The Changing Lives Through Horses Programme

Is perfect for young people who don’t quite fit into mainstream school and who would thrive in an environment such as our riding centre. We at Happy Hooves are overjoyed to be able to offer the Changing Lives programme to our community.

Whilst examining the equine tourism exam at a Centre which provided alternative learning to children disengaged from Education and seeing how this programme has changed so many young adults and children’s lives and outlook.  It has been a passion for myself and staff to be able to offer this excellent course.

We support children and young Adults to develop skills and the desire to be able to continue with their education and eventually gain employment. I passionately believe that horses can play a remarkable role in helping young people when other methods have failed. The equestrian workplace provides a powerful way of inspiring children and young people to engage connect and improve their wellbeing and outlook on life. The course that we are working towards is designed for beginners so it is not important for the young person to have any experience working with horses or the outdoors, they simply have to show a desire to be in this environment.

It is also not necessary for the young person to learn to ride a horse although this is certainly an option and in our experience, a big attraction for being on this course. These projects can be made as flexible as possible to suit individuals’ needs, and can adapt the sessions accordingly. We would however recommend that weekly attendance is necessary to ensure good progression and continuity of learning.

We understand that schools are already under financial pressure so we intend to keep the costs to a minimum in the hope that it will be affordable.

We can be flexible on times and days between 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.

Please note our 14-stone weight maximum. Riding is not compulsory.

Our Vision

‘To support people to develop the skills, and the desire, to return to education and/or employment’

We passionately believe that horses have a remarkable role to play in the help available to young people when more traditional methods have failed them. The equestrian environment provides a powerful way of inspiring young people to connect, improve well-being and become productive members of society.

With our 531 British Horse Society Approved Riding Centres in the UK, supported by more than 20,000 BHS Instructors, we intend to bring this formidable infrastructure to the forefront of helping young people connect into society through education and employment. Changing Lives through Horses is a new educational programme which will be shaped over time to provide a wholly sustainable intervention which will change the lives of those it reaches.

Our Mission

The BHS will work in partnership to deliver a programme which meets the needs of disengaged young people, to change their lives through the development of key life skills, and engage them back into society. The success of the programme will be measured through the evidence of change within key skill areas. We will be led by the following core principles:

• To change lives through horses
• To be sustainable
• To build effective partnerships to create a world class education initiative
• To be knowledge based
• To nurture now for the future

Who Are The Target Audience?

The programme will be aimed at young people in secondary school education who would be more suited to an alternative provision to mainstream school. We envisage over time the programme will be expanded to support a wider disengaged community.

If you would like any further information regarding our courses, please call 017684 84545 or email happyhoovesriding@gmail.com.

We at Happy Hooves are overjoyed to be able to offer the Changing Lives programme to our community. Whilst assessing the equine tourism exam at a Centre which provided alternative learning to children disengaged from Education and seeing how it has changed many young adults and  children’s lives and outlook.  It has been a passion for myself to be able to offer this excellent course.

We support children and young Adults to develop skills and the desire to be able to continue with their education and eventually gain employment. I passionately believe that horses can play a remarkable role in helping young people when other methods have failed. The equestrian workplace provides a powerful way of inspiring children and young people to engage connect and improve their well-being and outlook on life.

What does the programme look like?

The Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH) programme is an educational and character-building programme which encompasses the development of Life Skills and academic achievement within an equine environment. There are six fundamental Life Skills which are the foundation for helping young people flourish. These life skills are weaved through the programme for all ages of participants:

• Building relationships
• Communication
• Confidence
• Responsibility
• Teamwork
• Perseverance

There are two bespoke frameworks within the programme, depending on the age of the participant.

• 5-11years old Achievers Framework Aim: To return to education
• 11-25years old Explorers Framework Aim: To return to education (school or college) or continue to employment

Each CLTH Framework has been linked to the National Curriculum (NC). The Achievers Framework has been mapped to the NC for KS1 and KS2 and The Explorers Framework has been mapped to KS3 and core subjects within KS4.

Each framework involves numerous awards which the participant can work towards and achieve in manageable timeframes. The award ensures there is simple progression as well as a change for personal achievement and recognition at regular intervals. They allow for regular and clear feedback between the CLTH centre, the school and the parents or carers

.

What experience is required?

The programme does not require the participant to have any previous experience of working with horses or the outdoors; they simply have to show a desire to be in this environment. It is also not necessary for the participant to learn to ride as part of this programme, although this certainly is an option and could potentially be a big attraction.