Royal visit to Equestrian Centre dedicated to changing young lives

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Vice-Patron of charity The British Horse Society (BHS), visited Parbold Equestrian Centre in Wigan on Thursday 23 January. The purpose of the HRH visit was to meet young people who are enrolled on the charity’s Changing Lives through Horses (CLtH) scheme.

CLtH is delivered by specially trained BHS Accredited Professional Coaches and aims to reignite a desire to learn in people aged between 10 and 24 years old who are at risk of becoming *NEET (not in education, employment or training). The scheme encourages them to reconnect with society whilst working alongside horses as the participants are often suited to an alternative education environment for a range of complex reasons.

Recently, the BHS also partnered with RSPCA to rehome rescued horses into BHS Approved Centres across the country, where the scheme takes place. Parbold Equestrian Centre is one of the first BHS Approved Riding Centres to rehome three rescue horses, Slinky, Trooper and Bungle who will work with the young people on the programme.

Tracy Casstles, Director of Fundraising of the BHS says:

We are delighted that our Vice-Patron, The Princess Royal, has been able to witness the wonderful bond developing between the young people on our scheme and RSPCA’s rescue horses. Her Royal Highness has dedicated so much of her time to the equestrian industry and with Parbold being one of the first centres to launch the Changing Lives scheme back in 2017, it feels extra special for all those involved.”

The two charities decided to come together as equine rehoming centres are becoming full and the number of horses being subject to neglect is at an all-time high. By placing these horses into Changing Lives Centres, they can be rehabilitated alongside the young people who are currently on the scheme. Many of those on the programme have been referred by their school, local authority or police and it is often their last opportunity to develop their skills in order to return to education and/or employment. The difficult backgrounds experienced by many of the participants makes them particularly able to relate to the horses they are working with.

This programme relies on public donations and grant funding. Please consider making a donation, visit; bhs.org.uk/changinglivesthroughhorses or text ‘CLTH65 £5’ to 70070 to start changing someone’s life.

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.