Lake District Calvert Trust
Calvert Stables, part of the Lake District Calvert Trust, Cumbria provides accessible education for young people. The stables are Riding for the Disabled (RDA) accredited, and activities are adapted for people with a range of different abilities.
People can learn practical horse care in an inclusive and supportive environment. Participants can groom and plait ponies, learn about feeding routines, put on tack and understand how to look after a horse before and after riding. Their horse-care education also covers important areas such as equine behaviour, health, nutrition, anatomy, first aid, hoof care, teeth and worming.
More about Calvert Stables, Lake District Calvert Trust
Calvert Stables supports young people with a variety of additional needs. Instead of relying on classroom-based learning, students can develop practical skills through activities such as grooming, horse care, riding and working safely around animals. These activities can help build confidence, responsibility, communication, independence and teamwork while giving young people opportunities to work towards recognised achievements.
They also place strong emphasis on animal welfare and are BHS approved: horses are carefully selected for calm temperaments, matched to activities and participants, and their physical and emotional well-being is regularly monitored.
Where are they based?
Based at:
Old Windebrowe,
Keswick,
CA12 4NT
You can call on: 01768 772250
Or email: stables@calvertlakes.org.uk
Available courses
Calvert Stables currently offer Horse Care Level 1 and Level 2.
The guides below contain more information on these courses.
There is a lot of information, so if you would prefer to speak to someone about these courses on the phone, please call us on 01672 519977.
We would love to hear from people interested in taking these courses, their families or from local authorities looking to support them.
Level 1 Work-Based Horse Care
Guidance on the course, and what it involves.
Level 2 Work-Based Horse Care
Guidance on the course, and what it involves.
" We’re excited to begin with Haddon Training for our alternative education programme. Their training will help our staff develop practical skills to better support young people outside of traditional classroom settings. The guidance from the Haddon team will help us to create a more engaging and supportive environment for our learners. "
After the course
People who take a course will learn new skills and get a qualification.
They can choose to do another course, or look for a job doing what they have learnt.
Alternative Provision - Questions and Answers
The length of the course depends on the person taking it, their needs and what course they are interested in.
Some courses can also have different things to learn at different levels too.
If you are unsure if your local authority will pay, please get in touch and we can help to guide you, alongside the companies we work with to give the training.
These courses are made for those who found school hard. The learning is done is small pieces and is made for you to understand. You will have support from experienced people who know how to help you and want you to succeed. Everything about the course is made for you so that you can get experience doing something you enjoy.
Animals including horses have been proven to increase levels of happiness and well-being. Being around animals and learning to take care of them enables people to develop skills of empathy and understanding.