Stonehill stables is located close to the town of Chudleigh, nestled between Haldon Hill and Dartmoor. This beautiful location helps us to provide a calming and safe environment where our therapists and ponies can help young adults and children suffering from mental health issues, anxiety, depression, ADHD and bereavement.
These young adults are often unable to cope with the pressures of daily life, school can seem a frightening and stressful place, especially after the disruption of covid/lockdowns/homeschooling and isolation. We are seeing more and more children who are struggling emotionally and are finding it hard to continue with their education in their normal setting and often feel isolated and excluded.
The horses can facilitate trust between the child, the therapist and the horse, using our specially adapted methods the horses can help to relieve tension and anxiety and promote a feeling of self-worth and self-esteem. The sessions are fun and engaging focusing on the client building a relationship with the horse this will help them grow in their confidence, help them develop social skills, build relationships, and learn to problem-solve.
Horses mirror our behaviour and emotions in a completely non-judgemental way. While working with the ponies our clients are more able to recognise their feelings, behaviour, and skills. They can see which ones are positive and those which are negative, then with the help of our qualified mental health therapists and our ponies they can find new ways to deal with their problems, these are transferable skills that our therapists will help our clients learn to use to improve their day to day lives.
The sessions can be on a one to one or within a small group (max 4), they usually last either 90mins or a half-day. They are quite physical and are a great way to get your child more active in a fun and engaging way.
Our past clients have told us that after their therapy their children:
*are calmer and more relaxed
*have enjoyed making new relationships and friendships
*feel better able to communicate and express their feelings
*feel more positive and motivated
*feel less isolated and stressed.
Sessions are either 90 minutes or half a day, parents can contact us directly or we are pleased to take referrals from social prescribers, social workers and NHS. Activities are mainly outdoors so warm, waterproof clothing is required. Hard hats and gloves will be provided, refreshments are available free of charge. A disabled toilet is available on site and most activities are wheelchair friendly. Some activities may be funded or part-funded for those who need financial help. We are fully insured and all our staff are fully qualified, DBS checked and some are specialists in certain fields.