Ponies Help Children was founded in 2015 by Moira Ireland and Heather Stephens. Our mission is to rescue ponies and offer transformative care to children and young people. Our goal is to improve the mental health and well-being of children across Central Scotland by nurturing connections between them and our rescued ponies.

Since we started, we have helped rescue around 30 ponies and facilitate sessions for between 70 and 80 clients each block, reaching around 300 clients each year. Children who visit Ponies Help Children engage in hands-on, close contact with the ponies, developing a special bond. Each child participates in a 7-week block of 1-hour sessions, tailored to their needs. These sessions involve grooming, lead work, and meaningful interactions that help foster trust, emotional connection, and life skills.

We match each child with a pony who has also faced adversity, creating a shared foundation for growth and healing. This powerful bond supports the development of emotional resilience. trust, and social inclusion, all while promoting mental and physical well-being.