passionately believes that horses have a remarkable role to play in impacting on young people’s lives when other methods may not have been successful. The equestrian environment provides a powerful way of inspiring young people to connect, improve well-being and become productive members of society through a culture that provides routine, structure, and the natural development of life skills. A crisis of confidence in their own abilities and future prospects is preventing young people from realising their true potential. The most effective thing we do is help young people to develop their key life skills; resilience and coping mechanisms that they will need to succeed in education, employment, and ultimately adult life.
Centaur Cornwall CIC, is a non-profit making community interest company (CIC), founded to deliver the British Horse Society’s Changing Lives Through Horses programme in our locality. We are also a branch Pony club center, The Pony Club is an international voluntary youth organisation for young people, up to the age of 25, interested in horses, ponies, and riding.
A report produced by the Princes Trust in 2017 shows that more than 25% of young people do not feel in control of their lives and that a crisis of confidence in their own abilities and future prospects prevents them from realising their true potential. This can often manifest itself in challenging behaviour. The most effective thing we can do is help young people develop their key life skills, resilience and the coping mechanisms they will need to succeed in education, employment and ultimately adult life.The British Horse Society and Centaur Cornwall passionately believe that horses play a remarkable role in impacting young people’s lives when other methods may not have been successful. The equestrian environment provides a powerful way of inspiring young people to connect, improve well-being, and become productive members of society through a culture that provides routine, structure, and natural life skills development. The Changing Lives Through Horses programme is an educational and character-building programme that uses a flexible framework of activity to help develop the vital life skills required by young people to succeed in education, employment and adult life. These include communication, confidence, responsibility, relationships, teamwork and personal achievement.
Changing lives though horses aims to improve the lives of young people who, for various reasons, may need additional support, are disengaged, or disadvantaged, or at risk of becoming excluded from education.
Using horses as the inspiration for change, the programme provides an alternative and complementary learning environment to mainstream education. The skills developed through the programme meet the requirements of ongoing education and training, employers and participants.
The programme works to develop six key life skills through equestrian activity:
There are two frameworks – the achieve awards aimed at 5-11 year olds and the explorers wards aimed at 11 –25 year olds, although participants can follow the framework most appropriate to them regardless of age. Both offer horse care and ridden modules.
Join the Changing Lives through Horses programme | The British Horse Society (bhs.org.uk)
Referral form for Centaur Cornwall CIC, Changning lives through horses
Prices and Terms for Equine Intervention ridden / practical skill development sessions
I was born and raised in Cornwall. Growing up I was fortunate to be around ponies, I can recognise how they supported me through the ups and downs of life. My ponies provided me with structure, predictability and a sense of responsibility.
I studied Animal Management at college and then went on to join the army as a Combat Medical Technician. During this time I learnt valuable skills such as routine, team work and communication.
I returned to Cornwall and joined Centaur Cornwall to pursue my love of horses. I am now yard manager and studying as a riding coach.
Working on the yard with young people and horses I have seen the benefits of being around horses. I have seen young people grow in confidence and develop some important skills that they may have missed through mainstream learning. I have developed my teaching skills to incorporate all styles of learning and can adapt to meet the needs of all our young people. I see myself as creative and fun in my approach!
I am excited to be working on the ‘Changing Lives Through Horses’ programme and meeting all of the young people who will benefit from this.
I have worked or ridden horses all my life, as you will read horses have always played a huge part of my life and I fully appreciate the way they can shape and change our lives. Without horses in my life I am not sure where I would be!
It started in my early years, I was a local Pony Club member and enjoyed competitions and learning how to care for my ponies.
After leaving school I attended college and completed my Advance Equine Business Management qualification with the desire to develop working with horses as a career.
I achieved my BHSAI qualification and began to teach all levels of riders young and old. The feedback from customers as well as seeing them grow in confidence was priceless and inspires me to ensure everyone who wants to gets an opportunity to experience this.
My personal achievements such as riding for the British Endurance Team and winning an individual Gold medal led to me to experience the benefits of perseverance and hard work.
Further enjoyment with horses has included eventing to intermediate level and I have competed in dressage at elementary level.
More recently myself and my heavy weight hunter James have been successful at County level and fingers crossed at international level too! We also do well at side saddle which has been my most recent challenge.
From the age of 19 years I was a partner in a riding school. I taught many young people as well as coordinated riding holidays and developed horses for competitions.
Furthermore I have completed the CACHE diploma in pre school practice.
I am very excited about the ‘Changing Lives Through Horses’ programme and feel that my horses and ponies will be the stars of the show. I am thankful to have such wonderful ponies and horses, myself and my team go to great lengths to ensure they are happy and healthy.
Louise has owned horses all of her life, Louise loved to compete when she was younger and spent all of her time with her horses. Louise entered into equine work when she left school gaining experience in a racing yard and then in a riding school. More recently Louise enjoys riding her horse Billy who is the clown of the yard and always ready for a cuddle!
Over the past 20 years Louise has worked in Children’s Services. Louise has been dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and working to improve outcomes. Louise has focussed on supporting children who have experienced trauma.
Combining both passions, knowledge and experience it seemed like a natural step to support the ‘Changing Lives Through Horses programme’. Louise knows first-hand how working with horses can benefit young people. Louise is super excited about this programme as it will allow vulnerable young people a chance to learn, develop and grow in an environment suited to them.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission. Any local businesses please get in touch via email, or call in and see us
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
Poldice Valley Equine And Events Arena, Carharrack, Redruth, Cornwall, TR165RB
Monday |
09:00 – 17:00 |
Tuesday |
09:00 – 17:00 |
Wednesday |
09:00 – 17:00 |
Thursday |
09:00 – 17:00 |
Friday |
09:00 – 17:00 |
Saturda |
Closed |
Sunday |
Closed |
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