Meet Our Horses

Get to Know our Horses 

We feel it is just as important to understand the personal qualities and characteristics of a horse, before expecting them to walk alongside an individual and start their healing magic. They too have unique personalities, experiences that have shaped them and a special something to offer you. So it is helpful to get a feel for them, before meeting them and trusting each other to this journey you are beginning.

Two years ago, having one horse never mind three, hadn't really entered our minds. But we were interested in equine facilitated therapy and learning and in August 2022 we did some practitioner training and became really enthusiastic and inspired about the endless equine possibilities around groundwork therapy.

The lovely Tiger Lily (the little dun mare) had been on our radar as a possibility for some time, so we approached Margaret Green Animal Rescue. She seemed a kind, sensible little horse, who might be within our capabilities to offer a home to.

The MG team duly invited us to meet her and full of optimism, off we went. Tiger Lily gave us one of her looks on arrival, which we now have learned to recognize well. Never under estimate the Tiger is now our constant refrain.

Tiger Lily

She may be small and cute looking and she's happy to help you with anything, but after a hay net preferably, not during. When we persuaded her to accompany us to the manege at MG, she walked in, booted a yoga ball up the enclosure and then gave us another one of her looks. Needlesstosay, after putting her through a few exercises (which of course she could do with her eyes shut), we were sold and were ready to take her there and then, quite smug with our discerning insight at picking out such a clever little horse.

Since coming to us, Tiger Lily or Tiggy Tigs (among many nicknames) has just grown in kindness, patience and endurance, not to mention her naughty sense of humour. She has probably had quite a few homes and ended up being abandoned in a field. We are the luckiest people alive to be entrusted with her.

Tigs is a little horse with a mighty character. Her special superpower is listening; you can tell her anything and she will stand and just be with you. She has the softest of breaths and rubs when you need encouragement and the daintiest of footsteps when you walk beside her. She loves learning new things and teaching them back to you for treats, quite clever when you think about it. She is generous with her time and honest with her feedback, sometimes more sensitive at delivering it than her blunt pal Chelsea!


Tiger knows her rights and calls them in most days. But again, you get a sense she is just trying to show you how to do things better. She used to scream the place down or paw the ground when we got things wrong, but a lot less now. She'll always be bossy though... We know our place.

Chelsea Girl

When the Margaret Green team said that they had another horse who might be good for Equine Facilitated Learning, we were doubtful (by that read terrified); we'd looked at the website many times and only Tiger Lily seemed the right fit at the time. They introduced Chelsea (our big skewbald girl), now 21 years old, a part bred arab cross, who we had ruled out as EFL material. She had been part of a neglected herd for the first 14 years of her life and seemed altogether too much horse for us and anyway, who takes home two horses at a time! But we said we would try her out... and then politely run for the hills with Tiggy tucked under our arms. Two and a half years later, here we are...

What can we say about our Chelsea???

We won't lie, she led us a merry dance in the early days, more bear with a sore head than teddy bear. She refused to go into her stable at first, but then she'd been used to a light, airy barn, and had been at MG's for 6 years. She also was very anxious after such a big move, so we had to learn patience. We took baby steps to allow her her own time and now she goes inside if she wants to. And asks politely to come out... quite quickly! When you see your horse bravely try something which worries them, for the first time, you feel very privileged.

Chelsea has a rhythm which instantly makes you feel relaxed. She has a big presence but is as light as a feather on a lead rope, when doing groundwork. And has a warm way of holding you, just when you need her. She's also partial to a scratch on her shoulders.

Chelsea is still frightened of her own shadow sometimes and can be quite shy for such a beautiful, big girl, but will try anything you ask of her, if she can. If you ask her wrong, she will gently nudge you to try again, but better. She has become more vocal in a nice confident way, with her special little whinnies and nose pokes, you just have to take notice or you might miss it. It feels like we're having proper conversations with her these days. She makes her little oinks of indignation much less now, so she must be getting through to us..

To say they have been life changing is an understatement; we got them to firstly give them a home, but also to bring something to others through the EFL. But they are working their magic on us too and they are immensely patient and brave, willing to tolerate all our mistakes and incredibly funny, beautiful girls.

Tiger is now 25 and Chelsea 21 and neither shows any sign of slowing up, although we will give them that option if and when they ask. They have a lifetime of experience to teach us and we can't imagine a time now when they weren't here.

Brandy Snap

And if we didn't have enough hoofy happiness and healing going on, Brandy Snap ( the handsome Chestnut chap) joined us in October 2023 and life will never be the same for us or the girls! We knew he was part of the same rescue operation that our Chelsea was involved in years ago, so we have always kept an eye on him at Margaret Green Animal Rescue, but like Chelsea originally, didn't quite see him as being EFL material. But a chance meeting with him over the fence at the Rescue Centre and the seed was sown. The MG team had brought him on in huge strides and after several more visits, we were completely smitten.

Brandy or The Little Prince as he gets nicknamed (also 21) burst onto the scene at our yard and promptly made for his old field mate Chelsea. Looking at their passports, it turns out they have the same dads and are actually half siblings. They spend all their spare time mutually grooming and the new boy won't let his sister out of his sight. Poor old Tiger is more disgusted than ever by the pair of them, but having fielded with them before, understands the score. Luckily there is enough love to go around for everyone.

So we are loving having Brandy on our team; he has a lovely way of snuffling at your fingers and following you around if you ask him to come with you. He is sensitive and funny (slightly ridiculous, but in a charming way) and has a hairstyle a pop star would envy. He loves positive feedback and returns it in spades; he definitely wears his heart on his hooves. Again, as with the girls, we feel very lucky to be entrusted with his care and know he will weave his unique magic on everyone who meets him.