Keysoe, a tranquil village in Bedfordshire, is at the heart of an innovative collaboration that’s changing the landscape of eating disorder recovery for young people. The partnership between the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the Keysoe Cuddle Ponies is delivering powerful results through animal-assisted therapy.
The Keysoe Cuddle Ponies, a specially trained team based at Keysoe International, provide a calming and supportive environment for children and adolescents facing complex emotional challenges. Scientific research increasingly supports the benefits of equine therapy for a range of psychological conditions, including ADHD, autism, PTSD, depression, and eating disorders.
Recently, CAMHS practitioners have integrated equine therapy sessions into their treatment plans for young people with eating disorders. Fran Travis, a CAMHS Eating Disorder Practitioner Nurse, commented:
“I regularly visit the ponies with young people from my caseload. Time and time again, I have observed the remarkable therapeutic benefits these sessions provide.
Many young people arrive feeling extremely low in mood, often having struggled for a considerable period. Yet something quite special happens when they meet a pony. Almost immediately, there is a visible shift, shoulders soften, expressions lighten, and slowly we see glimpses of the young person reconnecting with themselves.
The ponies offer something uniquely powerful: comfort without expectation, connection without pressure, and presence without judgement.”
A range of activities—including grooming, walking, and small group sessions—form part of the therapeutic process. ‘Breakfast with Belle’ is a standout initiative, encouraging attendees to build positive associations with food in a relaxed, fear-free setting.
The collaborative approach is central to the programme’s success. Keysoe’s peaceful rural setting allows young people to engage with therapy away from the pressures of clinical environments. The ponies, clinicians, and parents work together to create a tailored, safe, and supportive atmosphere for each individual.
Ms Travis added:
“For individuals who may be close to hospital admission, the calm reassurance and gentle distraction provided by a pony can help break through overwhelming anxiety around food.
These moments are not small victories, they are often pivotal steps in treatment.
The ponies also inspire motivation and hope. Many young people dream of returning to riding once physically well enough, while others aspire to work with horses in the future. The animals become not only companions in recovery, but symbols of possibility.”
This unique partnership between CAMHS and Keysoe Cuddle Ponies is offering a lifeline to young people in Bedfordshire, harnessing the healing power of horses to support recovery and inspire hope.
