‘There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.’ ~ Winston Churchill

Equine Assisted Therapy is a therapeutic programme encouraging interaction between horses and people to promote mental well-being.

At Willow Tree Farming, we believe horses have an extraordinary ability to help people grow in confidence, understand themselves and develop the skills they need to navigate everyday life.

Set within our peaceful 30-acre working farm near Hillington, on the edge of the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, our Equine Assisted Therapy sessions provide a safe, supportive environment where children, young people and adults can connect with horses through carefully planned, ground-based activities.

No previous horse experience is needed. The focus isn’t on riding – it’s on building relationships, developing practical skills and discovering new ways to communicate, problem solve and regulate emotions.

Equine Assisted Therapy uses structured interactions with horses to support emotional wellbeing, personal development and social learning.

Working alongside our experienced team, participants learn to care for, lead and work with horses in a calm, supportive environment. These activities encourage reflection, build confidence and help develop skills that can be transferred into everyday life.

Every programme is tailored to the individual and designed around their personal goals, abilities and interests.

Horses communicate without words.

They respond honestly and consistently to the people around them, encouraging individuals to become more aware of their emotions, behaviour and communication. This creates valuable opportunities to develop trust, confidence, resilience and emotional awareness in a natural, non-judgemental setting.

For many people, simply spending time outdoors with horses provides a calming environment that supports wellbeing, focus and self-confidence.

Horses are:

• Hyper-vigilant and can detect human emotions.
• Non-judgemental and non-confrontational.
• Sensitive, especially to intent.
• Able to mirror our behaviour and induce our thoughts and feelings.
• Empathetic and intelligent.
• Providers of immediate and honest feedback through non-verbal communication.

Sessions are carefully planned with our Equine Assisted Therapy Team around each person’s needs and may include activities such as:

• Grooming and caring for horses
• Feeding and everyday stable routines
• Leading horses safely
• Learning about horse behaviour and welfare
• In-hand exercises and obstacle activities
• Teamwork and communication challenges
• Confidence-building activities
• Reflection and goal setting

Every activity has a purpose, helping participants develop practical skills while building confidence, resilience and independence.

Our sessions are designed to help participants develop skills that extend far beyond the yard.

These include:

• Self-confidence
• Emotional regulation
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem solving
• Responsibility
• Patience
• Decision making
• Trust
• Independence

Many participants also experience an increased sense of achievement as they build positive relationships with both the horses and the people around them.

The welfare of both our participants and our horses is central to everything we do.

Sessions are delivered by our experienced team in a welcoming, structured environment where individuals can learn at their own pace. We work closely with families, schools, agencies and other professionals to ensure every programme is tailored to the individual’s needs and personal goals.

Whether someone joins us to build confidence, improve wellbeing, develop life skills or reconnect with education, our aim is always the same – to help them discover their strengths and realise their potential through the remarkable partnership between people and horses.

Read our Safeguarding Policy.