HOPE Hippotherapy

HOPE Hippotherapy At H.O.P.E Hippotherapy, we believe every child deserves the freedom to move, grow and thrive.
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Through Horses Offering Physical Enrichment we help children build strength, connection and confidence in a safe nurturing space, where therapy feels like a joy

07/07/2026

🎉 5,000 Followers! 🎉

Wow… 5,000 of you! 💙🐴

When I started sharing the H.O.P.E. Hippotherapy journey, I never imagined so many people would want to come along for the ride. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or you’ve only just found our page, thank you for your support, encouragement, likes, comments and shares. Every single one means more than you know.

This page isn’t just about horses. It’s about hope, determination, resilience and celebrating every milestone—whether it’s a first smile, a stronger posture, an independent step, or simply the confidence to try something new.

I’m incredibly lucky to work alongside some amazing clients, families, volunteers and of course, our wonderful therapy ponies, who make all of this possible. They are the real stars of this page.

As our community continues to grow, my goal remains the same: to raise awareness of Hippotherapy, share the science behind it, celebrate achievements (big and small), and hopefully inspire others along the way.

Thank you for believing in what we do and for helping H.O.P.E. Hippotherapy reach this incredible milestone.

Here’s to the next chapter! 🐴💙

If there’s someone you think would enjoy following our journey, we’d love it if you shared our page with them.

06/07/2026

👀 How many Hippotherapy positions can you spot?

Different positions are used for different therapeutic goals. Each one challenges balance, activates different muscle groups, and provides unique sensory and postural input.

Did you guess 5? 🎉

The five positions are:
🐴 Backwards sitting
🐴 Side sitting
🐴 Four-point kneeling (rear facing)
🐴 Four-point kneeling (forward facing)
🐴 Prone (rear facing)

Every position has a purpose, and I’ll be sharing a series of videos explaining the benefits of each one.

✨ Follow along so you don’t miss the next video in the series!

04/07/2026

This was the night, a dream came true. 💜

Months ago, she set herself one goal: to walk into her prom.

After everything she has been through, after the setbacks, the tears, the pain, the exhaustion and the moments when it all seemed impossible… she did it.

She walked into her prom independently with her crutches.

I can’t take credit for this incredible achievement. My contribution has been just a tiny drop in the ocean. This moment belongs entirely to her and to everyone who has supported her along the way.

Behind this one photograph are four physiotherapy sessions every week, weekly Hippotherapy sessions, endless determination, and countless hours of hard work, sweat and tears. There were days when progress felt painfully slow, but she never stopped fighting.

To watch her achieve the goal she had held onto for so many months was truly emotional. I don’t think she realises just how inspiring she is.

She is a beautiful soul, inside and out. A young woman who refuses to let Functional Neurological Disorder define her, who keeps getting back up and proving that even the biggest battles can be fought with courage, hope and determination.

Tonight, she didn’t just walk into her prom.

She walked into it like the warrior princess she truly is. 👑✨

Thank you to her and her family for allowing me to share this special moment with you all.

02/07/2026

Meeting our summer visitors after a hot and hard Hippotherapy session and taking a well-earned hydration break! 💦☀️
These miniature Shetland ponies capture everyone’s hearts. Even the vet says hello to them before the humans and the other ponies! They are little celebrities, and I’m so happy to see them back for another summer.
Don’t be fooled though – like all Shetlands, they are incredibly cheeky! 🐴😂 But despite their mischievous personalities, they have a wonderful way of gently approaching my client and sharing a calm, mutually enjoyable moment together.
There is something very special about the connection between people and ponies. Simply stroking a pony, feeling their warm coat, listening to their breathing and enjoying their quiet presence can have a powerful effect on mood and wellbeing. Interactions like these can help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, improve emotional regulation and encourage social engagement and communication.
Not every therapeutic moment happens in the saddle. Sometimes the most meaningful moments come from simply being present with a pony and sharing a gentle connection. 💛
These little ponies may be tiny, but the impact they have on people’s hearts and wellbeing is enormous.

30/06/2026

One hand in her pocket… and still smashing the task!

Play is a big part of therapy.

In this session the child is side sitting at halt while posting pegs into a hole toy. Activities like this encourage reaching, hand control, coordination and problem solving — all important physiotherapy goals.

You might notice she has one hand in her pocket. That’s completely her choice. In equine assisted therapies we work with the child, not against them. Giving children control helps them feel safe, engaged and motivated to participate.

Even when the horse is standing still, side sitting provides a great physiotherapy challenge for balance, trunk control and postural stability while the child reaches and plays.

Movement, position and play are all carefully chosen to work towards each child’s individual goals.

HOPE Hippotherapy
Horse Offering Physical Enrichment
Dummer, Hampshire

28/06/2026

Just 6 weeks ago, this was a 15-minute stand with her frame while grooming Tara. 💜

Although there’s no Hippotherapy this week, I wanted to remind everyone just how far she has come in such a short time.

✨ She can now mount and sit on Tara.
✨ She can use her legs to ask Tara to move on.
✨ She is now walking short distances using hinged knee braces and elbow crutches.

This is what determination looks like.

Living with FND isn’t easy, and progress is rarely a straight line, but she continues to show incredible strength and resilience every single week.

Her goal? To walk into her school prom. 🌟

We are all behind her, every step of the way. Keep believing, keep fighting, and never underestimate what can happen in just six weeks. 💜🐴

26/06/2026

Progress – Second Session on a Pony (Part 2) 🐴✨

Part 2 of our second session on a pony, and we’re seeing even more progress!

With the pony working in a faster walk, there was increased active movement through the legs and trunk. The movement of the horse provides a wonderful opportunity to challenge balance, coordination, and muscle activation in a way that is both functional and motivating.

Most importantly, she was enjoying herself! 😊 The smiles, engagement, and willingness to participate are just as important as the physical gains. When therapy is enjoyable, children are often willing to work harder without even realising it.

It’s fantastic to see her confidence growing alongside the movement. Every session builds on the last, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes her.

24/06/2026

☀️ Due to the extreme heat in the UK, Hippotherapy is cancelled today. ☀️

The welfare of both our clients and our wonderful ponies always comes first, and today’s temperatures are just a little too much for everyone.

Of course, being a pony mum means there are no days off completely… there’s still poo picking to be done! 💩🐴

And yes, we Brits really don’t cope well with any weather extremes. A bit of snow and the country stops, a heatwave and we’re all melting! 😂

Robbie is keeping cool by having lots of showers today. I am looking forward to getting back to our Hippotherapy sessions when the temperatures are kinder. 💙🐴🚿

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and try to keep cool everyone!

22/06/2026

Session 2 on a pony, and what a difference a week can make! 👏

Not only has there been progress with mounting, but also with active leg movement. Although controlling the pony is not normally part of Hippotherapy, and we don’t use reins, we do often incorporate voice commands. However, that wasn’t our goal today.

What we were working on was active contraction of the leg muscles. Last week, if you watched the video closely, you probably wouldn’t have been able to see much movement at all. This week is a completely different story!

Look at that active leg movement and engagement! These may seem like small changes, but they represent huge neurological and physical achievements. Every contraction, every repetition, and every success is helping to build confidence, strength, and motor control.

Absolutely smashing it! 💪🐴

This week looked a little different for one of my Hippotherapy clients.AI generated image. Before she had even come thro...
21/06/2026

This week looked a little different for one of my Hippotherapy clients.

AI generated image.

Before she had even come through the gate and onto the driveway, she was making it very clear that she did not want to get on Taffy. As she has limited vocabulary and finds it difficult to communicate her needs, it is so important that we listen to what she is telling us in the ways that she can communicate.

When children become dysregulated, their emotions, sensory systems and nervous systems can become overwhelmed. At times like this, asking them to continue with a planned activity is often not the right thing to do. Instead, we need to meet them where they are and help them feel safe, calm and connected again.

One of the wonderful things about horses is that therapeutic benefits don’t only happen when a child is riding. Simply being close to a calm, trusted horse can be incredibly regulating. Taffy’s gentle presence helped provide a sense of comfort and security, without any pressure or expectations.

So instead of a Hippotherapy session, we sat by the fence with Taffy and read her favourite story, Room on the Broom. She watched him, talked about him in her own way, and enjoyed sharing that quiet moment with him.

We also spent time exploring nature together. She picked flowers, held ladybirds and enjoyed being outdoors in the sunshine. These moments may seem small, but they are often exactly what a child needs.

Not every session looks the way we planned, and that’s okay. Success isn’t always measured by getting on the horse. Sometimes success is listening, adapting, and supporting a child to leave feeling calmer, happier and more regulated than when they arrived.

This week, she went home smiling, relaxed and connected to the world around her. For me, that’s a successful session. ❤️🐴🌼🐞

Address

Basingstoke
RG252AF

Opening Hours

11:30am - 1:30pm

Telephone

+447738513766

Website

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