31/12/2025
As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the past 12 months - this is a long one!
We’re reaching the end of our fifth year, and this has been our biggest yet. I’m so incredibly proud of our whole team, our herd, and of course our wonderful clients, who support us just as much as we support them.
One of the challenges of growing an organisation can be holding onto that local, welcoming, community feel at the heart of everything we do. But I think we’re managing it! There’s something really lovely about walking around the yard each day and seeing people benefiting from time with the herd, being outdoors, and being supported by such a talented, caring team.
This year, our equine assisted psychotherapy has continued to grow, with some truly life-changing outcomes. Our funded therapy projects have once again had a huge impact, allowing so many people to access support. Our Alternative Provision properly got off the ground and has really flourished in the second half of the year. Therapeutic riding is in the middle of a shift, and both the two-legged and four-legged team have embraced that wholeheartedly. We also welcomed our first cohort of Level 4 diploma students, and we couldn’t be prouder of how well they’re doing.
Through all that we do, the team has been nothing short of amazing. The skill and commitment they bring every day deserves so much recognition ❤️
I also want to be honest. Like many organisations, we are facing real challenges. With spiralling costs keeping horses has never been harder. The hay crisis, feed costs, vet bills, physiotherapy, farriery, saddle fitting, insurance, licensing, and the growing impact of climate change on land management all add up quickly.
Alongside this, we want to pay our team fairly, offer CPD and supervision, and make sure they can take proper time off. Then there are the less visible costs of growth such as software, admin, accounting, and VAT registration. It’s no surprise that all of this is starting to feel like a stretch.
We’ve been incredibly fortunate over the past five years to access funding that has helped us keep costs low for clients. But it is becoming harder to secure and more time-consuming to apply for. In our board meetings, we increasingly find ourselves having to balance affordability with the long-term viability of the organisation. Moving away from the affordable ethos we were founded on is something I’ve grappled with more in 2025 than any other year.
And yet, one thing we are very good at here is hope.
I remain incredibly hopeful about the future. It’s hard not to be when we’re ending the year with such a strong team, nine very special horses, and a wonderful community of clients and supporters. We have big plans and lots to offer our community, still doing all we possibly can to improve access and affordability.
We continue to adapt in response to the times which keeps us strong and moving forwards. We stay aligned with our values of connection, authenticity, and professionalism, and we keep striving to help people find their place in the herd. I firmly believe we will not go far wrong if we hold on to these foundations.
Even with all the ups and downs, we’re very much looking forward to supporting the mental health of our community in 2026. We’ll see you there! 🐴
Emily x
