essential life skills.

Through unmounted, activity-led sessions, learners develop communication, emotional awareness, problem-solving, teamwork, confidence and emotional regulation. Horses respond naturally and honestly to human behaviour, providing immediate, non-judgemental feedback that encourages reflection, self-awareness and positive change.

Our EFL sessions are practical and reflective, helping learners learn by doing and reflecting. They are also bespoke, shaped around individual needs and goals, and flexible, offered on a short or long-term basis. Working alongside horses engages the whole self, physically, emotionally and mentally, helping learning become meaningful, memorable and transferable to everyday life.

In a calm and supportive environment, learners build genuine relationships with horses, develop trust and understand boundaries. They can explore and process emotions in ways that support wellbeing, engagement and personal growth across a wide range of needs and abilities.

Our Team and 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.

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

Equine Accreditation Pathways

All provision is delivered within our overarching Animal Care Framework, ensuring a structured and outcomes-focused approach.

Learners can achieve industry-recognised accreditations, including ASDAN, AQA Unit Awards, and RDA Proficiency Tests, which evidence skill development and progression.

These pathways support learners to move towards work experience, further education or training, and, where appropriate, paid employment, in line with individual education and support plans.

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 carefully selected for temperament and suitability. Many have their own unique backgrounds and are supported to form calm, consistent relationships with learners in a safe, structured environment.

Through Therapeutic Horsemanship and Equine Facilitated Learning, we help learners develop self-awareness, communication and relational skills. Our horses’ natural sensitivity supports work around emotional regulation, trauma-informed practice and personal development.

Each horse contributes in different ways, supporting engagement through gentle interaction, routine and purposeful activity.

Scroll down to meet the horses who support our work and help learners take meaningful steps forward.

Trigger

Trigger is a calm, steady horse with a great balance of bravery and sensitivity. On loan to us from a local family, he has settled beautifully into life at Stable Futures and has quickly become a firm favourite with staff and learners.

Friendly and affectionate, Trigger enjoys spending time with the herd and will happily stand being fussed and scratched. He brings a reassuring presence to those around him, while his playful personality still shines through.

And his mane really is something special, definitely the envy of the yard.

Georgia

Georgia arrived at Stable Futures as a short-term foster placement, but it did not take long for her to become a much-loved part of the herd. She settled in so well with both the horses and our team that we knew she was here to stay.

We are still getting to know each other, but Georgia is already showing strong potential as a future therapy horse. With her calm presence and gentle nature, we are confident she will support young people to build confidence and connection.

We are very pleased to have Georgia as part of Stable Futures.

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 a joy to work with on the ground. She has a wonderful way of helping children feel seen, valued and cared for, offering gentle connection with a spark of fun.

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

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 is a sensitive horse who thrives on connection and understanding.

He loves being around people and would happily follow you all day if he could. Because of his size and sensitivity, Major is especially effective at helping young people learn about boundaries, communication and mutual respect.

Major often reminds us that being strong does not mean being tough, and that real connection comes from trust rather than control.

Marley

Marley is strong-willed yet deeply sensitive, and he commands respect from both his herd and the people around him. With a bold personality and a kind nature, Marley is especially good at helping learners build trust, in themselves and in others.

He is a firm favourite at Stable Futures and supports learners at every stage. Whether someone is just beginning their journey or growing in confidence, Marley has a way of adapting and connecting. As a result, he is often in high demand, and he does not seem to mind being a busy boy.

We are very grateful to Marley for the many lessons he continues to share.

Boo

Boo came to Stable Futures after 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 home.

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

A steady, caring teacher, Boo has already supported many learners on their personal journeys, and we know she will continue to have a lasting impact.

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 did not trust people, but thanks to his kind and sensitive nature, we were able to build his confidence gradually and form a strong bond.

Elvis was gifted to Stable Futures by local individuals who were concerned about his welfare. He has since found his place within our programme and now works closely with some of our more experienced young people, helping them learn the value of patience, calmness and quiet resilience.

Elvis reminds us that healing takes time, and that trust, once earned, can open the door to meaningful growth for both horse and human.

Tufty

Tufty is full of character and charm, and he loves being the centre of attention. Having previously lived with a family and a young child, he is well used to human company and brings a playful energy to the herd.

He enjoys playing with his pony friends and soaking up fuss and affection from everyone around him. While Tufty is still settling into his role at Stable Futures, he has already made a big impression, especially with our older young people, who really enjoy working with him.

Tufty’s journey is just beginning, and we are 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 has since become a much-loved part of the Stable Futures family.

As the self-declared boss of the 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. He brings plenty of energy and character to the yard.

While he is often ridden by staff, Billy is a firm favourite with 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 is always a chance for a new, happier chapter.

Zebedee

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

Zeb encourages learners to stay present in the moment, connecting through body language, calm energy and clear communication. These non-ridden sessions can be deeply impactful and give young people the chance to experience connection without words.

Quiet, steady and highly attuned to those around him, Zeb offers something unique. He helps young people meet themselves and others with honesty, confidence and presence.

Refer With Confidence

Working closely with our referral partners, we provide tailored support based on individual need. Our referral pathways include a close partnership with Amegreen Children’s Services, supporting their learning disability homes, as well as Amegreen Education, including Haywards Farm School and Northcroft School. We also accept external referrals from local areas and surrounding counties.

Our equine services are bespoke. We work with referrers to shape a programme that meets the unique needs of each child or young person. Whether the aim is to build confidence, support emotional regulation or prepare for re-engagement in education, our horses and our team help learners take meaningful steps forward.