Chairman reveals plans for Horse Power expansion - Sep 09

Greatwood is a charity that cares for neglected and ill treated racehorses. Children with special needs prosper around these horses in a unique education programme called Horse Power.

Michael Yeadon made the announcement when welcoming Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal,  to Greatwood Caring For Retired Racehorses and Children With Special Needs.

The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque in honour of the £33,000 grant received from The Wooden Spoon charity which enabled the development of the cloakroom, washing facilities and a quiet room at Greatwood. These areas will be used by the children with special needs undertaking the Horse Power programme of learning life skills and emotional literacy, through interaction with rescued former racehorses.

Mr Yeadon went on to explain that Horse Power is about to be offered to Independent schools throughout the country, to work with special needs schools in their communities as part of their charitable status.

"If over the next few years half of the schools were to take part, it would be possible for over 150,000 children to benefit from the programme and the Open College Network awards associated with it every year.

"Not least, those of our horses which are not sound enough to be ridden but which have a good quality of life can be offered homes for life in proximity to participating schools. This could provide a role for hundreds of former racehorses that cannot be ridden," said Mr Yeadon.

Millfield, one of the leading independent schools, has already successfully taken up the Horse Power programme and is currently working with children with special needs from schools in its community.

On arrival at Greatwood, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, was officially introduced to Michael and Helen Yeadon, founders of the Greatwood charity, before meeting some of the horses at Greatwood, children undertaking the Horse Power programme and the talented staff and dedicated Trustees and Patrons. Her Royal Highness then visited 'The Wooden Spoon Unsaddling Enclosure' before unveiling the plaque in-front of 140 guests to declare the facilities officially open. As Her Royal Highness left, Transpique, a retired racehorse at Greatwood took center stage and bowed farewell to The Princess Royal ending an enjoyable and memorable day at Greatwood.

Helen Yeadon, founder of Greatwood, said: "We were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to Greatwood and are thrilled that Her Royal Highness officially opened the 'The Wooden Spoon Unsaddling Enclosure'. Greatwood is a leading pioneer in racehorse welfare and unique in its work with special needs children.  The Wooden Spoon charity aims to enhance the quality and prospect of life for disadvantaged children and young people.  It is therefore particularly fitting that The Princess Royal, as President of World Horse Welfare, and Royal Patron of The Wooden Spoon charity honoured us with her presence on this special occasion.''

 Shortly before Her Royal Highness's visit, five time Champion jockey and racing commentator, Willie Carson presented certificates to 22 children with special needs.  These children have successfully completed an Open College Network accredited course that was written and developed by Greatwood's Head of Special Needs, Laura Jones, and is the first of its kind in the UK.  This "Developing confidence through working with animals" course is run as part of Greatwood's Horse Power programme.  Horse Power is a unique learning programme for children with special needs including autism and Down's syndrome.  The children prosper around Greatwood's horses, learning life skills that are vital to their development. 

Michael Yeadon, Founder of Greatwood Charity, said: "Soon after the charity was founded the idea of Horse Power began to take shape. We were asked to help a little girl who was so withdrawn that she had stopped speaking. We introduced her to a racehorse we had rescued which was also in a poor way.  Over the following few weeks we witnessed the most extraordinary transformation in this child. As she reacted with the rescued racehorse, her confidence built up and soon she was chattering gaily and the recovering horse would whicker at the sound of her voice."