Background Two children whose father was on the inpatient unit were asked what they would like Daddy to see them do, the answer was ‘Ride a pony.’ The idea was born, and for equity was rolled out for all on our caseload aged 3 -12 years at monthly summertime events.

Aim The horses to act as a conduit to provide therapeutic alliance with patients, children and young people with serious illness in the family or who are bereaved, promoting courage, conversation and confidence at a time of distress. McNamara (J Creat Ment Health. 2017;12(4):412–427) explores the therapeutic use of horses.

Method The ponies visit the hospice and attend our Christmas party providing continuing connection with the children. They provide therapeutic events for over 13s, grooming and drawing with a visiting artist. We filmed and delivered an event on Zoom during COVID to help reduce isolation.

Results The horses provide ‘that other’ for children to talk to and a boy who had not cried when his mother had died said to the horse ‘It’s not fair!’ Another example: a family reported ‘A beautiful moment’ when a horse visited their dying relative who loved horses. The horse returned after death ‘allowing them to leave the room and the center of her universe.’

‘How people die remains in the memories of those who live on’, Dame Cicely Saunders.

Conclusion Attendance has risen with 25 children and their families attending the first event in 2024 and remains most popular. Families enjoy peer support, reduce feelings of isolation, making crafts together whilst waiting for their pony ride, bringing a sense of fun into the hospice, instilling that responsibility we have to enable children to ‘Puddle Jump’ and move to a changed place. This is an opportunity to bring happiness to a place where there was sadness.