How a simple idea enables access to Nature
A versatile, accessible service that can pop up in special places
How It All Began
Welcome to the Happiness Horsebox! This unique vehicle has been funded by equestrian and rural organisations and charities to help people with disabling conditions to access the countryside. And it has already won a Sport England Innovation Award
In this video, you'll see how the clever design and a heavy duty lifting ramp enables so many activities and connections to horses. Families and friends can enjoy countryside and equestrian activities together again.
Our Team
Karen Frederick
Research Director
Karen is developing a strategy so that the unique space of the Happiness Horsebox can be utilised for research into equine assisted approaches. From her understanding of survey design, data management and related protocols, we want to work with researchers and university teams.
Darren Evans
Storytelling Consultant
Being inside the horsebox always gets people talking- about horses! We are working with Darren, Director of After Cloud, to develop digital timelines that are prompts for conversations and storytelling. First is the Valley of the Racehorse in Lambourn, now we are keen to plan more.
Richard Jackman CMILT
Transport Consultant
Without Richard's extensive knowledge and ever patient approach we would not have been able to fulfil our DVSA licencing requirements. Thanks to him we now have a Standard International Operating Licence and Transport Manager - and rely on his cheery support.
Winnie Wilkins
Communications Lead
Winnie's enthusiastic support comes from a practical understanding of the horsebox benefits, and interest in its development. She compiled the first digital timeline over winter 2024-25 and is keen to develop our ability and fit out the horsebox to support storytelling.
Marianne Rabanal
Partnership Development
Marianne has supported the Horsebox from its earliest days, and is helping us build strategic partnerships locally and with related organisations
Jon Wilson
Inclusivity Director
Jon also works in the NHS and understands the practical issues of supporting clients and carers as well as navigating procurement guidelines!
Liz Morrison
Founder & Director
Driven by experience of the benefits of horses for people experiencing health issues, Liz developed the idea and brought it to life....
Business Planning & Accountancy
As our long standing accountant has recently retired we are seeking a Business Planning & Accountancy practice to support our work.
From a simple idea.....
This CAD video animation was created by one of our volunteers in lockdown as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award! He was amazed to see the real thing when lockdown ended!
It showcases the features of our horsebox, including the lifting platform, pop-out side, kitchen and loo. It is a 12 tonne vehicle, so up to three horses can travel in it, facing into the living area from behind solid partitions.
Testimonials
Winnie Wilkins
So many lives can be enriched by the Happiness Horsebox, mine was revolutionised in just a few hours, because, for the first time in 25 years, I could see the event from the comfort of my chair without worrying about people crowding around me.
Jonty Evans
it would have meant so much to me to have been able to meet my horses when I was in hospital after my accident..... Months of rehabilitation inside were not easy... The Happiness Horsebox would have helped me so much
