The Next Steps Forward

The Next Steps Forward We are now based in Lenham, Kent

Through interactions with horses clients learn powerful new skills and develop existing ones, which can be implemented into their daily routine, whether that be at school, the work place, in relationships or their general home life.

🌿 New Connections, New Experiences, New Possibilities 🐎This week marked the start of a wonderful new collaboration with ...
09/06/2026

🌿 New Connections, New Experiences, New Possibilities 🐎

This week marked the start of a wonderful new collaboration with a local specialist school, welcoming students to the farm for the very first time.

What struck me most wasn’t the activities themselves, but how differently each young person connected with the experience.

For one student, it was working alongside a horse and realising they were more capable than they thought. Through reflection, challenge and partnership, they left feeling more confident about returning to school.

For another, it was discovering trust and connection through the alpacas. Starting cautiously and observing from a distance, they gradually built enough confidence to hand-feed and interact, sharing lots of laughter along the way.

For a third, it was simply being with the animals. Exploring the farm, connecting with the herd and discovering where they felt safest, most comfortable and most themselves.

The beauty of this work is that there is no “right way” to engage.

Some young people talk.
Some observe.
Some lead.
Some follow.

But when given a safe space, supportive relationships and the opportunity to connect with animals, nature and themselves, something begins to shift.

Confidence grows.
Trust develops.
New experiences become possible.

I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey takes these students over the coming weeks 💙🌿🐎

🌿 A really powerful moment in session this week 🐎I worked with someone carrying a huge amount of anxiety, self-doubt and...
04/06/2026

🌿 A really powerful moment in session this week 🐎

I worked with someone carrying a huge amount of anxiety, self-doubt and pressure internally.

Out of all the horses, they chose Jake, a horse who can be strong-minded, stubborn and very honest in his responses.

At one point during the session, Jake completely stopped and refused to move forward.

At first there was frustration and uncertainty about what to do next.

But instead of forcing, rushing or giving up, something shifted.

They paused.
Took a breath.
And allowed themselves to ask for help.

In that moment, they realised that asking for support didn’t mean failure - it simply opened up a different route forward. It may not have been the path they originally expected, but they still reached the goal and learnt even more along the way.

Almost instantly, Jake softened too.

The connection returned.
The pressure disappeared.
And by the end of the session there was calmness, grounding and a genuine sense of acceptance 💙

🐎 Horses have an incredible way of reflecting what’s happening underneath without judgement.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen in the quietest moments.

🌿 A really powerful moment in session today 🐎Today I worked with someone carrying a huge amount of anxiety, self-doubt a...
01/06/2026

🌿 A really powerful moment in session today 🐎

Today I worked with someone carrying a huge amount of anxiety, self-doubt and pressure internally.

Out of all the horses, they chose Jake - a horse who can be strong-minded, stubborn and very honest in his responses.

At one point during the session, Jake completely stopped and refused to move forward.

At first there was frustration and uncertainty about what to do next.

But instead of forcing, rushing or giving up, something shifted.

They paused.
Took a breath.
And allowed themselves to ask for help.

In that moment, they realised that asking for support didn’t mean failure - it simply opened up a different route forward. It may not have been the path they originally expected, but they still reached the goal and learnt even more along the way.

Almost instantly, Jake softened too.

The connection returned.
The pressure disappeared.
And by the end of the session there was calmness, grounding and a genuine sense of acceptance 💙

🐎 Horses have an incredible way of reflecting what’s happening underneath without judgement.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen in the quietest moments.

🌿 Another beautiful week of workshops on the farm done 💙🐎This week has been full of so many quiet but important moments…...
31/05/2026

🌿 Another beautiful week of workshops on the farm done 💙🐎

This week has been full of so many quiet but important moments…

✨ fears overcome
✨ confidence growing
✨ children calming and connecting
✨ new friendships forming
✨ laughter, teamwork and kindness

From nervous beginnings to proud smiles by the end of sessions, it’s been lovely watching children support one another, build trust with the animals and simply enjoy being outdoors together 🌿

Some children arrived unsure.
Some anxious.
Some needing space.

Yet by the end of the week there were conversations flowing, connections forming and moments of genuine pride shining through 💙

These workshops are never just about horses.

They’re about confidence.
Connection.
Regulation.
Belonging.

And this week reminded me again how powerful simple experiences, nature and safe spaces can be 🐎✨

🌿 Sometimes therapy starts before a session even begins 🐎Today at the PROMIS Centre, while waiting between clients, I to...
25/05/2026

🌿 Sometimes therapy starts before a session even begins 🐎

Today at the PROMIS Centre, while waiting between clients, I took my coffee and sat quietly in the shade in the field.

The horses were all the way at the other side… yet within minutes they slowly wandered over.

Troy came first, straight for my coffee as usual 😂 knocking it flying before I’d even had chance to stop him.

Then Sky quietly came closer too.
Gentle. Calm. Curious.

No pressure.
No noise.
Just presence.

There’s something incredibly grounding about sitting alongside horses in silence.

They notice everything.
Energy. Breathing. Emotion. Tension.

And often, without words, they remind us to slow down too 💙

For so many of the adults I work with around addiction, trauma and mental health, the calmness of the horses becomes the first moment their nervous system has softened all day.

Quiet moments.
Soft noses.
Fresh air.
Connection.

Sometimes the healing starts there 🌿

🌿 Things children learn on the farm that aren’t written on a worksheet… 🐎✨ How to slow down✨ How to approach gently✨ How...
25/05/2026

🌿 Things children learn on the farm that aren’t written on a worksheet… 🐎

✨ How to slow down
✨ How to approach gently
✨ How to notice another living thing’s feelings
✨ How to regulate frustration
✨ How to build trust
✨ How to keep trying after something feels difficult
✨ How to feel proud of themselves
✨ How to work as part of a team
✨ How to feel calm in nature

Sometimes the biggest learning doesn’t happen sitting at a desk.

Sometimes it happens while holding a lead rope, filling water buckets, walking through the woods or standing quietly beside a horse 💙

And often, children leave with far more than they realise 🌿🐎

🌿 Half term has officially begun… and we still have a few spaces left on the farm next week 🐎After a long school term, s...
23/05/2026

🌿 Half term has officially begun… and we still have a few spaces left on the farm next week 🐎

After a long school term, some children really benefit from slowing things down, getting outdoors, connecting with animals and just having space to be themselves 💙

Our fun mornings on the farm are relaxed, hands-on and full of opportunities for children to build confidence, explore and enjoy nature in a calm, supportive environment.

🐎 Horse activities & grooming
🐐 Animal care
🌿 Woodland trail
✨ Outdoor play & connection

📍 Charing
🕙 Tuesday–Thursday | 10am–12pm
💷 £30 per session
👧 Age 4+
🚗 Drop off & pick up service

Spaces are limited and we only have a few left available for next week 🌿

Message me if you’d like to book a space or ask any questions 💙

🌿 What overwhelm actually looks like… Sometimes it’s not crying or falling apart. Sometimes it’s: • snapping over sma...
21/05/2026

🌿 What overwhelm actually looks like…

Sometimes it’s not crying or falling apart.

Sometimes it’s:

• snapping over small things
• feeling irritated all the time
• shutting down
• struggling to focus
• constantly being “busy”
• feeling exhausted but unable to rest
• avoiding things
• needing control over everything
• going quiet
• feeling numb

So many children and adults I work with aren’t “difficult”…

They’re overwhelmed.

And often they’ve been overwhelmed for so long that their nervous system no longer knows how to slow down safely.

🐎 This is one of the reasons horses can be so powerful in therapy.

They respond honestly to what’s happening underneath the surface, helping people begin to notice what their body is holding before words even come.

Sometimes the work starts with nothing more than:

✨ breathing slower
✨ standing still
✨ feeling safe enough to pause

And from there, things begin to shift 💙

20/05/2026

So much of the work with horses isn’t about teaching people to “behave better” or forcing emotions away.

It’s about creating enough safety to slow down and notice what’s happening underneath.

Horses respond honestly to tension, breathing, movement and energy, often before we even recognise it ourselves.

And when someone begins to soften, regulate and feel safer in their body… the horses soften too.

That’s where some of the most powerful learning happens 💙🐎.

Have you ever noticed how animals respond to emotion differently than people do?

Address

Ashford
TN27

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Next Steps Forward posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category