A CHARITY near Ilminster which uses horses to provide therapy for children has enjoyed a bloom in success and support following two recent events.

Horseshoes and Handprints, based at Manor Farm in Stocklinch, has welcomes a group of Inner Wheel members and enjoyed a successful open day so far this month.

Ladies from the Inner Wheel club of Crewkerne visited the farm at the start of the month having supported the charity in the past and saw first hand the work that is being done.

A spokesman for the Inner Wheel club said: “The charity provides a sensory therapy through close contact with horses. Outstanding results are achieved using fun and activities to effectively encourage and motivate children.

“The original aim of the charity was directed towards children dealing with the spectrum of autistic disorders and this is an area where impressive results are obtained. However, it has been found that what they do also helps many other neurological, behavioural and emotional conditions.

“The charity staff undertake this work because they love it. To hear the laughter and see the smiling happy faces of children who have rarely smiled, communicated or laughed before is a real joy.

“A wonderful and enjoyable afternoon was spent watching the work done by the staff of this extraordinary charity.”

A trustee of the animal charity added: “Horseshoes and Handprints are delighted with the continued support they have received from The Inner Wheel Club of Crewkerne members of which are knitting and donating these wonderful boot toppers for us to sell.”

Desi Fradgeley, who is a president of Inner Wheel Crewkerne and a trustee of Horseshoes and Handprints, said: "This was a great success, especially for Muriel Haddon who used to help with the RDA and who has been feeling the lack of horse contact.

"She was so thrilled to be able handle ponies again and gave the staff many useful tips. There is nothing like the ‘feel and smell of a pony’, whatever age one is.

"Following the visit from the members of the Inner Wheel Club of Crewkerne the trustees and staff were delighted to be joined a week later by another group including the Mayor of Ilminster, Val Keitch, Somerset County Cllr. Derek Yeomans, representatives from The Gooch Charitable Trust, Hospice SW, SPARK, the Rotary Clubs of Crewkerne, Crewkerne District, Chard, Yeovil and Yeovale along with many other supporters.

"A warm welcome was given by the chairman of trustees, Roger Johnson, who went on to thank everyone for their support and to let him know if they knew of anyone who may like to become a voluntary Trustee for the Charity.

"The visitors were then given a short rundown of the progress over the past couple of years and where the charity was heading in the future.

"This was followed by a demonstration of how the horses are trained to work with the children, a walk around to visit the horses and ponies and a very welcome cup of tea.

"There have been some wonderful comments received by Horseshoes and Handprints since then one of which came from Nigel Young, a past president of the Yeovale Rotary Club, who said 'it was truly educational to get a better appreciation of the work you are doing and meet your wonderful staff, and horses. You have a great deal to be proud of and the Community that you serve are truly indebted for the concept behind this enterprise, the tremendous work that you and your colleagues have put in to drive this facility to such a successful operation. We both came away both inspired and humbled by what you are doing'.”

The open day was held at Stocklinch Village Hall and featured a presentation and a demonstration. For more information, visit horseshoesandhandprints.org.