A fund-raising campaign is underway to prevent a repeat this winter and next spring on the muddy conditions which disrupted an equine therapy centre for challenged youngsters at Greengates Stables in Mays Lane, Barnet.

Such was the depth of the mud both inside and outside, that the centre had to cancel over 120 therapy sessions for vulnerable young people.

Last winter was the first in Mays Lane for the charity Strength and Learning Through Horses.

Staff found the ground around the centre could not cope with the prevailing wet winter conditions and the aim is to mud-proof the stables and much of the site.

Assistant yard manager Grace Williams is seen above outside the horses’ field shelter without the mud that encircled it last winter -- but where a stable ground surface is now needed to withstand the heavy rain and flooding that was seen last winter.

Grace (21), who started at the centre as an apprentice, said the horses really appreciate their field shelter – it keeps them dry and out of the rain in winter and provides welcome shade and cool in the summer.

Since moving to Mays Lane last year from its previous base in Edgwarebury Lane, the charity has made significant progress helping over 400 young people aged from six to 25 at over 700 therapy sessions.

The centre is holding its second annual open day at the stables on Saturday 14 September in partnership with Barnet Child and Family Early Help.

Entry is free – from 11am to 3pm – and there will be a therapeutic horse demonstration, information on wellbeing services, and free activities for children including arts and crafts, a bouncy castle, face painting and more.

The fund-raising appeal was launched to help winter proof the stables and to ensure staff don’t have to cancel much-needed therapy sessions.

For further details visit: https://strengthandlearningthroughhorses.org/get-winter-ready

Demand for therapy sessions is growing yearly and SLTH hope to help more young people than ever over the coming academic year.

The Mays Lane stables are the first purpose-built equine therapy centre in London and the charity offers what it believes is a unique approach to mental health and offers alternative educations programmes for young people.

Equine therapy draws on horses’ non-judgemental nature and natural ability to mirror human emotions.

SLTH says this has proved highly effective: up to 84 per cent of young people felt they had more confidence following the charity’s input and 79 per cent felt their communication skills had improved.

By mud-proofing the site, the centre aims to create suitable working conditions for the horses, young people and staff – and no more muddy conditions like last winter.

“Donations will help secure an additional all-weather therapy site, a shelter next to the arena, a dry area in the fields for the horses and warm boots and coats for the young clients,” said SLTH’s chief executive, Rosie Bensley.

“Our work has a significant impact on the young people we work with, easing anxiety and improving communication and teamwork skills, all essential for mental well-being.

“By winter proofing our stables we want to ensure that we don’t have to cancel the much-needed therapy sessions for young people who rely on our support.”