Risca’s emotional support horse the ‘mane’ event in Parliament

An emotional support horse from Risca visited Westminster this week to visit MPs in the all-party parliamentary group on ADHD.

Peter Heathcote has four Icelandic Horses which he keeps in the fields behind his house, but it was former world champion and gold medal winning horse ‘Prestur’ – meaning ‘Priest’ in Icelandic – who paid a visit to London on Tuesday April 21.

The event was held outside Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s residence in Westminster.

Risca resident Mr Heathcote described how important these animals have been to him, following the life-threatening heart attack he suffered in January 2025.

He said: “I was in a really bad place after my heart attack, and the horses were a massive part of my rehab. I was back riding them within six weeks and am thankfully back to full health now.

“I find they really help quieten the mind, and you fall into a state of deep relaxation and peace. If you’ve got ADHD like me, you find yourself completely at ease within a few minutes.”

He continued: “Stood here around dozens of MPs who all have stressful lives, you can see the weight lifted off their shoulders after just a few minutes with Prestur.

“We also recently took him to the Senedd and everyone loved him there too. It doesn’t matter who you are.”

Mr Heathcote also invites other neurodivergent people to his home in Risca to be around the horses, as well as victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse, and cancer survivors. 

“It’s a great way for anyone to take their mind off their worries, even for a short time,” he explained. “The horses are so responsive due to the way they are treated freely in Iceland, they’re wonderful to have around.”

The event, which was organised by Newport West and Islwyn’s Labour MP Ruth Jones, alongside fellow Labour MP Jo Platt, was attended by the Iceland’s ambassador to the UK, Sturla Sigurjónsson.

Speaking at the event, Ms Jones said: “It was fantastic to welcome Prestur the Icelandic Horse to Westminster, and it was even better to see and hear so many people say how much better they felt after just a few minutes with him.

“Several of my colleagues told me how they’d gone back multiple times just to see him, highlighting the benefit these wonderful animals have on our mental health and wellbeing.”

Ms Jones added: “Peter Heathcote has worked with several neurodivergent groups and charities and has seen first-hand how positive the experience can be. It’s definitely something I’d like to try and grow back home in the constituency.”

Following the event, MPs met with neurodivergent charities and support groups to discuss what more can be done to support them – with animals such as Icelandic horses identified as outlets to help children and adults grow their confidence. 

Speaking at the roundtable discussion, Mr Heathcote talked about his children, who, like him, are also neurodivergent, and have in the past found it difficult to enter the workforce or find other opportunities due to the lack of awareness and understanding.

He added: “The feedback we’ve had has been amazing. I’m thankful we could get so many people here to expand the conversation on neurodivergence.”