Horses Help Children

Therapeutic Care & Purpose: Horses Helping Children

Healthy Hooves Equine is home to a registered equine assisted therapy team, The Ranch @ Higher Manor Farm, who are a community focused organisation with a strong social mission, offering various equine assisted therapies and educational programmes aimed at promoting mental and emotional well-being. They operate on-site Monday–Friday.

A programme offered by The Ranch Team in collaboration with Lin & Rob, supports bereaved children, who are paired with our retirement horses for gentle, structured interactions, together with trained specialists from The Ranch Team.

We invite owners of kind, calm and healthy retired horses to consider a truly special opportunity, offering their beloved companions a new purpose in gentle non-ridden therapy sessions for bereaved children.  These sessions involve quiet, nurturing activities like grooming, walking, and simply being present with children who are grieving the loss of a loved one.  Horses bring incredible comfort and healing through their calm presence and sensitivity.  Participation is entirely optional and always led by the horse’s wellbeing and willingness.  With full input from owners, vets and equine behaviourists, we ensure each horse is respected, pampered and supported in every moment.

Why Horses Help

Horses are naturally empathetic and non-verbal, which creates a powerful space for children to process grief. Their calming presence and immediate feedback help children feel seen and grounded — without pressure.

Why Retirement Horses Thrive

Elderly horses, while no longer ridden, thrive on companionship and gentle interaction. These sessions offer purpose, mental stimulation, and positive contact, creating an enriching "win-win" dynamic that benefits both horse and child.

The programme takes place in a separate area of the farm. Arena access remains available to livery clients outside these times.