At Think Like a Pony, we believe learning to work with ponies is also a journey of learning about yourself. Our approach is different from traditional training as we prioritise connection, empathy and trust. Children don’t just learn to ride. They learn to communicate with ponies on the ground and in the saddle with empathy and respect.
Our training gives children the skills to handle, ride and care for ponies in a way that builds confidence, emotional balance and independence. Through structured learning, hands-on experience and reflection, they learn to communicate clearly, build trust and form strong relationships with ponies and people.
At the heart of our programme are the Three Rs: Respect for Self, Respect for Others and Responsibility. Children learn how their breathing, intention, body language and ability to make a plan affect their pony. As they become more aware of how they communicate, they grow in confidence, empathy and self-control. These are skills that last a lifetime.
We are more than a riding school or a pony club. We are a movement for ethical horsemanship. We are proving that training based on respect and understanding is not only possible but essential for high levels of equine welfare.
Our Leeds-based centre and our new centre in the Southwest offer in-person training and our online platform reaches families, schools and instructors across the UK and beyond. We work in partnership with City Councils, schools and NHS mental health services to ensure that all children, regardless of background, can access this life-changing education.
Think Like a Pony is about more than ponies. It is about raising confident, compassionate young people and shaping a better future for them and their ponies. We are proving that ethical horsemanship isn’t just possible; it should be the foundation of equestrian education.
