Dementia residents revive treasured horse memories in Alton therapy session
Four residents from St Catherines View care home in Winchester rekindled equestrian bonds during a structured equine therapy day at Broadlands Equine Therapy & RDA near Alton. The session, part of a tailored wellbeing program, prompted vivid recollections and laughter as residents groomed Shetland ponies and watched riding demonstrations over tea and cake.
Four dementia residents from Colten Care’s St Catherines View in Winchester spent yesterday afternoon brushing Shetland ponies, sharing stories and laughing under the guidance of Broadlands Equine Therapy & RDA staff near Alton. The outing marked the first formal equine therapy session for Mary, Helen, Lynda and Zozzy under the centre’s ‘Tea with a Pony’ wellbeing program, designed for gentle, supervised interaction with calm ponies.
The session began with residents being introduced to Teddy and two Shetland ponies, where they spent 40 minutes grooming, leading and simply standing alongside the animals. Mary, who once owned a chestnut mare named Sheba, was seen laughing as she explained to staff how much she missed the weight of a saddle. Helen, who volunteered at stables decades ago, immediately recognised the scent of leather and hay and began recounting stories of teaching children with disabilities to ride.
| Resident | Equestrian Background | Moment During Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Mary | Owned a mare named Sheba | Joked she might be mistaken for a horse after becoming covered in hair |
| Helen | Volunteered at a riding stables | Recalled teaching children with disabilities to ride |
| Lynda | Owned two horses, Paddy and Danny | Received a kiss from Teddy the horse |
| Zozzy | No prior experience mentioned | Smiled quietly while watching the riding demonstration |
Lynda, who once bred Irish cobs, spent extra time with Teddy and later told staff she felt a surge of confidence she hadn’t felt in years. Evie Airs, companionship team member at St Catherines View, said the visit exceeded expectations. “We knew the connection with horses would spark memories, but we didn’t anticipate the depth of emotion it would unlock,” Airs said. “Mary spoke about Sheba as if she were standing right there. Helen’s eyes lit up when she walked into the yard.”
Key Points
- ✅ Four residents with deep horse-related memories participated in structured equine therapy
- ⚡ Session included grooming, leading and a riding demonstration with tea and cake
- 💡 Program aims to reduce agitation and improve mood in dementia patients
Broadlands Equine Therapy & RDA, a registered charity near Alton, has hosted similar sessions for veterans and children with disabilities but this was the first tailored for dementia care residents. Centre manager Sarah Whitmore said the pilot program aligns with growing evidence that equine-assisted therapy can reduce agitation, improve mood and stimulate cognitive recall in dementia patients. “The physical act of grooming releases oxytocin and lowers cortisol,” Whitmore said. “But the real magic is in the connection. Horses don’t judge, they respond to presence, not performance.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 4 — Number of St Catherines View residents who attended the pilot session
- 40 — Minutes spent grooming and interacting with ponies
- 2 — Shetland ponies and one therapy horse involved in the session
- 11 — Months since Colten Care launched its dementia wellbeing program
Staff at St Catherines View are now reviewing whether to make the outings a monthly fixture, dependent on funding and resident interest. Meanwhile, Broadlands has received inquiries from three other care homes interested in replicating the model. Whitmore said the centre is exploring a train-the-trainer program to replicate the model across southern England. Evie Airs confirmed the residents arrived back at the care home relaxed and talkative, a stark contrast to their usual afternoon demeanor. “One resident who rarely speaks joined in conversation for over 20 minutes,” Airs said. “That’s worth every penny of transport and coordination.”
💡 Pro Tip
For care homes considering equine therapy, start with a quiet, familiar horse and allow residents to set the pace—forced interaction can cause distress. Always have a backup calm handler present and keep sessions under 45 minutes to avoid overstimulation.
Colten Care, which operates 14 care homes across southern England, plans to expand the dementia wellbeing program to include music therapy and sensory gardens later this year. The initiative is part of a £1.2 million investment in dementia-specific activities announced in January.