A woman with a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition has told how spending time with horses has built her confidence and helped her to find a job.
Lillie Allen, 20, from Molesey, Surrey, was born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), caused by exposure to alcohol in the womb that affects a child’s brain, growth and behaviour.
Between 3% and 5% of babies born in the UK each year, up to 21,000 infants, are affected by FASD, despite widespread warnings on the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.
Lillie, who also has dyslexia, was badly bullied at secondary school, which impacted her mental health and wrecked her confidence.
Eight years ago, at a low ebb, Lillie’s nan suggested she visit the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)’s centre at Park Lane in Teddington, Southwest London, and things began to change.
“I had been bullied a lot at school and my mental health really suffered,” said Lillie, who lives with her nan, Katrina.
“But then after I started spending time with horses at the RDA centre, I started to see things differently. I started to feel better in myself and my life began to improve. If I didn’t have horses today, I don’t think I’d be here.”
In her time as an RDA participant, regularly attending the RDA’s Park Lane Stables in Teddington, Southwest London, Lillie’s confidence steadily grew as she spent more time interacting with horses.
In 2022, she began an apprenticeship as a trainee coach at the RDA’s Park Lane Stables centre. In 2024, she passed her Level 2 apprentice qualification (equivalent to five GCSEs).
Having completed a Level 3 National Extended Diploma in equine management at Merrist Wood College in Surrey, Lillie is now employed as a Level 3 apprentice, progressing towards becoming a fully qualified RDA coach.
“Spending time with horses has made me so much happier and confident,” she said.
“Being in a job is something I never thought I’d be doing a few years ago. Now I am helping other people who are in situations similar to the one I used to be in.
“Rather than being afraid to go out, and fearing how people might judge me, I am comfortable in who I am and doing a job for the RDA that I absolutely love.”
Lillie has lived with her nan all her life. Her mother was taken into care after suffering brain damage in childbirth due to prolonged lack of oxygen. Her father has been absent from day one.
Being around horses lifts Lillie’s mood. The animals intuitively adapt their behaviour to what she and others need, including when she is upset.
Lillie said: “Horses are very intelligent animals. Just being around them makes you relax and feel comfortable. You can share your thoughts and your feelings, and they won’t judge you. I love making connections with horses.”
Lillie recalls an occasion, in her early days as an RDA participant, when she was distressed and crying.
“I had had a really bad day, and I was really struggling, and I thought: ‘I’m just going to give a pony a cuddle,’” she said.
“I went into the stable of a horse called Trigger, and I just sobbed and sobbed, and he stopped eating and came over and just cuddled me for about an hour. It was the best thing. Exactly what I needed.”
She added: “If I’m sad, it’s like horses know, better than humans do sometimes. They are so intuitive and immediately understand me.”
Lisa Davies, Head of Communications at RDA, said: “The benefits of the human-horse connection go far beyond physical activity. Horses build trust, inspire confidence and bring a sense of calm, making a life-changing difference for disabled people and those who have experienced trauma, anxiety or exclusion.
“Every year, RDA helps 39,000 disabled people and individuals with long-term health conditions experience these transformative benefits. Lillie is a shining example of what’s possible with the right support.”
Lillie shared her story as part of the RDA’s ‘Summer of Inclusion’ campaign, aiming to help disabled children and young people. The campaign’s slogan is “nobody left in the shade,” highlighting the barriers many disabled children face during the summer months, when access to inclusive activities can be limited.
“Summer should be a time of adventure, friendship and fun, but for many disabled children it can be a time of isolation and missed opportunities,” said Vicki Rowles, Director of Fundraising at RDA UK.
“With the support of donors, volunteers and local communities, we can help more disabled children access these life-changing experiences.”
