"I expected Horseplay to be just another therapy to a long list of therapies that haven't really helped us.  I didn't expect it change my son or to touch me as father as much as it did. I will never forget my little boy- who we thought would never trust a caregiver again- reaching his arms out to me for the first time. I cannot thank you and the horses enough." -Adoptive parent of 5 year old boy with reactive attachment disorder.

This training retreat is designed for equine professionals who want to incorporate therapeutic riding into work with children who have experienced developmental trauma. Horseplay is a service specifically for children who are adopted or in long term, stable foster placements and their families.Horses can help young people heal from trauma by providing natural consequences from a non-judgmental learning partner who will only interact fruitfully with them when they are calm, compassionate and congruent. Horses stimulate the senses in a myriad of ways, providing calming input for an overwrought amygdala. Their movement is soothing, helping to regulate emotions, develop the limbic system and light up new areas in brains affected by trauma. Stroking, grooming and riding horses releases oxytocin. When a child and their parents interact  together with a horse, this feel-good hormone facilitates family bonding. Parents and instructors work as a team to ensure children feel safe, supported, able to understand healthy boundaries and form relationships based on trust. 

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Run by the only Hooves for the Heart and Stable Moments method trained instructor in the whole of the UK, Horse Play is designed to help children and young people to bond with and trust their care givers, aid emotional regulation and help the brain to heal from trauma by interacting with equines on the ground as well as utilising their movement.

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