Summerfield Stables – Horses in the Community is a registered charity that was established in 1970. Located at the end of Brookwood Avenue in Hall Green, Birmingham, Summerfield Stables aims to encourage children and young people in the Yardley Wood area to interact with and understand horses. This community group caters to young people ranging from the age of three upwards, coming from areas such as Yardley Wood, Hall Green, Balsall Heath, Kings Heath, and Billesley. The stables strive for inclusivity, welcoming children with both mental and physical disabilities and working with those who face challenges in mainstream education.
The primary objective of Summerfield Stables is to increase the confidence and improve the practical skills of children and young people through interaction with horses. Working with horses allows them to learn valuable lessons in following instructions and practising teamwork. The stables also provide opportunities for the young people to develop leadership skills by assisting others and organising activities for younger age groups. Summerfield Stables firmly believes that a lack of financial resources should not hinder anyone from accessing horses, as some charities and schools sponsor children to attend.
Emphasising the importance of horses as companion animals and lifelong friends, Summerfield Stables frequently rescues horses, leading to a significant focus on re-schooling. Nonetheless, many of the horses enjoy participating in local shows regularly, allowing the young people to experience what it is like to own their own ponies while learning to share and help others. The stables actively promote the idea that horses should not be viewed as machines or short-term commodities.
At Summerfield Stables, the horses are valued for their unique qualities, recognising that individuals, both horses and humans, have different needs and abilities. The stables prioritise the well-being and happiness of their horses, ensuring that they are cared for, and their best interests are met. Volunteers and riders actively contribute to the training of the horses, participating in groundwork activities as well as ridden schooling exercises. The stables house horses at various stages of training: from those that have recently been broken in to those suitable for beginners, and even horses used for BHS stage 2 and 3 training.
For the latest updates and information, please visit Summerfield Stables' Facebook page.