Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

Musical Mats and Hoops - The children ride around the arena, dismount, run for a mat or hoop once the whistle blows or the arm drops (response, co-ordination and awareness work alongside counting and colour perception).

Confidence - Initially, when children are helped onto a donkey they are a little apprehensive due to their distance from the ground and feeling the donkey move. After a few lessons they gain trust in the donkey and the instructor, they will then begin to touch and stroke the donkey, give verbal commands and try to take control.

The emotional and physical benefits of companion animals are now being established in psychiatric hospitals and elderly care units and there is well-researched evidence that the presence of animals can have a direct calming influence.