HOPE Hippotherapy

HOPE Hippotherapy At H.O.P.E Hippotherapy, we believe every child deserves the freedom to move, grow and thrive.

Through Horses Offering Physical Enrichment we help children build strength, connection and confidence in a safe nurturing space, where therapy feels like a joy

22/02/2026

The wellbeing and health of a Hippotherapy pony is absolutely paramount 🐴

At Hope Hippotherapy, our ponies are true therapy partners. Their physical comfort, soundness and emotional wellbeing directly impact the quality of movement and therapeutic input each child receives.

Taffy has recently had some dental work, so he’s enjoying a little time out of work to rest and recover properly. Regular dental care is essential — ensuring comfort in the mouth, freedom through the jaw, and relaxed, rhythmical movement through the whole body. A comfortable pony = better quality movement = better therapy outcomes.

We always prioritise our ponies’ health, whether that’s dental checks, physio, saddle fitting, farriery, or simply downtime in the field. A happy, comfortable pony makes all the difference 💛

✨ Spaces available
📩 Please contact me if you’d like more information about sessions at Hope Hippotherapy

20/02/2026

✨ Who’s in the Hippotherapy Team? ✨

At Hope Hippotherapy, every session is supported by a carefully coordinated team — because therapy on horseback is always a team effort.

🐴 The Pony
Our most important co-therapist! The pony’s unique 3-dimensional movement provides carefully graded sensory and physical input to help improve balance, posture, core strength and coordination.

🧠 The Hippotherapist
A qualified physiotherapist (that’s me!) who uses the pony’s movement as a treatment tool. I assess, plan and adapt each session to meet your child’s individual physical, sensory and functional goals.

👣 The Leader
The leader is responsible for the pony — maintaining rhythm, direction and pace. The quality of the walk directly affects the therapeutic outcome, so this role is key.

🤝 The Side Walker(s)
Side walkers ensure safety and provide physical support when needed.
Depending on the rider, support may be given at:
• The ankle – to help guide leg position and alignment
• The thigh – to assist with stability and pelvic control

Support is always the minimum needed to allow independence while keeping your child safe and confident.

💚 You don’t need to be “horsey” to benefit from hippotherapy. You just need the right team around you.

Spaces available.
📩 Message to find out more about sessions at Hope Hippotherapy.

18/02/2026

Another reason you don’t need to be horsey…
You don’t have to wade through mud either 😉

At Hope Hippotherapy, sessions take place in a safe, structured environment. Children benefit from the therapeutic movement of the pony without the need for grooming, tacking up or getting muddy. The focus is on posture, balance, coordination and regulation — not stable management!

No wellies required.
No mud involved in Hippotherapy… apart from the bit that can’t be removed from the pony 🐴

✨ Spaces currently available.
Please enquire to find out more about how Hippotherapy could support your child.

Happy Chinese New Year from H.O.P.E Hippotherapy 🧧🐴✨Welcome to the Year of the Horse – a symbol of strength, endurance, ...
17/02/2026

Happy Chinese New Year from H.O.P.E Hippotherapy 🧧🐴✨

Welcome to the Year of the Horse – a symbol of strength, endurance, freedom and positive energy. The horse represents resilience, forward movement and determination… values we see every day in our amazing children during their Hippotherapy sessions.

Through the movement of the horse, we build strength, confidence and independence – one stride at a time.

Wishing all our families a year full of progress, joy and new achievements.

Love from Taffy and the H.O.P.E team ❤️
Spaces available – please get in touch to find out more.
Hippotherapy

16/02/2026

🌟 Why do we “play” on the back of a pony during Hippotherapy? 🌟

It might look like fun and games – and it absolutely is! – but every activity we do on the pony has a therapeutic purpose.

When a child plays while riding, they are:
🐴 Improving balance and core strength
🐴 Developing coordination and body awareness
🐴 Encouraging postural control
🐴 Working on communication and confidence
🐴 Strengthening sensory processing
🐴 Practising motor planning – all without even realising it!

The gentle, rhythmic movement of the pony provides a dynamic therapy surface that can’t be recreated in a clinic. By adding playful activities like reaching, throwing, turning, or lying in different positions, we can target specific physical and sensory goals in a motivating and child-friendly way.

So yes – we play, we laugh, we sing… and at the same time, incredible therapy is happening 💙

If you’d like to find out whether Hippotherapy could benefit your child, I’d love to hear from you.

📞 Helen Forbes – HOPE Hippotherapy
📱 07738 513766
📧 hopehippotherapykids@gmail.com
🌐 Facebook:

Get in touch for more information or to discuss availability! 🇬🇧

15/02/2026

“Why don’t children wear riding hats in hippotherapy?”

This is one of the questions I get asked most often!

In hippotherapy, your child isn’t learning to ride – the horse is used as a therapy tool. Sessions are led by a qualified therapist and look very different from traditional riding lessons.

Children may be positioned lying on their tummy, on their back, side sitting, kneeling or sitting in many different therapeutic positions. A riding helmet is designed for upright riders, and in these therapy positions it can actually:

• get in the way of safe handling
• restrict movement
• interfere with head and neck support
• reduce the effectiveness of the therapy

During every session your child is fully supported by trained professionals – a therapist, side-walkers and a horse handler – working at a controlled walk on a carefully chosen therapy pony. Safety is managed through close hands-on support and specialist training, not through riding equipment.

For some children or situations a hat may be appropriate, but often it simply isn’t the safest or most therapeutic option.

If you’ve ever wondered about this, I hope that helps explain why sessions look the way they do!

As always, I’m happy to answer any questions 💙🐴

Please contact via hopehippotherapykids@gmail.com
🌟 spaces available now 🌟

Just over a year since this beautiful soul grew his wings 🤍Alfie – forever loved, forever missed.It takes a truly specia...
14/02/2026

Just over a year since this beautiful soul grew his wings 🤍

Alfie – forever loved, forever missed.

It takes a truly special pony to be a hippotherapy pony. To stand quietly when little hands are unsure. To walk patiently while bodies learn to balance. To give warmth, rhythm and trust without asking for anything in return.

Alfie had all of that and more. He changed lives in ways that are hard to put into words – building strength, confidence and connection with every step he took.

Grateful for every moment we had with you. Your hoofprints are still felt in every session. 🐴✨

Because everyone else is, so why not 😍 we are welcoming new clients. Let me know if you would like more details. ...
14/02/2026

Because everyone else is, so why not 😍 we are welcoming new clients. Let me know if you would like more details.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Hope Hippotherapy ❤️Sending lots of love from Taffy and the whole team today! 🐴At Hope Hippot...
14/02/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day from Hope Hippotherapy ❤️

Sending lots of love from Taffy and the whole team today! 🐴

At Hope Hippotherapy, we see every day how powerful connection can be – between child and pony, movement and body, trust and confidence. It truly is therapy from the heart.

We currently have spaces available.
If you’d like to find out more about how Hippotherapy could support your child, please get in touch.

Helen
Hope Hippotherapy 💕

It was so lovely to meet a fellow equine enthusiast on Monday! 🐴I had a great chat with Jordan Thompson, who runs and i...
13/02/2026

It was so lovely to meet a fellow equine enthusiast on Monday! 🐴
I had a great chat with Jordan Thompson, who runs and is now branching out into equine therapy.

Although our businesses are very different, they share something truly special – the incredible healing benefits of horses. In Jordan’s sessions, her clients’ feet will be firmly on the ground, but that doesn’t take away from the powerful impact time with horses can have on a child.

There are so many wonderful ways these amazing animals can support confidence, emotional wellbeing and development. It’s exciting to connect with others who share the same passion and vision.

At Hope Hippotherapy, we currently have session availability for new clients and are always happy to chat with families, schools or professionals who would like to find out more.

📞 Contact: 07738 513766
📧 Email: hopehippotherapykids@gmail.com

📘 Facebook/Instagram:

Here’s to collaboration, community, and the magic of horses! 💛

12/02/2026

What is the yard like? Here’s your tour!
We have four stables, spacious fields, and a sand-and-rubber arena complete with a mounting ramp. This is where most of my clients begin their sessions. You’ll also see the driveway leading back up to the gate where you arrive.

At HOPE Hippotherapy, everything is set up to be welcoming, accessible, and supportive for every child and family.

Come and see for yourself – visits are always welcome.
To book, contact Helen at HOPE Hippotherapy. 🇬🇧

Testimonials that make my heart happy 💫Seeing the impact Hippotherapy has on children and families is why I love what I ...
10/02/2026

Testimonials that make my heart happy 💫
Seeing the impact Hippotherapy has on children and families is why I love what I do.
Have a look at the comments on my page – they really do speak for themselves.
Hippotherapy is just the best 🐴

Address

Basingstoke
RG252AF

Opening Hours

11:30am - 1:30pm

Telephone

+447738513766

Website

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