HorseWorld opens new Learning Centre thanks to The Pets Foundation

HorseWorld is proud to announce the opening of our new multi-purpose Learning Centre, made possible by a generous £50,038 grant from The Pets Foundation. The Pets Foundation is a UK-registered charity that supports animal welfare organisations and rescue work across the country. Their support has enabled HorseWorld to transform a former storage and hay barn into a modern, all-weather space that is already delivering life-changing outcomes for horses, young people and the wider community.

The Learning Centre plays a vital role in HorseWorld’s Discovery programme, which supports disadvantaged and at-risk children through equine-assisted learning. Since opening, the facility has supported 241 children across Bristol, working alongside 20 Discovery ponies, 21 members of staff and five partner organisations.

The former barn has been fully transformed into a flexible, welcoming learning environment that can be used year-round. Improvements include a level concrete floor, equine-safe rubber matting, lighting and WiFi, wind-protective metal cladding, and a fenced demonstration and grooming area. A large white wall allows the space to be used for presentations, lessons and events, adapting easily to different needs.

The space has also opened up new teaching opportunities, including liberty work demonstrations that focus on consent and body language - particularly powerful for young people who have experienced trauma or disengagement from education.

Designed to be highly flexible, the Learning Centre can be reconfigured for conferences, training sessions and parent/carer workshops. Looking ahead, HorseWorld plans to use the space as a training and assessment centre for the Level 3 Diploma in Equine Assisted Services, helping to share best practice across the sector and extend the impact of the grant even further.

Alongside the Learning Centre, part of the grant funded grass-protection parking mats in a nearby paddock, creating 45 additional parking spaces. This has resolved a long-standing capacity issue and allows HorseWorld to make full use of the new facility.

When not used for parking, the paddock continues to support Discovery ponies year-round, helping protect compromised hooves during wet and muddy conditions while maintaining high welfare standards.

The Learning Centre and multi-purpose parking area are essential to HorseWorld’s continued growth, enabling us to support more disadvantaged children and families while enhancing the health and welfare of the horses at the heart of this work.

HorseWorld extends its heartfelt thanks to The Pets Foundation for their generosity and support, helping to create brighter futures for both horses and young people.