Time Outwith Horses

What it is

Quiet time with a horse, at your child’s pace.

Time Outwith Horses is one-to-one time with a calm, experienced horse, for children and young people who find busy places, school or formal settings hard — including neurodivergent children.

Everything happens on the ground. There is no riding. Your child might groom, lead, watch the herd, or simply stand quietly with a horse. Kate leads every session, and your child sets the pace.

A parent or carer stays with the child throughout. Sessions are for ages 6 to 18; for younger children, have a conversation with Kate first. Brothers and sisters are welcome by arrangement.

The horses

Calm, kind and experienced.

Brian loves human company and is usually the horse children meet first. Vinnie is also well suited to the work. Jasper is happiest working alongside Brian.

They live out as a herd across 35 acres of Test Valley countryside. Horses are animals and the risk can never be removed entirely, so Kate will pause or end a session if the horse or the child becomes unsettled.

Good to know

Before you come.

• —A parent or carer stays with the child for the whole session.
• —Everything is done on the ground. There is no riding.
• —Time Outwith Horses is a wellbeing activity. It is not therapy or medical treatment.
• —Sturdy, closed-toe footwear, please.
• —You are welcome to take photos and videos. We will not take any of your child without asking you first.

The yard, honestly

Quiet, and rural.

• —Parking on site.
• —A quiet, low-stimulus setting.
• —There is no toilet on site, but there is one nearby. There is no accessible toilet.
• —The session area is not fully fenced or gated.
• —Kate is BHS trained in teaching, with experience of teaching children and young people, an enhanced DBS check, safeguarding training and first aid. Sessions are fully insured.