Where horses help children find their superpower
Equine Assisted Therapy for young people in Cheshire and Lancashire.
You've watched your child struggle at school, in friendships, with their self-esteem.
They may already have some support and need more. Maybe they find it hard to open up in a room with a stranger, or find the words that describe how they feel. Maybe you're just exhausted from trying to find the right thing.
You don't need another option that sounds good on paper but doesn't reach your child.
You need something that gets them out of their head and into the world - building real confidence, real skills, and real tools to cope with life.
That's what we do.
If your child is struggling,
you're in the right place.
We work with young people aged 9 to 18 who are finding everyday life hard. Whether that looks like refusing to go to school, struggling to manage big emotions, finding friendships difficult, or carrying the weight of difficult experiences, this programme is designed for them.
We support young people experiencing:
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Anxiety, trauma, and emotional dysregulation
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Autism, ADHD, and sensory sensitivities
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Grief, loss, or attachment difficulties
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Social difficulties and school avoidance
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Low confidence and self-esteem
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Looked-after and adopted young people
You don't need a formal diagnosis. You just need to know that your child needs more support than they're currently getting.
Why Equine Therapy?
Sometimes the most powerful thing isn't talking about the problem directly.
Horses offer something unique. They become a living metaphor. A young person who struggles to trust might find it easier to talk about why the horse won't come to them. A child who feels out of control might open up when reflecting on how to stay calm around an animal that mirrors their every emotion. The conversation happens, it just happens through the horse, in a way that feels safe enough to be real.
And alongside the therapeutic work, your child will be learning real, practical skills. How to read an animal's body language. How to lead, communicate, and problem-solve. How to be responsible for something that depends on them. Skills that build confidence from the inside out and show up at home, at school, and in friendships long after the sessions end.
Practical skills your child will carry with them for life.
Every session is tailored to your child's individual goals. This isn't a one-size-fits-all programme. Over time, young people typically develop:
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Emotional regulation — learning to recognise and manage their feelings in the moment, not just talk about them afterwards
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Confidence — built through real, tangible achievements with the horses
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Resilience — the ability to cope when things feel hard, and to keep going
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Communication skills — how to express themselves clearly and read the responses of others
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Responsibility and independence — caring for an animal builds a sense of capability and self-worth
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Stress reduction — time with horses has a proven calming effect on the nervous system
Parents regularly tell us they start to notice changes at home and at school within the first few weeks. Not just in how their child behaves, but in how they relate to others.
Delivered with expertise
Jackie Archer is a BACP Registered Psychotherapist, ICF-accredited
Equus Coach, and Athena Herd Certified Equine Assisted Practitioner, holding a Master's degree in Integrative Psychotherapy.
With over 10 years of direct experience working with children and young people across mainstream and alternative education settings, Jackie brings a rare combination of clinical expertise, coaching, and horsemanship to the sessions. Her approach is trauma-informed, somatic, and relational.
Straightforward, consistent support built around your child.
The Natural Wisdom Family Programme
We believe the most meaningful progress happens when a child has time, consistency, and a
trusted relationship to grow within. That is why we offer our work as a complete 12-session
programme rather than individual sessions to book one at a time.
The programme includes everything your child needs to begin, work through, and close a full
therapeutic journey with no hidden extras and no separate charges for assessment or review.
Everything included in your programme:
Therapeutic Assessment Session
A full on-site assessment before sessions begin. Includes a meet and greet with the horses, a comprehensive therapeutic assessment with outcome measures, and a tailored therapy plan. This is where we get to know your child properly before the work starts.
12 x 1:1 Equine Therapy Sessions
Up to 60 minutes each. A mix of horsemanship activities, somatic work and therapeutic exploration, individually tailored to your child's goals each week. Delivered weekly.
Mid-Programme Review
An online or telephone review at the halfway point. We look at progress, adjust the therapy plan where needed, and make sure the programme continues to fit your child's needs. Particularly valuable for EHCP-funded young people.
Brief Session Updates After Every Session
After each session, Jackie will update you briefly on how your child got on. You will never leave the yard wondering. Attendance confirmation and session overviews are included throughout.
PLUS 6 Months Exclusive Access to the "Herd Space". Natural Wisdom's very own Online Community for Parents & Carers
Your child's programme does not end when the sessions do. For six months after the programme closes, you and your family have full VIP access to the Natural Wisdom online community: a private, supported space built specifically for parents and carers of young people in our service.
Inside the community, you will find:
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A warm, familiar community of parents and carers who understand exactly what you are navigating
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Support courses for parents on regulation, attachment, and understanding your child
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Guest speakers, including educational psychologists, occupational therapists, and mental health nurses and other specialists relevant to your child's needs
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Live Q&A sessions with Jackie
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Virtual coffee mornings: informal, supportive, and a chance to connect with others
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A dedicated space for the young people who attend our service, where they can connect with peers after their programme ends
You've read this far because you're looking for something that works.
Let's have a conversation about your child’s circumstances and whether this is the right fit for them.
The sooner we start, the more time your child has to build the confidence and skills they need.
📞 07907 493 100
Locations:
Ivy Dene's Animal Sanctuary, Preston
Folly Farm, Tarporley, Northwich
By appointment only