Workshops
We have a number of workshops which run throughout Spring and Summer. Our workshops are run by volunteers in house and qualified professionals who we collaborate with. We have a lot to offer, covering all aspects of horse-human interaction. Please see below our current workshops and how to book!
Art Therapy & Equine Assisted Therapy
Combining art and equine-assisted therapy, each workshop will help you explore how you feel in a creative way.This will build your confidence and self-esteem particularly if you find it tricky to express your feelings with words.
Our highly qualified, caring psychotherapists Sophie and Diane will facilitate – helping you build confidence and develop your creativity as you interact with our therapy ponies.
Suitable for ages 18+
“You are important to your healing process – this type of therapy helps bring you the calm and space you need to think about yourself and your relationships. And the acceptance and lack of judgement from the ponies can be transformative and healing.
These workshops are a great introduction to the healing potential of both equine assisted therapy and equine art therapy. Book now to reserve one of our limited spaces.”
2024 Workshops
We’re holding four workshops over the summer across four important topics.
6th July Self-care & Resilience
10th Aug Boundaries & Confidence
7th Sept Loss & Change
12th Oct Family Relationships
Price
Each workshop costs £50 but if you book all four workshops it’s £170, saving you £30.
Want to Pay as you go? First time booking offer £35.
Understanding Ponies Workshops
Our experienced equine handler and owner of ‘Team Horse’, Sarah Hall, will run the day. Sarah is a horse handler here at the herd, experienced in working with children and young people.
Since completing a mentorship in Horse Behaviour Consulting with the UK & Ireland Co-Chair of the IAABC, she has been providing equine training across a variety of husbandry and behavioural challenges.
Understanding Ponies 3 Day Workshop
This holiday club is like no other – it’s an interactive and engaging learning experience for kids, WITH PONIES! (plus games, competitions and a certificate on completion!) Suitable for ages 8 to 12 years old. Soft drinks are provided. Please bring a packed lunch and suitable clothing. Sturdy shoes such as wellington boots or calf length boots. Spaces are limited so don’t delay!
What is the workshop about?
Across the three days, your child will explore the foundations of what makes a happy, healthy pony, including:
- Communication! Horse to horse & horse to human body language skills
- Staying safe. How to handle and interact with ponies safely with real hands-on practice
- Dinner time! Different types of forage & diets inc. a foraging walk
- Chill. Grazing, stabling & different ways of keeping ponies
- Enrichment. How to enrich ponies’ lives & ensure their wellbeing
Hands-on skills at the club
- putting on a headcollar
- how to tie your pony safely
- leading and guiding your pony
- how to groom using various kit
- how to tie a haynet safely and securely
- how to make up different types of feed
Course Layout
Day #1: Friends (Monday 5th August)
Day #2: Forage (Monday 12th August)
Day #3: Freedom (Monday 19th August)
Time
The course starts at 9.30am, finishing at 3pm.
Cost
The full three days is only £90.00pp
Get To Know Your Pony Day
This is an exciting opportunity for your child to experience what it would be like to have their very own pony! This interactive day is run by Sarah Hall and is suitable for ages 8-12. Similar to our 3 day course above, condensed into one amazing day of pony fun!
What is the workshop about?
Children are assigned a pony who will be their very own pony for the whole day.
They will learn a range of skills including how to cater to their pony’s specific needs, what it takes to look after them, their likes, dislikes, friendships & favourite activities.
They’ll be encouraged to log what they’re learning about their ponies in a take-home booklet to remember their day.
Soft drinks will be provided. Bring your own packed lunch. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and boots or wellies!
Hands-on skills at the club
- putting on a headcollar
- how to tie your pony safely
- leading and guiding your pony
- how to groom using various kit
- yard duties
- & more!
Time
The course starts at 9.30am, finishing at 3.30 pm.
Cost
The full day is only £30.00 pp
Nature Workshops
We are so excited to release our summer workshops ‘Nature.’ In previous years we have released bug hunts and arts and crafts events which have been extremely popular. Now, ‘nature’ will be a permanent workshop during the summer season.
Open to all ages, these workshops are the perfect way for your little ones to spend time in the wonderful countryside exploring the creatures that inhabit it and turning that into a creative expression. No electronics or distractions! Below are our current workshops.
We're Going on a Bug Hunt Workshop
What is this workshop about?
Let your little one get wild with nature in our 2 hour Bug Hunt and Stone Painting Workshop.
Explore nature with our facilitator Lesley and discover a huge array of creepy crawlies! Plus get arty with stone painting.
If it’s raining we’ll hold the adventure in our wooden shelter with arts & crafts, a nature quiz and stone painting.
Suitable for all ages. Spaces are capped at 15 people. This is a very popular workshop so please book in advance!
Where?
At our main site – Spirit of The Herd Pony Sanctuary, The Ridgeway, Alvanley, WA6 0DW.
Current Dates Available
Wednesday 31st July – 1pm – 3pm.
Be a Nature Maker Workshop
What is this workshop about?
Let your kids discover amazing ways to get creative with plants and leaves in our 2 hour leaf collage and seed planting workshop. Suitable for all ages.
Our facilitator Lesley will guide the group to learn and create leaf art and plant seeds you can take home and watch grow!
If it’s raining we’ll hold the activities solely in our wooden shelter but please wear wellies regardless!
Where?
At our main site – Spirit of The Herd Pony Sanctuary, The Ridgeway, Alvanley, WA6 0DW.
Current Dates Available
Wednesday 14th August – 1pm – 3pm.
