Tucked away on a peaceful farm in Gildersome, Equine Pathways UK is a unique and quietly transformative place. For over a decade, this small charity has been offering something rare: a safe, welcoming space where people of all ages – especially children – can experience the deeply therapeutic magic of connecting with horses.
Where Compassion Meets Calm
At Carr Hall Farm, around ten gentle rescue ponies live and work as therapy animals. These ponies aren’t just pets – they are trusted companions in healing. Visitors come for many reasons: to cope with anxiety or depression, manage autism or ADHD, improve coordination after injury, or simply to feel seen and supported. In every case, it’s the horses that do the heavy lifting – quietly, instinctively, and without judgment.
Many parents have described what happens when their child first meets one of the ponies as nothing short of magical. Children who find it difficult to focus, speak, or remain calm in most environments often display an immediate change – relaxing their shoulders, smiling, reaching out. “It’s like flicking a switch,” one parent said. “The moment their hand touches the pony, the world softens.” That instinctive calm, grounded in the rhythm of a pony’s breath or the gentle blink of its eye, opens the door to trust, growth, and healing.
Tailored Support for Unique Needs
Equine Pathways is not a one-size-fits-all service. Each person’s journey is different, and the team carefully adapts their sessions to fit that journey. Whether it’s helping a young person build confidence, supporting someone with PTSD, or working on balance and coordination after a stroke, the sessions are designed to meet people where they are – literally and emotionally.
Therapy might involve grooming, leading, or simply sitting with a pony in a quiet paddock. For some, just being around the animals is enough to bring about a sense of safety and calm. No pressure, no clinical setting – just the open air and the quiet companionship of a pony.
Many people in Leeds and the surrounding area don’t realise that a place like this exists right here in Gildersome. Equine Pathways isn’t a riding school or large-scale centre – it’s a small, community-based organisation that makes a real difference in people’s lives. It’s built on empathy, run by a dedicated team of volunteers, and designed to be welcoming and accessible.
The farm is just minutes from the main road, but when you step through the gates, everything changes. The pace slows. There’s space to breathe, space to reflect – and space to reconnect, with yourself and with others.
Pony Parties and Shared Joy
In addition to therapy sessions, Equine Pathways also offers Pony Parties – a fun and inclusive way for children to celebrate birthdays or special events. These sessions allow children to groom, walk, and interact with the ponies. It’s a joyful introduction to the animals and a memory they’ll carry with them for years.
Just next to the ponies, families will also find Curious Farm Hq – a creative outdoor play space designed for children to explore nature, get muddy, and let their imaginations run wild. From messy play to mini-adventures, Curious Farm encourages free-range fun in a safe and stimulating environment. Sessions run Monday- Thursday in term time 9:30-11:00, with extra sessions in the school holidays.
Quiet Impact, Real Change
Equine therapy may not be as widely known as other forms of support, but its impact is often profound – especially for those who struggle with traditional environments or verbal communication. Horses offer something unique: they listen without interrupting, respond without judging, and sense feelings that words often fail to express.
At Carr Hall Farm, Equine Pathways UK continues to provide a calm, grounded space where people can rediscover confidence, joy, and peace. It’s a local place with a powerful purpose – where healing begins not with words, but with a gentle nudge from a soft nose and the quiet rhythm of hooves.
