Think Like a Pony

Empowering Children Through Horsemanship

ENDORSED BY

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Think Like a Pony: Leading a New Way in Children’s Horsemanship Since 2009

Think Like a Pony is more than an educational programme, it’s a movement. We are shaping the future of equestrianism. Ethical training isn’t just a possibility, it’s the future.  

Our award-winning, internationally recognized programme empowers children to develop self-awareness, confidence and clear communication. This enables children and ponies to form strong, respectful partnerships. 

We have a vision of how ponies and people can thrive together. We share this vision with children in our holistic riding schools, with children referred to our youth development programmes, with families in crisis through our Family Development Programme, and with horse owners worldwide through our online club. We believe that teaching children to ride can be both ethical and a pathway to achieving their goals. 

At the heart of our approach is the not-for-profit arm of our organisation, Think Like a Pony CIC, which ensures that our life-changing experiences are accessible to children from all backgrounds. Through strong referral pathways and grant funding, we extend this work to those who need it most. 

Through our centres in Yorkshire and the Southwest and our global online learning, we’re creating a new way of learning that puts relationship, communication and confidence at the heart of horsemanship. We help children and adults see the world through the pony’s eyes, empowering them to make informed, ethical choices that build partnership and mutual trust. 

We create spaces for deep, meaningful relationships between ponies and people, where they grow and learn together in an environment of respect, trust and compassion. Think Like a Pony is more than an educational programme; it’s a movement to inspire positive change and nurture a new generation of compassionate, empowered individuals - one pony and one person 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."

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HOLISTIC RIDING SCHOOL
A Riding School With a Difference

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.
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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Empowering Vulnerable Children

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.
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EMPOWERED PARENTING
Guiding Families and Carers

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.
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VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
Learn Through Hands-On Experience

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.
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THINK LIKE A PONY CLUB
World's First Family Horsemanship Club Online

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.

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