An inclusive equestrian business in Dorset is expanding its reach after securing financial backing to support children who fall outside traditional riding pathways.

HD Horsemanship, founded by Sam Anderson-Parker, was created to provide accessible horse riding and equine facilitated learning for children, including those with special educational needs and those who are home educated. The business focuses on supporting young people who may not fit within conventional riding school structures or Riding for the Disabled Association environments.

“We are not a traditional riding school, and we are not an RDA centre. We exist for the children and young people who sit between those two worlds and desperately need a place where they feel understood and supported,” says Anderson-Parker.

“We are not a traditional riding school, and we are not an RDA centre.”

Sam Anderson-Parker

Since opening in November, the Dorset-based centre has grown steadily, increasing its number of ponies and supporting up to 40 young people through tailored sessions designed around individual needs.

Child-led approach supports confidence and development

Unlike many riding schools, sessions at HD Horsemanship are flexible and led by the child, allowing participants to build confidence at their own pace. Activities can begin with grooming, sensory interaction, or simply spending time around the ponies before progressing to ridden work.

With one-to-one or very small group sessions, SEND-aware teaching methods and carefully matched horses, the approach is designed to support a wide range of physical, emotional and sensory needs.

Parents and carers have reported noticeable improvements in confidence, resilience and social interaction, with some children forming friendships and engaging in activities they previously found challenging.

“Watching these children blossom has been incredible,” Anderson-Parker says. “They turn up in all weathers, they stick with it, and they grow in ways that go far beyond riding.”

Funding supports growth and long-term sustainability

The business received £5,000 in funding through the Start Up Loans programme, delivered by GC Business Finance. The funding enabled HD Horsemanship to secure suitable ponies and establish strong operational foundations.

“The support we received went far beyond the funding,” Anderson-Parker explains. “The guidance around running the business, particularly on the financial side, gave us confidence and helped us deliver a much higher quality service to local families.”

Early challenges included securing appropriate land and navigating a detailed local authority licensing process. The business was awarded a four-star licence, with feedback indicating it could achieve the highest rating once it reaches two years of operation.

Alex Mearns, Head of Start Up Lending at GC Business Finance, said the business demonstrated strong potential from the outset, highlighting its clear social purpose and long-term sustainability.

Growing demand for inclusive equestrian opportunities

The success of HD Horsemanship reflects a growing demand for more inclusive equestrian environments that prioritise wellbeing, accessibility and individual development.

As awareness increases around the benefits of equine facilitated learning, particularly for children with additional needs, centres offering flexible and supportive approaches are becoming an important part of the wider equestrian landscape.

Looking ahead, HD Horsemanship plans to expand its session offering, create paid roles alongside its volunteer base and work more closely with local schools. There are also long-term ambitions to move to a larger site to increase capacity.

“This is just the beginning,” Anderson-Parker says. “With the right support, we can help many more children experience the benefits of equine learning.”