The Next Steps Forward

01/05/2026

Hi everyone 💬

My business email and website are temporarily unavailable, so if you need to get in touch over the next few days, please contact me on:

📧 soniavant@sky.com
📞 07398 238708
Or message me directly here.

If you’ve sent me an email recently and haven’t had a reply, please resend it so I don’t miss anything.

Thank you 💙
Sonia

28/04/2026

🌿 For the mums who never get a moment…

For the ones who are always holding everything together.

Making sure everyone else is okay.
Keeping the routine going.
Showing up, even when you’re exhausted.

The ones who don’t often stop to ask…
“How am I actually doing?”

⸻

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had so many conversations with mums who feel:

• overwhelmed
• constantly “on”
• emotionally drained
• like they’ve lost a bit of themselves somewhere along the way

And it makes sense.

Because you’re giving so much of yourself, often with very little space to refill your own cup.

⸻

🌿 This is your reminder:

You are allowed to pause.
You are allowed to feel.
You are allowed to have space that is just for you.

⸻

🐎 My adult sessions are designed to be exactly that.

A calm, supportive space where:
• nothing is rushed
• nothing is forced
• you can simply arrive as you are

Working alongside the horses, or in a quieter setting, we focus on:
✨ slowing down
✨ regulating the nervous system
✨ reconnecting with yourself

⸻

💙 And because I know childcare can be a barrier…

I can offer a calm, supervised space for your child alongside your session for £10 per child, so you can fully take that time for yourself.

⸻

If you’ve been feeling like you need something, even if you can’t quite put it into words -

🐎this might be it.

💙 Next adult group session: Saturday 23rd May (PM)

A gentle, small group space to slow down, reconnect, and take some time for you.

Message me if you’d like to chat or book in 💙

27/04/2026

🌿 What’s Coming Up in May 🐎

Over the last few weeks in sessions, one thing keeps coming up…

~ big emotions
~ feeling overwhelmed
~ struggling to slow down

Whether it’s children finding it hard to regulate, or adults feeling stuck and constantly “on”

the work always comes back to the same place:
✨ slowing down
✨ reconnecting
✨ feeling safe again

And the horses meet you exactly there 💙

⸻

🌿 May Sessions & Workshops

🐎 Saturday Group Sessions
• May 2nd 10am-12pm
• May 16th 10am-12pm
£25 per person
Gentle group sessions including animal care and low-level equine therapy

⸻

🌿 Saturday 23rd May – Workshop Day

✨ AM – Children’s Workshop
Supporting confidence, emotional regulation, and connection through guided activities with the horses

✨ PM – Adult Workshop (1.5hrs)
A calm, reflective space based around themes of:
• overwhelm
• nervous system regulation
• reconnecting with yourself

£35 per person

💙 For those attending adult sessions, I can also offer a calm, supervised children’s space for them to enjoy the animals on the farm alongside for £10 per child - allowing you time to fully focus on yourself. These spots are limited.

⸻

🌿 May Half Term – Fun Mornings on the Farm

Tuesday – Thursday
10am - 12pm
£30 per session

A relaxed, fun space for children to:
• spend time with animals
• build confidence
• connect and enjoy being outdoors

⸻

🌿 1:1 Therapy Sessions Available

I also offer 1:1 equine therapy sessions for children and adults throughout the week and weekends.

These sessions are tailored to the individual and support:
• emotional regulation
• anxiety and overwhelm
• confidence building
• behaviour and connection

A calmer, more focused space to work at your own pace 💙

⸻

📍 Charing – Farm-based sessions
📍 Small groups to keep it calm, safe & meaningful

⸻

If you’ve been thinking about booking in or feel like this could support your child or yourself, message me to reserve a space or ask any questions 💙

24/04/2026

🌿 Following on from a session I shared earlier this week… What This Teaches About Children’s Behaviour 🐎

Following on from my last post, I wanted to share something important that often comes up in sessions.

When a child struggles to listen, follow instructions, or seems constantly on the go, it’s easy to see it as behaviour that needs correcting.

But often… it’s not that simple.

What we see on the outside - the frustration, the impulsiveness, the pushing of boundaries - is often coming from something underneath.

A nervous system that’s overwhelmed.
A body that doesn’t yet know how to slow down.
Feelings that are too big to put into words.

In the session I shared, nothing changed because the child was told off or made to “behave”.

The shift happened when:
• the pace slowed
• the body softened
• breathing changed
• awareness grew

And the horse responded immediately.

This is what makes working alongside horses so powerful.

They don’t respond to words.
They respond to what’s felt.

Which means children begin to understand:
“When I feel like this, things feel chaotic”
“When I slow down, things change”

Not because they were told -
but because they experienced it.

And that’s where real learning happens.

Not through correction.
But through connection 🌿🐎

21/04/2026

🌿 A Moment from a Recent Session 🐎

I wanted to share something from last week that really stayed with me.

A young child came into session with a lot of energy, finding it hard to slow down, listen, and feel settled in different environments.

When we began working with Crown, a 16.3hh ex-racehorse, that energy showed up straight away.
Fast movements, little pauses, not quite hearing what was being asked.

And Crown responded.

He became unsettled, unsure, a little head shy - reflecting exactly what he was feeling from the other end of the lead rope.

Nothing was said in a big way.
We just slowed it down.

Breathing.
Pausing.
Softening.

As the child began to regulate - slowing his body, his breath, his movements - everything shifted.

Crown softened.
Walked calmly.
Stayed connected.

They made their way around the obstacle together.

And then something really special happened…

The lead rope came off.

And Crown chose to follow.

Around the cones, calmly and in sync - no rope, just connection.

The smile said everything.
A moment of “I did that.”
Calm.
Pride.
Belief.

From high energy to connection… guided by a horse who simply responded to what he was given.

These are the moments that matter.
Not forced.
Not rushed.
Just built through awareness, trust, and connection 🌿🐎

20/04/2026

🌿 Two Different Spaces, Same Support

One of the things I’m often asked is where sessions take place - and the answer is, it depends on what feels right for you.

I currently offer therapy in two different settings, each holding the same intention, but in a slightly different way.

🌿 Charing - Farm-Based Sessions
These sessions take place outdoors, alongside the horses and animals.
They are more experiential and body-led, supporting regulation, confidence, connection, and emotional awareness through movement, presence, and interaction with the environment.

This space is particularly powerful for those who:
• find it hard to sit and talk
• feel overwhelmed in traditional settings
• benefit from being outdoors and grounded in nature

🌊 Deal - Room-Based / Walk & Talk Sessions
This is a quieter, more contained space. Sessions can be held in a room, creatively, or through walk-and-talk by the sea.

These sessions are more reflective and conversational, offering space to process thoughts, explore emotions, and gently work through challenges at your own pace.

Both spaces offer the same core approach:
• trauma-informed
• paced to the individual
• no pressure, no expectation
• meeting you exactly where you are

Some people know straight away what feels right.
Others begin in one space and move into another as things shift.

There’s no “better” option - only what feels most supportive for you at this moment.

If you’re unsure, I’m always happy to talk it through and guide you 🌿🐎

13/04/2026

13/04/2026

We had such a lovely morning at our Easter Camp last week 🐣🌿

The children enjoyed a variety of activities including grooming and plaiting the horses, an exciting Easter egg hunt, and even feeding the lambs 🐑

It was wonderful to see new friendships forming, teamwork developing, and everyone feeling relaxed and at ease in the calm, nurturing farm environment.

So much laughter, connection, and special moments shared ✨

We can’t wait for the next one!💙🥰

01/04/2026

🌿 FB Post – Easter Workshops (Deeper Insight)

🌿 More Than Just a Holiday Activity 🐎

With the Easter workshops now open, I wanted to share a little more about what these sessions really offer.

Yes, they’re fun.
Yes, the children spend time with the animals, out in nature, and away from screens.

But underneath that, something much more important is happening.

During sessions, I often see children who:
• struggle to express how they’re feeling
• find friendships or group situations overwhelming
• carry worries that come out as frustration or withdrawal
• just need space to slow down and feel safe

And what the horses offer is something different.

They don’t judge.
They don’t rush.
They don’t expect children to be anything other than how they are in that moment.

Through simple, guided activities on the ground, children begin to:
• settle their nervous system
• build confidence in small, achievable steps
• understand boundaries and communication
• feel a sense of calm and connection

It’s not about pushing.
It’s about allowing.

And often, that’s where the biggest changes begin.

If you’re looking for something this Easter that feels supportive as well as enjoyable, you’re very welcome to message me for more information or to reserve a space.

I also have limited availability for 1:1 sessions over the Easter period for children or adults who may benefit from more individual, tailored support 🌿🐎

27/03/2026

🐣🌸 EASTER HOLIDAY FARM FUN IS HERE! 🌸🐣

We’re so excited to welcome children onto the farm this Easter for magical mornings filled with animals, nature, and creativity 💙

Join us for:
🐎 Pony grooming & activities
🐑 Lamb feeding
🦙 Alpaca walking
🎨 Arts & crafts
🥚 Easter egg hunt

Dates:
Tuesday 7th April
Wednesday 8th April
Thursday 9th April
Friday 17th April

Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm
£32 per child
Charing, Kent

Spaces are limited and these always fill quickly 🌿

Message to book or contact:
sonia@thenextstepsforward.com
07398 238708

🌿 A gentle, joyful Easter experience connecting children with animals and nature.

16/02/2026

🌿 The Last Day of the Snake Year 🐍

There’s something about today that feels symbolic.

A closing.
A shedding.
A quiet acknowledgement of what this year has required.

The snake energy has been about survival.
About tightening up.
Protecting.
Enduring.
Learning hard lessons.

And if I’m honest, this year has asked that of me.
It’s asked me to face things I didn’t choose.
To rebuild strength in places that were shaken.
To sit with fear instead of running from it.

But survival isn’t where we stay.

Tomorrow we step into the energy of the horse 🐎
And that feels different.

The horse doesn’t survive, it moves.
It responds.
It trusts its body.
It steps forward.

And I think that’s the shift.

Leaving behind:
• the constant bracing
• the old narratives
• the anger that was really fear
• the parts of me that only knew how to protect

Not pretending it didn’t happen.
Just choosing not to carry it forward.

This year I’m stepping differently.
With clearer boundaries.
With calmer strength.
With less apology for taking up space.

And that’s exactly the work I’m seeing unfold in sessions too, children finding the courage to say “I’m scared,” adults softening into honesty, movement happening without force.

Maybe this isn’t about becoming someone new.
Maybe it’s about finally walking as who you are, without the weight.

If you’ve been shedding this year…
I hope you step forward with intention tomorrow 🌿🐎

And if you’re ready to explore that shift, gently, safely, at your own pace, the horses are here. 💙

02/02/2026

🌿 Weekend Reflections from the Farm 🐎

This weekend’s groups were something really special.

We had a beautiful mix of ages 5, 9 and 11 boys and girls, all coming together and working so gently with Spirit. Every session reminds me that no matter how carefully you plan, the real work begins when you meet children (and adults) exactly where they are that day, and allow them to bring what they need into the space.

Our morning group, which naturally flowed into a couple of private sessions afterwards, centred around fear, the things that feel scary, hard to say out loud, or too big to name.

For the boys especially, it was clear how difficult it can be to admit feeling scared. Saying it out loud felt exposing, and instead those feelings had often been coming out as frustration or angry outbursts. Once we slowed things down, talked together, and spent time drawing what helps them feel calm, something shifted.

From there, the group worked together to design their own obstacle course in the school and take Spirit through it on the lead rope. Watching this unfold never fails to amaze me.

Spirit met each child exactly where they were:
• gently dozing and softening for our 5-year-old
• holding steady and responsive for the group
• and showing a bit of her stubborn side for our 11-year-old, offering just the right amount of challenge

She mirrors what’s at the other end of the rope every time.

These moments, where fear is acknowledged, not judged, and where children feel safe enough to explore it, are where confidence, understanding, and real movement forward begin.

So grateful for the trust placed in this work, and for the horses who teach us again and again that slowing down and being honest changes everything 🌿🐎
Thank you Zoe Britt for your support through the sessions and Deborah Anna Andersen for your amazing lessons given 🥰💙