Hephzibah horses

15/07/2025

Thank you Holly for such a lovely endorsement

Discover healing beyond words with Hephzibah’s equine-assisted therapy near Ashford, Kent. Trauma-informed and spiritually grounded, Hephzibah offers emotional support for grief, loss, and transformation through the intuitive presence of horses.

10/07/2025

Tickets are still available for our party this Saturday (it’s basically a Little Leaves Session with party food and extra special activities) everyone is welcome (and it’s a great chance to try us out if you’ve not come before- if you wait until September you may find we’ve sold out better your trial). Book your ticket by clicking the link in the comments below.

10/07/2025

Sergio is so gentle with young Ezra.

01/07/2025

Our next IRL Youth meet up on July 25th 6-8pm.

Click the link below to book your space. Everyone welcome.

https://churchontheweald.churchsuite.com/events/q1prenco

27/06/2025

07/06/2025

03/05/2025

Smokey is settling in well. He is a dream with small children. Here they are just getting used to each other. X

28/04/2025

We have a new kid on the block here at Hephzibah, meet Smokey. He is getting settled and making new friends. He is going to be a wonderful addition to the Hephzibah herd and we are looking forward to introducing him to you once he is comfortable in his new home.

14/03/2025

01/03/2025

The boys have had a good winter. Last year we built a turnout area of sand and rubber, and what a game changer it has been this winter. No mud, happy horses able to go out in all weathers, expensive but so worth it. Spring is in the air, and here at Hephzibah we have been busy, many new clients. We don’t post often due to client confidentiality. However after now being established as equine assisted learning practice and helping people who have experienced trauma since 2018, all our work now comes from word of mouth. These Spanish horses are kind, intuitive, gentle yet strong, and have helped so many young people and continue to do so. We miss little Alfie, but life goes through many changes, we grow, develop emotional resiliance and are so grateful to be able to do this work. I learn something new every day from these beautiful horses and am humbled by the wonderful clients bravery.

30/01/2025

I haven’t posted for a while, because I haven’t felt able to sadly before Christmas we had to say goodbye to the legend of a pony that was Alfie or his posh name Monolaw music maker.

Alfie was with me for 19 years and passed away at the grand age of 30. He was originally bought for my daughter as a first pony when she was 11 and they had many happy years together until she grew out of him and went on to pursue a career as a professional dancer.

Alfie was a beautiful pony very well put together and he won many rosettes at horse shows. Although he was a very pretty pony he had a cheeky character and wasn’t averse to dropping his shoulder and his small charges would slither off. He was a saint until they were beginning to get more independent, then he would often remind them who was in charge.

Over the years he taught many young children to ride and was loved by all. When he became older and a bit arthritic he started a new career as a therapy pony and this is where his true forte lay. He was gentle and kind to all who had the Privelidge of spending time with him. He was present for all and helped people overcome many challenges. In his twighkight years he was loved by my little grandaughter and patiently let her beautify him and play with him.

He is missed every day, when I go out in the morning I miss his little face over the stable door and his throaty Whicker of affection.

Thank you Alfie for everything you have given us. Gallop free in heavenly pastures where there is no risk of laminitis.

14/10/2024

Great article

The Problems of Being Human 💋

This is a photo of me hugging a horse, and in the horse’s typical gentle, stoic way, this mare is tolerating it but definitely not enjoying it. The only thing that probably would have made her more zoned out is if I kissed her!

I used to be completely oblivious to the fact that horses don’t really enjoy my socially and culturally hardwired desire to hug and kiss them. Even to this day, I have to consciously control my urge to show my enthusiasm and affection to a horse by hugging and kissing them.

I was unaware of this until a rainy day about a decade ago when I was laying on my bed reading dog trainer Dr Patricia McConnell’s book "On the Other End of the Leash". It’s a book about how our human tendencies can get in the way of our relationships with dogs. McConnell points out that we are primates and dogs are canines, and our two species perceive the world and interactions very differently. We tend to anthropomorphise our interpretations of other animals, including dogs and horses. Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to animals. It means we struggle to recognise that other animals do not think, act, or perceive the world as we do. A display of affection for us, can be a threat of aggression to them :/

Anyway, I was reading the book and had come to a part where McConnell explained that hugging can be confronting and uncomfortable for many dogs. To some, it can even feel threatening. She also pointed out that patting a dog on the head isn’t particularly enjoyable for them either. At that point, I got up to get a drink. My dog Callaghan was curled up on the bed near me. I did what I always did when I saw him—because he melted my heart, being such a beautiful boy—I bent down, hugged, and kissed him. It was at that moment I saw it for the first time, and it was confronting. For the first time, I noticed him cringe. He tolerated it but looked away from me, started panting, and yawned. What I had read in that book hadn’t really sunk in before, but it did then, and from that moment on, I became aware of my human urges to kiss and hug animals and began being more respectful about it.

It’s one of those things that, once you see it, you can’t unsee it. So, I’ll say now that I apologise to everyone out there who will now see it and hate me for it. I’m sure I’ll get a number of comments from people telling me they have horses, dogs, or cats that love hugs and kisses. I’m not going to argue with you, and that’s terrific, but I found a lot of peace and honour in respecting other species’ preferences for showing my love and affection. I no longer just touch, hug, or kiss unconsciously. It also stopped that feeling of rejection when a horse or dog moved away or didn't like being touched. It is amazing how understanding can help the way you feel about something ❤

I guess if I can respect that certain cultures don’t hug or kiss either and might bow or shake hands instead, then I can work out what the animals in my life like.

I’ve learnt to really appreciate a horse that allows me to stand close and remain calm and secure in my presence. I take my time finding places they may like to be scratched, but if touch really isn’t their thing, then I’m okay with that. The dog that appreciates sniffing my hand and letting me stroke them gently under the chin or ears—that was Callaghan’s favourite thing, and I was able to work that out once I stopped and paid attention. I loved seeing how much he adored that❤

When I talk about this while working with people and their horses, I’m sometimes misunderstood, as if I don’t like “loving on” a horse. Nothing could be further from the truth. That desire is strong, and I’ll admit that sometimes I still impose a hug on a horse😬, and I do love finding their favourite scratch spots. It’s just that I worked out that loving on a horse was more about me than them, and I’ve taught myself to find great meaning in just standing with them, moving with them, feeling them be okay in my presence, and following me where I guide them❤.