Thursday, 18 May 2023
As part of Mental Health Week 2023, we’re sharing a unique collaboration between Sport England’s Together Fund through British Equestrian (BEF), mental health charity Sport in Mind and Enborne Equestrian Centre in Berkshire, has provided opportunities to help those struggling with mental health through the power of horses.
Sport in Mind is a charity, created to deliver a host of sport and physical activities across the south-east to help improve mental and physical health, this is the first time they have provided an activity involving animals.
After receiving the funding and working together with Sport in Mind, Enborne Equestrian Centre, approved by the British Horse Society, has opened its doors to the wider community in the Newbury area. A total of 12 participants enjoyed free weekly riding lessons over six consecutive weeks.
Sport in Mind development officer Kirsty Bowden explains what makes this project so special, “Not everybody has had the opportunity to get on a horse, but we have made it as accessible as we can. We’re working with large animals and the Enborne team has provided a safe, comfortable place for people who are naturally nervous about doing something new.”
Ruth Gardiner and her team from Enborne Equestrian Centre have found their involvement with the project immensely rewarding: “I would definitely recommend other equestrian centres doing this. When you see the smiles on the riders’ faces and see what they get out of it, you know it’s super worthwhile.”
One participant explains how these sessions have helped her, “Outside of work I feel isolated and end up worrying about work. Being in nature, with horses and the people here, there’s no pressure on me. I have an ongoing issue talking to people, so it’s weird that’ve I’ve managed to come here when I didn’t know anybody.”
Another follows, “I don’t want it to end. I’m 75 and I’m getting a little of me back. Coming here has helped me physically and mentally and I want to do more. I was spending my spare time sitting down reading books, but now I want to go out for walks.”
This project has even turned out to have unexpected benefits for the supportive Sport in Mind staff and volunteers, providing new experiences, boosting activity levels by leading horses and getting the feel-good factor of helping those taking part in the sessions.
This alliance has shown the potential to open up the opportunity for the wider population to receive the many benefits of building relationships with horses, as well as becoming more active in a non-pressured social environment.
Read more about the Together Fund project with Enborne Equestrian Centre and Sport in Mind here.