TWENTY people whose lives have been transformed thanks to the healing powers of horses were celebrated at a riding school.

Misty Blue Farm in Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, County Durham, has been delivering Equine Assisted Learning to men and women of all ages and backgrounds since January to help boost self-esteem and develop employability skills.

Looking after horses has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, as well as improving confidence, communication skills, motivation, time keeping, problem solving and anger management.

Referrals have been made through the Jobcentre Plus, schools and other agencies and many people have gone on to find employment.

Today (Monday, March 16) the not-for-profit riding centre awarded certificates to those who have completed the course and celebrated the next stage of the project, which will see even more people, including young offenders, take part.

Durham Police has funded the scheme to help reduce reoffending.

Nikki Skinner, a director at Misty Blue, said: “Horses can’t hide their emotions. They respond negatively to negative emotions and positively to positive emotions.

“Seeing this can help people understand their own actions. If we brought a horse out in front of all these people today it would be frightened. We can then liken that to an elderly person encountering a gang of kids outside a supermarket.”

She added: “I have been overwhelmed by the positive outcomes we have seen so far. As well as finding jobs we have watched people’s confidence grow and friendships form.”

For more information visit mistybluefarm.com