The aim of a course is to provide a safe, calm and welcoming place where individuals can come to develop new skill sets and begin to focus on emotional and mental insecurities; we do this by utilising horse and land-based activities. Using a combination of direct work with our rescue ponies and working through a stable management syllabus participants feel a sense of achievement. Many of our horses and ponies have a history of physical and mental neglect/abuse before they found their home at Stable Lives. We share their stories to help children and young adults navigate processing emotional and mental issues and insecurities within their own lives.
Who is the course for?
In our experience, course participants arrive with a variety of mental and emotional challenges. These challenges can be either home or school related – or in some cases both. We work with a range of children and young adults, referred to us for a variety of reasons from lack of confidence, low self-esteem and feelings of low self-worth to complex cases of PTSD, self-harm, depression and suicidal thoughts. Our unique programmes mean bespoke support to each participant. Our team have completed additional training to support neurodiverse participants but it is relevant to note that we are primarily a mental health intervention.
Holistically we will focus on:
- Building trust and developing empathy with others.
- Recognising mental trauma in horses and understanding how to rehabilitate them and reintroduce them into a calm environment (this is then discussed and related to human behaviour).
- Building confidence to learn new skills.
- Developing the ability to read equine body language and then to relate it to human body language.
- Developing improved feelings of self-worth and self-esteem.
- Develop a personal strategy to recognise and the deal with feelings of depression, anxiety and stress.
- Empower participants to look out of their own lives into the community to see how they can support and educate others.
How does the course work?
Stable Lives child and young adult courses are run over 6 consecutive weeks (1 day a week, for an hour per week). In certain situations, the timings for courses can be increased, but generally once a week is the normal provision. Alongside mental health support, participants work through a basic industry recognised stable management certificate. This can be achieved as our staff are highly qualified within the British Horse Society and therefore can train and assess onsite.
1-1 Support
Age Range: 5- 18.
Direct + Schools/ Services Referral
Six one hour sessions run in a similar way to the group sessions, however, provide more focus to the individual. Particular circumstances may mean a 1-1 session is more beneficial.
- Learning tailored to the individual
- No equine knowledge or experience needed
- Riding may be included (but not guaranteed course is tailored to the individual’s personal development)
- All relevant equipment, workbooks and craft materials included
Group Support
Age Range: 5-18 (Similar ages)
Direct Referral
This six 1 hour sessions are for those dealing with a variety of mental, social or behavioural challenges; tailored to individuals needs – the aim for all is to build confidence, self-esteem, self-worth and resilience.
- A mix of children/ young. Adults selected by Stable Lives
- Learning tailored to the individuals
- No equine knowledge or experience needed
- Riding may be included (but not guaranteed course is tailored to the individual’s personal development)
- All relevant equipment, workbooks and craft materials included
- Download Child Group Referral Spreadsheet here
Bespoke Group Support
Age Range: 5-18 (Similar ages)
Direct + Schools/ Services Referral
Working with the school/ service we will be able to create a bespoke programme to maximise the support for the identified group.
- Learning tailored to the individuals
- No equine knowledge or experience needed
- Riding may be included (but not guaranteed course is tailored to the individual’s personal development)
- All relevant equipment, workbooks and craft materials included
Additional Opportunities
We are able to offer limited, bespoke support and offer long term educational placements for children who may not be in the education system. This is done utilising an education support syllabus through the British Horse Society, Changing Lives Through Horses scheme of work.