Keyham Lodge has two ponies, Fly and Tarka, who live out their retirement, being pampered and fussed by our students as well as providing an opportunity for learning. We are based in a small private and secure livery yard in Leicestershire. An advantage of being there is that the students meet with the other horse owners, see what they do and ask questions. They are always keen to help too with any tasks and broaden their experience. Some of our students may have quite hectic lives. By being with Fly and Tarka, they learn how to be calm, to consider their own body language, as that is, after all, how horses communicate with each other.

Through grooming and caring for them, it gives them the opportunity to relax and they can succeed in something that they would not normally have experienced. Some of our year 10 & 11 students are on an equestrian pathway and are working towards gaining the BHS stage 1 qualification. We can look at the Care part of the qualification with Fly and Tarka and work through it in both a practical and academic manner. For the riding section of the qualification, they attend lessons at a local riding school and are coming on really well. One of our ex-students completed work experience at a very big and busy riding centre. She left that week with a glowing report from all staff that they would happily employ her in the future. We believe strongly that by helping our students to get these qualifications and giving them such opportunities, they have a great chance to gain employment or enrol in college courses when they leave us.

We currently have another student who is working at a very well-respected yard every week, gaining valuable insights into not only how to look after a horse but what it is, to contribute to the world of work. Being punctual, talking to all sorts of people and having the opportunity to hack out in some of Leicestershires most beautiful countryside.

 

Learning how to ride at a local riding school. They start by, obviously, learning the basics, walking and finding the rhythm of a rising trot. They then move into cantering. By the end of the term, we encourage our students to compete in a dressage test.
Some of our students show a passion for riding, and they are kept on for another year. This is where we encourage self-reflection of their riding. What am I doing? How can I improve? What can I do better next week? We also look to move on to show jumping, which they absolutely love.

 

Past Trips have been…

Students were involved in recognising the contribution made by horses during WW2, and were mentioned by a local charity.  Please click on the link below to learn more about an amazing local horse, Songster, who survived the war.

https://thewarhorsememorial.org/news/keyham/

We go to local feed merchants, look at the million and one different sorts of horse feed out there. Learn about equine nutrition.

We have gone out to watch high level competitions and both Solihull RC and Pickering Grange. Seeing riders compete over some mind-blowing jumps. We also have got to walk the courses and stand next to jumps that are taler than the students!

We have been out to see how horse boxes are made. Horses can’t just hail an Uber or pop on a bus. They travel to places on trainers or horse boxes (Lorries). Some boxes have very luxurious living quarters for not only the riders but the horses too. With showers for horses and riders. The students see the partitions for the horses that keep them secure whilst they travel about.

We have visited Cross Country courses and seen all manner of imposing jumps, ditches and hedges that the horses can tackle. Some are designed to frighten the rider more than the horses.

We visited Chine House veterinary hospital. Chine house is one of the largest and most well-respected Equine Vets in the Midlands. The students learned about the huge number of people who worked there, not just vets, but nurses and all the other support roles, essential to creating a well-run service.

A routine annual visit from the horse dentist! Did you know horses need to visit the dentist too!

 

  

A student completing Pony club awards.

 

Walking a course at Solihull.

 

We also take part in exercises where students and staff work together.  Here the member of staff is in front and is blindfolded.  She is being directed around by the students. This exercise helps students build up trust with staff, and also allows students to imagine what it might be like to be a horse.  It helps with communication, understanding and building relationships with our students.