Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner, and someone saw my grin,
When he smiled I realised, I’d passed it onto him.
I thought about that smile, then I realised its worth,
A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the Earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected,
Let’s start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!
We’re a Sheffield based non-profit Community Interest Company providing Pony Therapy Sessions to the local area.
Our work embodies the poem above - spreading smiles!
A local nursing home brought some of their residents down to Lightwood Farm to see our two Shetland ponies, Ratty and Toby. They enjoyed their visit so much, they asked if we could take the ponies to them. However, at the time, Ratty and Toby were very elderly, and couldn’t travel.
So, in November 2014, we rescued some younger, more spritely little ponies who became the Smile Pony Therapies team. Scroll down to meet them!
Sadly, Ratty and Toby are no longer with us but their spirit lives on within the Smile team.
Ratty & Toby
Best friends, and the first Shetlands to be part of the Smile Pony Therapies team. These boys were very adventurous, and used to take themselves on little trips around the farm, hunting out the best grassy spots for munching! Ratty lived until a grand old age of 39, and Toby until 34.
reduce stress and anxiety
provide a tangible connection to animals and nature
improve wellbeing and develop enthusiasm
encourage communication
“the best therapy we give is a smile”
Each pony therapy session is tailored to the needs of the specific location or individual. We can either bring ponies to you, or you can come to us. Our facilities include, an indoor area for sessions with the ponies, seating, and wheelchair and vehicular access into the indoor area. If you decide for the ponies to come to you, they wear special poo-bags so as not to make a mess, and also have their own socks! They’re also experienced with indoor spaces, and can even go in lifts!
I am a BHSII registered instructor and have been teaching, riding, competing and farming all of my working life. I enjoy helping people to improve not only their riding but their bond and communication with the horse. I’m also enjoying seeing the smiles our therapy ponies bring when visiting the care homes and hospitals, and look forward to seeing our venture grow to help more people in the community
I’m an Accredited Member of the National Council of Psychotherapists and am experienced in providing Equine Assisted; coaching, counselling, learning and psychotherapy. I have been a practicing Psychotherapist for many years and came to Equine Assisted Therapy while researching the effect that horses have on our psyche. I am thoroughly enjoying seeing the benefits the Smile ponies are bringing to our clients.
I come from a farming family and was on ponies before I could walk. I was a member of the local pony club branch up to the age of 17 and loved every minute of it. Then I was a school governor for a number of years, working with children and adults, as well as being heavily involved with fundraising activities. I trained with Intelligent Horsemanship learning about horse behaviour, psychology and effective training methods and am a fully qualified horse behaviouralist and on the side I run KW equine.
All members of our pony team were rescued by Millhouses Animal Sanctuary in Sheffield. They had varying starts in life, but since joining the Smile team, we’ve helped them and in return they help us help other people!
Arguably the star of the show, Leo has a unique way of connecting to humans. Much like having a sixth sense, it’s like he speaks our language. He’s one of the smallest of the team, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in character… and huge amounts of hair!
Fun fact about Leo: he’s the leader of the herd
Favourite thing to do: be a unicorn!
Huggable Harry loves people, and alongside Leo, is one of our key team members for going out and about visiting care homes and hospitals. Although he’s quite small, he makes a big impact on the people he meets and is always up for an adventure!
Fun fact about Harry: despite being one of the newest team members, he’s one of the calmest
Favourite thing to do: enjoy hugs!
Lovable Larry is our smallest pony, and is quite timid. However, once you’re his friend, you’re his friend for life! He can also be quite a cheeky monkey, and has lots of character once you get to know him!
Fun fact about Larry: he has 2 different coloured eyes!
Favourite thing to do: fit into very small spaces and crawl under fences!
Little Toffee is very shy and quite the little tinker with the other ponies! He doesn’t go out to care homes and hospitals yet because he’s still quite nervous. However, he is learning and is getting much more used to being around people.
Fun fact about Toffee: he has an underbite, which means his bottom teeth sit in front of his top teeth. Don’t worry though, he still manages to eat plenty!
Favourite thing to do: eat!
Quite a mischief maker, and a lover of adventures with Dan… which usually involve leaving the field they’re meant to be in. Ruddles is also our main driving pony - he loves being in the cart, and is a very sensible boy!
Fun fact about Ruddles: he’s the oldest of the team
Favourite thing to do: run round the field as fast as possible!
The tallest of the team and the king of mischief, Dan regularly breaks out of fields and takes the rest of the team on adventures! When he’s not doing that though, he’s being a good boy and teaching children to ride.
Fun fact about Dan: no matter how secure the fencing, he knows the way out!
Favourite thing to do: teaching children!
people with disabilities
people with illnesses or injuries
young people
elderly people
EVERYONE
These wonderful ponies enjoy human presence and interaction, and pony therapy sessions can bring a wide range of physical and emotional benefits to everyone.
Before we come to a new location, we need to check the suitability and safety of the location and make sure pony therapy is suitable for the individuals getting involved. We also remain aware and alert during visits and activities, monitoring the ponies and how they’re behaving, and ensuring the environment remains calm and safe.
Clear communication between location staff and our team is essential to maintain a safe and happy environment for all.
Pricing starts at £60 for one pony, £100 for two ponies, for a one hour visit.
If the ponies come to you, travel costs extra. Please contact Lynn for a quote.
To book a session, please call Lynn on: 07883 935731
You can also use the contact form here
