In The Company of Horses ITCH

16/10/2025

Can you help?

KEC & ITCH are looking to work together to support people with Parkinson’s by keeping active.

The proposed project would be to fund a tailor made “pony pals” course where we would introduce people with Parkinson’s and their carers to our ponies, with the long term goal of building a supportive community where people can ride, walk with or simply spend time grooming a pony.

There are a number of evidenced based ways people benefit from equine therapy, including:
Reduced anxiety
Feeling less alone
Increased self-esteem
Feeling grounded and calm
Improved communication skills
Better leadership skills
Ability to accept your feelings
Gaining social support

We believe that any affected by Parkinson’s would gain much benefit from these encounters and working together with our ponies would encourage the uptake of physical activity.

The idea would be the initial course would give everyone the skills and confidence to build regular equine assisted support into people’s lives.

How you can help?

Do you have Parkinson’s
Do you care for someone with Parkinson’s?
Do you work with people with Parkinson’s?

If so we would be really grateful if you could make contact, please let us know if you believe this would be of interest (or perhaps you would suggest something slightly different).

We have a very tight deadline so please let me have your feedback as soon as possible ( even if it’s simply a “yes we would love to have access to this service)

Caring In The Company of Horses!

22/04/2024

Come and meet the horses and find out what we do at Kingsmead’s Open Day on Monday 6th May

22/04/2024

ITCH are looking for a qualified equine assisted learning practitioner to take forward our equine assisted education and support program .

We have:

Horses
Links with schools etc
Facilities in an excellent location
The passion

We need someone with:

Experience
Time
Drive
The passion

Work would initially be on a freelance basis ( you would be responsible for building your client base, although you would be able to tap into our links with KEC)

The opportunity is endless for the right person

Please email Fiona at [email protected]

28/10/2023

Holiday season is coming! Ok so maybe it is still a bit too early to think about getting the decorations out, but why not get ahead and get a couple of easy to store presents ticked off your list!!

Wondering what to get someone with an upcoming birthday? Is there an anniversary or another celebration that you need a gift for, or are you looking for that next page turner to read now during half term? ….well, look no further, “Poetry Galloping through the Spirit of Horse" by Jason Gardner is the perfect gift for horsey friends and family, or anyone who just loves a good read - available now at Kingsmead Equestrian Centre for just £4.50.

This wonderful book is packed full of heartfelt verses dedicated to the very essence of Kingsmead and its beloved inhabitants. Including beautifully written poems about centre favourites such as Patch, Gizmo, and Billy, accompanied by stunning illustrations from talented artists worldwide.

100% of proceeds from Kingsmead's sales support 'In the Company of Horses,' promoting equine-assisted activities to give more people the opportunity to experience the joy that spending time at Kingsmead offers.

The book is a testament to Jason’s passion for horses and for helping people, he talks about the wonder of our horsey friends, how their strength and grace inspires brighter days and the amazing experiences that can be enjoyed through the “spirit that dances in hoofbeats”…make someone smile - do not delay, buy your copy today!

Available from the office and with our sincerest thanks to Jason Gardner, “Poetry Galloping through the Spirit of Horse".

03/07/2023

We are looking for a special person to help us grow IN THE COMPANY OF HORSES!

The unique role has limitless opportunities for someone with an educational, coaching, counselling or therapeutic background

Qualifications in (or a willingness to obtain) equine assisted learning/ facilitation required

Experience in outreach and accessing funding would be a definite advantage

This is initially a voluntary position ( with as many or as few hours as you can spare) with the view to becoming a paid role when established

ITCH is ready to go …. we just need you!

Please pm if you think you can help

Thank you Helen Louise Photography for the photo

03/07/2023

Please contact us if you (or someone you know) is struggling with mental health. Here at ITCH we can offer a range of services including pony walking, overcoming obstacles and equine assisted life coaching.

Many children and young people will find that caring for and riding horses benefits their mental well-being. Specialist mental health support may be needed at times and it is always important to contact your GP if you have concerns about your child.

There are many therapies available through the NHS; Equine Assisted Therapy can often be utilised in addition to these.

Some of the benefits of spending time with horses:
👂 A listening ear - when it is hard to talk to people, horses will always listen.
🐎 Movement - exercise has a positive impact on mental health
🌟 Being outdoors - we need natural light, fresh air, and all the sensations of the outdoors to help us feel our best
🐎 Emotional awareness - Spending time with horses can give us the time we need to process our inner experiences in a calm way. Horses are also very good at giving us feedback; they sense how we’re feeling and react accordingly.
🗯 Communication - To effectively communicate with a horse, we must tune in to our own behaviour, and be able to change this, to influence the horse.
❤️ Living in the moment - Spending time with horses also helps with motivation, to build confidence, and appreciate living in the moment.

Emily Walters. Founder and Director of the Hope Meadows Equine Assisted Recovery CIC, has produced a fact sheet to help people understand how horses can benefit children and young people with their mental well being.

Find the Fact Sheet in on the ABRS+ Guides - https://bit.ly/3OkYvJO

23/06/2023

22/06/2023

Puzzle knows the key to regulating your emotions is by being 'in the moment' (present). If you are struggling with stress and/or trauma, Puzzle (with the help of one of our expert facilitators) will help you to recalibrate. The simple act of grooming can help you free your mind and let your worries take a back seat for a while.

19/06/2023

We highly recommend signing up for a session with Lead Facilitator Fiona. She can teach you anything and everything you'd want to know about horses and she's jolly lovely while she's doing it. Come and spend some quality time with us in the company of horses - we guarantee you'll feel better for it.

UNDERSTANDING RESPECT

R.E.S.P.E.C.T is a model I developed a few years ago. Each letter stands for what I believe is an essential component of working with ( or riding ) horses.

Tomorrow I am running three linked sessions (hack, ground work, lesson) as an introduction to RESPECT.

Then throughout the summer holidays I will be breaking down each element further and applying it to hacking, ground work, riding in the arenas and care.

There are spaces tomorrow - you can take part in one or more of the sessions.

Bookable via ECPRO or just let me know if you want to take part in some or all of the sessions (across the morning).

Start building that bond today!

19/06/2023

SPOTLIGHT THE COACHES:
Senior Facilitator (Ridden & Equitation) - CHLOE
Chloe starting riding when she was around 5 years old and always and knew that horses would be in her future. She achieved her first UKCC coaching qualification at just 16. Between the ages of 16-19 years-old she completed an apprenticeship gaining a level 3 diploma in horse care. Chloe continued her training, including progressing through the BHS stages, and is now highly qualified in equitation.

In addition to her equine credentials, Chloe specialises in anxious clients of any age. She says: ‘I enjoy working with nervous clients and seeing how they feel when they’ve achieved something they didn’t think they could, equally I like working with clients who are confident with the horses but doubt themselves - I love building people up to achieve goals they thought were beyond them.’

Chloe, along with her brother Chris and mother Fiona, ensures that KEC (home of ITCH) is very much a family yard, ready to welcome people into a warm, supportive environment where they can succeed and flourish.