Lived Experience

Six-year-old Benjamin takes part in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions at Coombe Park, our Education and Equestrian Centre near Totnes.

Tegan-Jai from Plymouth is a remarkable 14 year old. When she was born with an inoperable brain condition, her parents Toni and Adam were told she would never walk, talk, eat or live beyond her first birthday. But Tegan defied her prognosis with extraordinary bravery and determination, to do all the things doctors said she wouldn’t, with the help of our Equine Assisted Services sessions.

Emma was one of the participants of a ‘This Girl Can -Exercise with Equines’ scheme, funded by Sport England and run by us here at the sanctuary.

It’s being with the equine partner that makes the sessions so impactful. After doing equine assisted wellbeing with The Mare and Foal Sanctuary I certainly understand, at a much deeper intrinsic level, the benefits of developing a bond with a horse."

“When I mentioned that I love horses, my support worker told me about The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s This Girl Can Exercise with Equines programme funded by Sport England. I struggle with anxiety and had become quite isolated. I wanted to try something different and coming to the sanctuary felt like it might be a good fit."

For Maisie, equine assisted activity sessions are about rebuilding confidence. Maisie has only recently begun her sessions at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s Coombe Park Education and Equestrian Centre, but mum, Lucy, is already noticing a difference.

Daisy joined our equine assisted learning programme to help with feelings of anxiety. Working alongside our equine assisted learning facilitators and our rescued horses and ponies can help to build a sense of connection for participants.

When Tilly joined our equine assisted learning programme her anxiety was having a serious impact on her daily life. She was unable to go to school or leave the house.