A LAKE District hill farm has launched a new venture.

Weekend meditation retreats with Clydesdale horses are being offered by Whasdyke Farm, near Windermere, to tap into the growing trend for animal-assisted therapy.

The farm's Debbie Henderson said each weekend would be themed on creative writing, photography, painting, floristry or pottery, and would include meditation sessions with the four gentle, charismatic, heavy horses.

“Full Circle Retreats is aimed at providing a space, beyond the fast pace of life, to re-establish your sense of wholeness," said Debbie.

"The landscape, the horses, the farm - together with a carefully constructed schedule of yoga, horse meditation practice, nutrition and creative workshops - combine perfectly with our ethos to create a sanctuary where full living takes place.”

Debbie added: “We have found being absorbed in nature, by taking part in therapeutic activities, helps you find your inner playfulness and creativity.”

Yoga and horse meditation teacher Katherine Beaumont said she firmly believes using horses in meditation is a "fast track to stillness".

She said: "Horses are great barometers for our meditation practice. If we are peaceful, they are peaceful. If we are fearful, they too are fearful, and so on.

“Horses are herd animals and can mimic each other's heart rates in order to protect the herd from prey. This is how they know when we are anxious. They basically synchronise with our central nervous system.”

To find out more, see www.fullcircleretreats.co.uk.