Here at Happy Hooves, we have a wide range of animals. This means we can offer a wide range of different animal-based activities and can usually find at least one animal that visitors can form a happy relationship with.
Happy Hooves was set up in 2015 by Louise Johnson and has been growing rapidly since, inspired by her experiences working with young people who were struggling. She found that spending time with her horses had a positive impact on their wellbeing. With support of her boss, Stephen Bunney, Louise was able to complete training in equine-assisted learning. This enabled her to set up Happy Hooves along side her full time job. In 2017, as Happy Hooves grew, Louise gave up her job to focus on this project full time out of her house. Initially, Happy Hooves focused on activities with horses, but slowly expanded to include other animals to cater to a wider range of needs and preferences. In 2021, Happy Hooves moved to the Old Dairy Barn in Bleasby Moor. This allowed Happy Hooves to become far more accessible with better facilities like its own car park and better access for physical disabilities and wheelchair users.
Over the years, we have funded Happy hooves in many ways. This has included sponsored activities, donations from individual’s and organisation (such as The Masons, The Lions and countless others). Fundraising events such as our Summer and Christmas fayres and have also been a huge part of our funding. We have also been lucky enough to receive various grants for different projects over the years. Our biggest contributors being Shine, WLDC and National Lottery.
We offer many activities, from groups sessions, 1:1 or visits. Find out more on our activities page…
Happy Hooves is fully insured, licensed and always have a first aider on site.