Through equine-facilitated learning, we provide unique opportunities for personal growth, helping young people re-engage with their education and build a brighter future. We have successfully seen horses and equine-facilitated learning significantly change a young person’s life for the better, with 78% of participants leaving the programme with a planned onward pathway in education, training or employment (Spring 2024).
Who is the programme for?
The programme welcomes children and young people aged 5-25 years who have additional needs in the widest sense who would benefit from access to equine facilitated learning. Participants may include those with special educational needs, including social and emotional mental health needs, those who may be disengaged or excluded from education, those who are without a school place or are electively home educated and those who may have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences.
What does the programme involve?
The programme aims to develop and support six key life skills:
- Communication
- Confidence
- Teamwork
- Building relationships
- Perseverance
- Responsibility
88% of students make progress in at least one key skill area (2023)
It is structured around two frameworks for younger and older participants, offering horse care and ridden modules (some centres only offer horse care) with awards and certificates to recognise achievement.
Each award’s activities help participants develop these life skills, which are transferable to school, further education or social settings. Participants also practice learning skills linked to their school curriculum and build a portfolio of equine knowledge that could lead to further industry qualifications.
Some centres offer an Ofqual-accredited Personal Development Qualification at Entry Level 3, Level 1 and Level 2.
To find out more about the awards included in the programme please download the information here.
When was the programme developed?
We developed and piloted the programme in 2016 with excellent feedback from the twelve centres involved. Since then, the programme has grown, with over 130 trained centres nationwide and with over 3,270 young people accessing the programme to date. Our coaches receive support to run the programme and regular training from our dedicated Changing Lives through Horses team.
How is the programme delivered?
Our approved CLtH centres offer the programme in various formats, from full school days for small groups to 1:1 sessions tailored to individual needs and the referring schools’ requirements.
We have a robust referral process where our centres and coaches collaborate with you and your school to make sure the programme suits you, considering safeguarding, risk assessments and expected outcomes. The programme can be offered over a set period, as part of a broader support package, or as an open-ended referral reviewed regularly by the school and the centre.
The programme is a part-time educational provision, and all centres must comply with the maximum number of hours set by the DfE and their local authority.
Who delivers the programme?
The programme can be accessed at BHS Approved Riding Centres, where the experienced staff are inclusive and passionate about helping young people thrive. All the CLtH centre staff receive training and support from our dedicated team at the BHS.
Find your closest Changing Lives through Horses centre here
Does my child need to have equine knowledge?
The programme welcomes all children and young people, from those who have little to no equine experience to those who have more experience. The breadth of the programme really can cater for everyone that would benefit from developing their personal skills through equine-facilitated learning. The BHS Approved Riding Centre can provide riding boots and hats for the sessions if required.
How long is the programme?
You can join the programme at any time during the year. There is no set time to stay on the programme, this is very much dependant on the needs of the individual.
What about safeguarding?
All Changing Lives through Horses centre staff will have the appropriate safeguarding training and employment checks for them to work with children as part of an educational programme. If your child is enrolled at a school, the designated safeguarding lead and SENCO will also have an overview of the alternative provision placement to make sure it is appropriate for your child.
If your child is enrolled at a school, the school will be registering their attendance at the riding centre as alternative provision.
Do I need to pay for the programme?
The BHS fundraises to provide all learning materials and training needed for the programme. Occasionally, bursaries are available for individual sessions, but usually the costs are covered by the school or referral agency. Session costs vary by centre based on location, staffing and horses. Contact your nearest BHS Changing Lives through Horses centre for options.
Funding options include:
- Schools and local authorities may fund alternative provision for special educational needs or if a child is out of school for any reason. The SEN Code of Practice requires schools to make reasonable adjustments, which may include this programme.
- If you have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan), access to CLtH may support plan outcomes and meet the needs that have been identified in your plan, with some local authorities and schools receiving additional funding for those with EHCPs.
- Bursaries: Available occasionally through BHS, depending on charitable donations, to assist those without other funding options. Please discuss with the centre directly as they will be able to apply for you.
- Private funding: Parents and carers may choose to pay for sessions if they are able to do so.
Other local charities may support access to the programme.
What happens after the programme?
The programme will look to support you with your next steps, whether you hope to continue into further education programmes with school or college, training opportunities including apprenticeships or are looking to work towards a career pathway and gain successful employment.
There are many possible progression opportunities from the programme that will allow you to continue to develop and be in an environment that supports the changes you’ve made.
Some of the possible next steps:
Education
- Riding for the Disabled Association Volunteer Scheme
- BHS Recreational Awards
- College courses – the programme can support you to explore what courses are available that may be of interest to you and explain the application process
- Local apprenticeship opportunities – the programme can support you to look into apprenticeships and explain the application process
Employment
- Apprenticeship scheme with the British Horseracing Authority
- BHS Professional Qualifications
- Local opportunities with BHS centres
- Local opportunities with businesses and charities
Testimonials
Charlie
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When Charlie first joined us, he was an anxious young man who found the school environment an overwhelming, sometimes scary experience. In his words “School and the classroom are like a thunderstorm that never stops, there is never any calm or quiet, but I like horses as they listen and never ask questions”.
He found having to sit still and not being allowed to fidget made it hard to concentrate on what was being taught and he would lose interest easily. He joined the Changing Lives through Horses programme in year 6 and spent one day a week with us.
Over his time with us, we focused on keeping tasks short or having plenty of mini breaks where Charlie could go and have a walk, see his favourite pony and have a change of scenery. He would then return after 5/10 minutes ready to focus and continue to learn.
He learnt that a classroom isn’t always a noisy place with lots of rules and, by the end of his time with us, he would quite happily sit and complete a written task.
Over the year he spent with us, we watched him grow from the anxious, unconfident boy to a funny, caring, confident young man who loved to have a joke with all the staff and his peers. He took younger members of the group under his wing when they first started and showed them the ropes around the yard, often to be heard saying to them “it’s tricky at first, but you can do it”.
In the year he was awarded six of the achieve awards and grew a huge amount in all six of the key life skill areas. We worked closely with his family and his primary school. Together we built enough evidence to change his placing from a main stream secondary school to a SEN placement where he started last September full time and is thriving.
Charlie still comes to see us once a week for a riding lesson and a catch up on how the week has gone.
Imogen
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I cannot thank Carrie and her team enough for the support they have given Imogen and us as a family. As a mum, to watch your child's mental health deteriorate like it did was heart breaking, my once bubbly little girl had become withdrawn, low in mood and was hiding in her bedroom.
It felt such a lonely time for us all, like we were losing our daughter, and no one was helping even though we were reaching out left, right and centre. Then I contacted Stable Lives and life began to change, there was a spark back in my daughter's eyes, there was hope and something for her to work for.
Imogen has a dual diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, she was eventually unable to attend school at all due to her mental health. School initially funded the Changing Lives through Horses programme and then Stable Lives offered further funded sessions so that Imogen could continue to make progress.
After 16 long months Imogen has stepped back through the school door, it’s not perfect and some days we still don't make it, but the progression is there, there is a purpose for life back for Imogen. Imogen is now enjoying the odd riding lesson of a weekend at the stables too.
I cannot thank all at Stable Lives enough, from me and my family thank you for caring, thank you for believing in our children, thank you for giving my daughter her life back.
Becky (parent)
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My daughters have not transitioned from primary school into secondary school at all well. The only thing that has kept them going is participating in this programme at Divoky Riding School.
They are autistic and have ADHD, so some things are still very hard for them, but the programme is excellent. It has given them a confidence boost as they are not only good at something, but they are being praised for doing well on the programme.
They can’t attend school at all now but are accessing the programme two days a week. They are so excited the night before/morning they go as its just their ‘happy/safe place’
They now both want to work within the equine industry – as parents of children who struggle with so much, we couldn’t see a future after they finished school and now we can see that there is something they could excel in and are naturally at ease with.
Our daughters said being around the horses is relaxing, their anxiety levels drop and they just feel zero pressure as they aren’t having to pretend to be someone just to fit in as horses don’t care what make up you wear or music you listen to! They do enjoy the classwork side of things as well as they are very creative/artistic and like to draw in the book.
If it wasn’t for this programme, the girls would have been permanently excluded. It teaches them so much about life without them realising it and is giving them skills for the future.
For any parent unsure you should definitely let your child try. They are gaining certificates for various things but are also learning to ride and are outside in all winds/weathers which they absolutely love!
I can’t praise this scheme or the riding school/staff highly enough. We still have education challenges to deal with outside of this programme but this has made a huge difference to our lives.
If you know someone you’d like to refer to the programme, or if you wish to enrol on the programme yourself, please contact one of our BHS Approved Changing Lives through Horses Centres. We have centres nationwide that deliver the programme and they will be able to guide you through the enrolment process. Find a centre near you.
