Think Like a Pony
Empowering Children Through Horsemanship
Think Like a Pony
Empowering Children Through Horsemanship
Think Like a Pony is a powerful, internationally recognized program that equips children and families with the skills to train, ride, and connect with ponies. Additionally, the not-for-profit arm of the organisation, Think Like a Pony CIC, provides life-changing therapeutic benefits for children struggling with mental health and emotional challenges.
This is a transformative initiative that goes beyond traditional horsemanship to foster deep, meaningful connections between children, families, and horses. Since 2009, we have been dedicated to empowering young people through an approach that honors the well-being of both animals and humans. At the heart of our work is the belief that the bond between a child and a pony can be life-changing.
As children learn to communicate with ponies, they develop vital life skills such as patience, confidence, and emotional regulation—tools that help them navigate life's challenges. Our approach creates a space for mutual healing, where children and ponies grow together in an environment of respect and compassion. We are committed to making our programs accessible to as many families as possible, with strong referral pathways and grant funding supporting our work. From our centre in Leeds, we are building a network that extends across the UK and beyond, offering online learning and instructor training that empowers others to share our ethos of ethical, empathetic horsemanship.
Think Like a Pony is more than an educational program; it’s a movement to nurture a new generation of compassionate, empowered individuals. Through every pony, every child, and every relationship, we’re inspiring positive change—one connection at a time.
Our Key Services Include:
"We felt disconnected at our local riding school, where routine overshadowed building bonds with the ponies. Think Like a Pony changed that, giving my children a strong foundation in riding, boosting their confidence, and helping them form a real connection with the ponies that extends to all areas of their lives."
"Think Like a Pony has transformed our family and our pony. With the Club's online resources, we've achieved goals we never thought possible. My children have flourished, and our pony is now more responsive, relaxed, and confident. We feel deeply connected to a supportive community that has truly improved our horsemanship."
"Think Like a Pony has helped my child excel in riding and horsemanship while also building life skills like patience, empathy, and responsibility. The process of building trust with the ponies has boosted their confidence, problem-solving, and communication, positively impacting school, friendships, and everyday life."
The mental, emotional and physical well-being of both child and pony are at the heart of our holistic riding school in Leeds, as well as our online Club. Our educational approach and significant investment in the training of our ponies means that we have incredibly high safety standards and high levels of horse welfare. Our method of teaching children fosters empathy, understanding and communication with the horse. This enables young people to excel as horse riders and handlers, at the same time as developing important life skills.
Our Youth Development Programme changes the lives of some of the most at-risk children in our community. Through learning to build a relationship with a pony, children learn strategies that empower them to take control of their physical, mental and emotional state. This in turn helps them to build stronger relationships, re-engage with learning and see a future for themselves. The programme is suitable for any child with social, emotional, or mental heath difficulties.
The program is delivered as a four-week course for carers, where they learn new strategies to become more effective in their emotional and physical responses to the young people in their lives. The course illustrates how subtle but significant shifts in your mental and emotional state can impact a pony, as well as other relationships in your life. This provides carers with specific strategies to implement at home, enabling them to deal with difficult situations that may arise day to day.
A programme that fosters a culture of mutual respect and growth, where both humans and horses can thrive together. Our volunteer programme is open to adults and young people aged 14 and over. Our volunteers are part of a close-knit, supportive team, working alongside experienced staff who provide guidance and supervision. In addition to hands-on training, volunteers have access to a wealth of resources through our online Club where volunteers can earn badges to mark their progress and build their knowledge as they develop horsemanship skills. Through shared feedback and collaboration, we create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow as they emerse themselves in the Think Like a Pony philosophy.
The Club is a vibrant online community dedicated to families who are passionate about learning horsemanship. It offers an extensive library of interactive resources, including video lessons, E-books, and assessments, designed to support both beginners and more experienced students. As children progress through their horsemanship journey, they earn badges to mark their achievements, making learning both educational and rewarding. With access to direct instructor feedback, each student receives personalized guidance, ensuring steady progress at every step. The Club’s engaging, structured approach allows students to unlock new levels of learning with each completed lesson, fostering a sense of accomplishment and motivation throughout their horsemanship experience.