At Fortune College, we see first-hand the incredible impact that horses have on our students every day. They teach lessons that go far beyond the stables—lessons about patience, confidence, responsibility, and trust. Through their time with horses, our students gain invaluable skills that help them navigate the wider world with greater independence and self-belief.
Whether it’s through a quiet moment of connection or the exhilaration of a canter down a country track, horses truly are some of the best teachers a student could ever have.
1. Horses Teach Patience and Emotional Regulation
Horses respond to the emotions and energy of those around them. If a student approaches them with frustration or impatience, the horse will react accordingly—often by becoming hesitant or resistant. This instant feedback helps students learn to regulate their emotions, remain calm, and approach situations with patience. Over time, these skills transfer to other areas of their lives, helping them manage everyday challenges more effectively.
2. They Encourage Responsibility and Routine
Caring for a horse requires commitment and consistency. Students at Fortune College learn that feeding, grooming, and mucking out are daily responsibilities that cannot be skipped. This structure helps install a sense of responsibility and pride in their work. It is also transferable into their own lives where they learn that it is equally as important to take care of themselves and their environment. Many students who struggle with traditional learning thrive in this hands-on, practical environment.
3. Horses Improve Communication Skills
Horses don’t respond to words alone—they react to body language, tone, and intent. To work effectively with a horse, students must learn to communicate clearly and confidently, whether through voice commands, posture, or gentle cues. For students who may struggle with verbal communication, this can be an empowering experience, helping them develop new ways to express themselves.
4. They Boost Confidence and Self-Esteem
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of guiding a 500kg animal successfully through an exercise or out on a ride. Every small achievement—whether mounting a horse for the first time, mastering a new skill, or leading a horse across a field—builds a student’s confidence. These moments reinforce their abilities and encourage them to tackle other challenges with the same determination.
5. Horses Provide a Non-Judgmental Learning Environment
Unlike people, horses don’t judge. They don’t care about a person’s background, abilities, or struggles—they respond only to how they are treated in the moment. For students who may have faced challenges in traditional educational settings, this can be incredibly freeing. Working with horses offers them a safe space to learn, make mistakes, and grow without fear of criticism. Often students find the horses are a safe pair of ears that they can talk to and share their thoughts without fear of them being repeated.
6. They Encourage Mindfulness and Focus
Horses live in the present moment. They aren’t worried about what happened yesterday or what’s coming tomorrow—they respond to what’s happening right now. This presence encourages students to be fully engaged in the task at hand, whether it’s grooming, leading, or riding. For those who struggle with focus or anxiety, working with horses can be a grounding and calming experience.
7. Riding and Handling Horses Teaches Problem-Solving
Every horse is different, and no two rides are ever the same. Students must learn to adapt, think on their feet, and problem-solve when things don’t go as expected. Whether it’s figuring out why a horse won’t move forward or adjusting their riding technique to better communicate with their mount, these obstacles help develop resilience and critical thinking skills. It also teaches students that plans can be disrupted and changed which for some students can be a real challenge.
8.Maths and English
Students at Fortune College learn maths and English Functional Skills or GCSEs. Much of their learning is taught through the horses alongside classroom-based learning. Staff can encourage reading and maths skills through the practical care of the horses. Measuring out feeds, and reading signs and instructions for example encourages students to learn in a practical real-world way.
Conclusion
We could not do the incredible work we do without our horses. The benefits to the students are clear and the results speak for themselves. Students gain an education, life skills and confidence which leads to greater independence and often meaningful work.
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