The EARTH Centre's mission is to Create HOPE through HORSES. We mostly assist people from disadvantaged backgrounds that live with a variety of physical and mental disabilities and/or emotional trauma. Our equine assisted programmes allow us to interact with the whole person - we strengthen the body, challenge the mind, and lift the spirit. We are devoted to keeping people focused on what they CAN do, rather than on what they cannot do. Besides teaching a new skill, the pony offers soothing physical warmth, and effectively becomes the legs of a child who is unable to walk. Similarly, the three-way movement closely mimics the hip motion of the human gait, thus soothing and stimulating as well as strengthening undeveloped muscles. Riding… - helps stretch tight or spastic muscles - improves gross and fine motor skills - improves balance and co-ordination - promotes independence and encourages decision making - develops self-discipline and improves self-image - encourages communication and social skills "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man" - Winston Churchill