Horses Essential to Riding Therapy Programmes
Ambury Park's horses are an essential part of our riding therapy programmes. Every child who attends the Centre, either as a part-time rider or as a full-time student in our school, is assigned a horse. The horse/child interaction is both physical and psychological. The way the child bonds with their horse is the cornerstone of our successful programmes.
We generally have between 25 and 30 horse at any one time. Most, we own ourselves or in partnership with others. Others, we look after for their owners. Click here to meet our horses.
Sponsoring a horse
It is expensive to keep horses and because they work so hard, we must ensure they are well looked after. We supplement their grass with hay and other hard feed, and they receive regular professional care from vets, dentists, chiropractors and farriers.
People wishing to support our work at Ambury Park Centre, often do so by sponsoring a horse: paying for the upkeep of one particular animal. In return for a donation of $2000 for this support, sponsors:
- Have their name printed on a horse cover.
- Have their name printed on our sponsor board in the main arena.
- Receive a commemorative photograph.
- Are invited to a demonstration on the practical and therapeutic value of horses.
- Receive a regular newsletter.
- Are invited to the end-of-year prize giving.
Contact us about sponsoring a horse.
Our horses
At present, Ambury Park has 27 horses. Some have been with us a long time, others are relatively new. We have both mares and geldings, and a variety of different breeds. Each horse has a distinct personality and, depending on a number of factors, is used for therapy rides, or by our full-time students, or - more rarely - both of these.