Think Like a Pony, based in Leeds, is celebrating after being awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver their unique Family Development Programme.  

Think Like a Pony Founder Lynn Henry said: “The programme uses horsemanship to illustrate how the relationship developed with a pony mirrors the relationships families are trying to build at home. Through this methodology, the programme improves empathy, non-verbal communication, leadership and assertiveness. It is a privilege to be able to support families with this unique intervention and see sustainable change”. 

Families who have been through the program said: 

‘We have all grown individually thanks to the course, but also as a family we feel much closer and stronger.  We are now able to support each other and have started to be able to live again without fear’. 

‘This is the best health and wellbeing input I’ve had.’  

The Family Development Programme is delivered in group work sessions, limited to four participants per session with two facilitators to ensure the therapeutic intervention is tailored to individual need.   

Individual sessions are also available for families who require personalised support.  

The Family Development Programme has proven to support families to develop a cohesive family life and improve parental and child well-being and mental health.  

Working with the whole family improves outcomes for children, therefore the Family Development Programme’s inclusion of guardians in its provision is going to provide long lasting advancements for children and families collaboratively. 

If you would like to know more about the Family Development Programme, please contact familydevelopment@thinklikeapony.co.uk.

The Think Like a Pony concept was developed through Lynn Henry’s workbooks, published in 2005. The company was then registered in 2009 and has become renowned for its ground-breaking approach to empowering both vulnerable and mainstream children. Its philosophies are based on teaching children how to build a relationship with a horse and how to ride empathetically. Through the approach, children learn to build relationships based on respect for self, respect for others and taking responsibility for all that they do.  

Think Like a Pony welcomes up to 160 pupils each week, with a team of 13 ponies and 8 horsemanship instructors, all specialists in mentoring children. The organisation has built a flagship Centre, opening in September, which will enable the organisation to expand its reach.  

We are the Yorkshire Post Rural Award Winners for Best Equestrian Business 2021. We have been nominated and won awards from Child Friendly Leeds and this year we have been shortlisted for Best Place in Leeds for Children and Young People. 

To find out more about Think Like a Pony, visit www.thinklikeapony.co.uk.  

For further information, images, or to interview founder Lynn Henry, please contact Media and Marketing Coordinator – sian.gaughan@thinklikeapony.co.uk  07849 807179 

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