The pony paddocks programmes

 Stable Mind is a 6 week programme focussing on Anxiety & Worries. (1 hour per week, over 6 weeks)

This programme is suitable for anyone who is struggling to manage their anxieties & worries, or for those who's levels of anxiety are causing a negative impact on their wellbeing.

With the guidance of our magical mini herd, this programme aims for participants to:
    ●gain an understanding of what anxiety is
    ●recognise feelings of worry and anxiety, in ourselves and in the ponies/donkey
    ●be able to make a plan to manage our own anxieties & worries.

Studies suggest that 20.5% of youth worldwide now struggle with anxiety symptoms and, according to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 3  of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder.

"While it has long been understood that spending time with animals and pets can positively affect our mood, new research suggests that horses, ponies & donkeys may have a sixth sense that can identify anxiety, stress, and fear in humans, thus helping individuals identify these emotions in themselves" - THE ARBOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, 2019

Our programmes do not involving riding, and no prior experience with horses, ponies or donkeys is necessary.

During sessions, whilst with our magical Mini Herd, participants may spend time stroking, grooming, feeding, or leading the ponies/donkey — or even simply observing them. They will also work through their very own Stable Mind booklet, which they will be able to take home with them after their final session, to reflect on when facing future worries and anxieties.

The Pony Paddocks is a small and relaxed, home-based centre in a calm and tranquil environment, making it a perfect safe space for those suffering from anxiety.

All our programmes are currently only available to book as private sessions but, if there is enough interest, I will look at organising these programmes as group sessions during Spring/Summer.

To book on to our Stable Mind Programme, or to express interest in any potential group sessions of this programme, please message us via the messenger app or email us at info@theponypaddocks.co.uk 

 Happy Hooves is a 6 week programme focusing on Mindfulness & Wellbeing. (1 hour per week, over 6 weeks)

This programme is suitable for those needing a little boost to improve their mood, emotional health and wellbeing.

With the guidance of our magical mini herd, this programme aims to:

    ●Help improve mental health & wellbeing
    ●Empower participants with life skills that enable them to achieve their best possible health
    ●Help reduce the negative effects of stress

"Promoting children and young people’s wellbeing is a key part of keeping them safe, helping them develop and ensuring they have positive outcomes into adulthood" (Public Health England, 2021).

"Children who enjoy good Health and Wellbeing are innately curious. They have a zest for life which results in their taking advantage of opportunities to grow and develop, to advance their knowledge, skills and attitudes in all areas of learning." (Effective Practice: Health & Wellbeing, 2007)

"Interacting with equines raises our feel-good hormones called endorphins. These include serotonin and dopamine, the hormones that calm and relax the nervous system. When we begin to smile, laugh or converse with equines, we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, overall mood improvements, and lower symptoms of anxiety." (Essex.Mag 2021)

During this light-hearted programme, participants will enjoy activities and mindful moments with our ponies and donkey, which will encourage them to take the 5 steps to wellbeing; connect, be active, learn new skills, give and take notice.

Our programmes do not involving riding, and no prior experience with horses, ponies or donkeys is necessary.

With the 'January Blues' often causing feelings of low mood, sadness, lack of motivation, tiredness and low energy, there's no better time to get signed up to our Happy Hooves programme.

All our programmes are currently only available to book as private sessions but, if there is enough interest, I will look at organising these programmes as group sessions during Spring/Summer.

To book on to our Happy Hooves Programme, or to express interest in any potential group sessions of this programme, please message us via the messenger app or email us at info@theponypaddocks.co.uk 

Equines & Emotions is a 6 week programme that focuses on recognising, understanding & expressing emotions. (1 hour per week, over 6 weeks) 

Emotional literacy is the ability to understand, express and cope with emotions. It's a skill that children will develop as they grow, but can also be nurtured throughout childhood.

This programme is suitable for anyone who is having difficulties recognising, expressing or talking about their emotions & feelings. 

"When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary" - Fred Rogers

With the guidance of our magical mini herd, this programme aims to help participants to:

    ●Gain an understanding of a variety of emotions

    ●Recognise different emotions, in themselves, and in the ponies/donkey

    ●Be able to talk about their emotions and feelings. 

Horses, ponies & donkeys will be quick to tell you two things: How YOU are feeling and how THEY are feeling.

Interaction with equines offers lots of opportunity to discuss, recognise and reflect on a variety of emotions. 

Our programmes do not involving riding, and no prior experience with horses, ponies or donkeys is necessary.

Equines & Emotions is fab programme to introduce children and young people to Equine Assisted Learning. 

All our programmes are currently only available to book as private sessions but, if there is enough interest, I will look at organising these programmes as group sessions during Spring/Summer.

To book on to our Equines & Emotions Programme, or to express interest in any potential group sessions of this programme, please message us via the messenger app on our social media or email us at info@theponypaddocks.co.uk

Programme Objectives – 

• To gain an understanding about what anger is

• To recognise feelings of anger, in ourselves and in the ponies/donkey

• To learn healthy ways to express and deal with anger.  

More information coming soon!

More information coming soon!