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Every now and again, something happens at HorseBack UK that leaves even the most experienced members of our team speechless.
Today was one of those moments.

Meet Olly, a young lad on our Youth Development Programme. Life hasn’t always been easy for him. School has been challenging, communicating with others, especially in groups, can be incredibly difficult, and unfamiliar surroundings can bring anxiety.

Now meet Bear. Bear is a former racehorse, a world where horses can develop heightened sensitivity, anxiety and flighty behaviour. He’s certainly got character! Temperamental at times, incredibly sensitive to people’s energy and not afraid to let you know when he’s uncomfortable or doesn’t understand.
Two very different individuals, both with their own stories, anxieties and challenges.

Then something quite remarkable happened.

As you’ll see in this video, Olly and Bear entered the round pen together. What followed left our entire team with jaws dropped.
No words. No pressure. Just an almost instant connection.
They moved together, flowed together and seemed to understand each other without needing to communicate in the way the rest of us do.
To some, this might look like an ordinary join-up.
To us, it was something truly special.
A young lad who struggles to communicate, and a horse who sometimes struggles to trust, had found something in each other.
No judgement. No expectations. Just understanding.
Both have faced challenges, and both still have their battles.
But in that beautiful moment, Olly and Bear became kindred souls.

This is why we do what we do.

Sometimes the greatest breakthroughs don’t need words, classrooms or conversations.
Sometimes all it takes is a young lad, a horse and a little bit of trust.

Olly, we’re so proud of you, mate. And Bear, you magnificent old boy, you reminded us why we believe so deeply in the power of horses.

This is HorseBack UK. Where connections change lives.

#HorseBackUK #YouthDevelopment #ThePowerOfHorses #KindredSouls #EquineAssistedServices #Trust #Resilience

The King's Trust Aboyne Local
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2 days ago
We are really excite

We are really excited to offer this qualification to those already working in equine assisted services, as well as anyone looking to take their first steps into this rewarding field.

For more information please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.
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2 days ago
Come back soon Wayne

Come back soon Wayne and Brian ... See MoreSee Less

3 days ago

🐎 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ANOTHER FANTASTIC WEEK AT HORSEBACK UK!

What a week of teamwork, resilience, friendship and personal growth here at the Charity HQ!

This week, we had the privilege of welcoming serving personnel and veterans from across the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force for one of our residential wellbeing programmes. 🫡

Bringing together people from different services, backgrounds and experiences, all with a common goal, to improve their wellbeing, build resilience, reconnect and support one another.

All working alongside our incredible horses as learning partners, and a range of wellbeing activities, we’ve seen confidence grow, barriers come down, friendships form and plenty of laughter along the way!

Also, a huge thank you to our illustrious and dedicated mentors John Tuson and Eugene Campbell for looking after the group this week. Absolute stars 🌟

Meanwhile, our fantastic Youth Development Programme, delivered in partnership with The King's Trust, is heading into week SIX! 👏

Our young people continue to impress us with their commitment, teamwork, growing confidence and willingness to challenge themselves. They’re developing valuable life and employability skills, supporting one another and becoming a cracking team!

Two very different groups, at different stages of life, but both demonstrating something we strongly believe in at HorseBack UK. With the right support, encouragement and belief, everyone has the ability to grow, overcome challenges and achieve more than they thought possible.

After 18 years of supporting our Armed Forces community, young people and others facing life’s challenges, it’s weeks like this that remind us why we do what we do.

Proud of every single one of you. Keep moving forward! 🐎 🇬🇧

#HorseBackUK #VeteransWellbeing #ArmedForces #RoyalNavy #RoyalMarines #BritishArmy #RoyalAirForce #TheKingsTrust #YouthDevelopment #Resilience #EquineAssistedServices #Teamwork #Wellbeing
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1 week ago

Welcome to HorseBack UK ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🤝 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🐎 PROUD TO PARTNER. PROUD TO SERVE. 🐎 🇬🇧

For 18 years, HorseBack UK has used its specialist knowledge, lived experience and the power of horses to support the military and veteran community from all three services. It is the very reason our charity was established and is deeply engrained in our DNA. With former military personnel within our own ranks at the charity, we understand this community, because we are part of it!
We’re extremely proud to formalise our partnership with the Armed Forces Equine Charity, bringing together the experience, skills and expertise of both organisations.
Following a fantastic programme this past week and three earlier in the year, we’re now looking forward to delivering nine more wellbeing programmes for serving personnel and veterans across AFEC Equestrian Centres, within the next 6 months. With the horses, as always, at the heart of the learning.

Proud to serve those who serve, and those who have served 🫡 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Shrivenham Equestrian Centre
Catterick Saddle Club
Tedworth Equestrian Centre
@top fansThe Armed Forces Equine Charity (AFEC) and HorseBack UK are delighted to sign a Service Level Agreement to be one of our delivery partners for our Veteran and Serving Personnel Recovery programmes across the AFEC Equestrian Centres.

This collaboration brings together the experience and expertise of both organisations, using the power of horses to support members of the Armed Forces Community to build confidence, connection, resilience and wellbeing.

By working together, we can strengthen the support available to our beneficiaries and ensure our programmes continue to deliver meaningful and lasting impact.
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2 weeks ago
The Armed Forces Equ

The Armed Forces Equine Charity (AFEC) and HorseBack UK are delighted to sign a Service Level Agreement to be one of our delivery partners for our Veteran and Serving Personnel Recovery programmes across the AFEC Equestrian Centres.

This collaboration brings together the experience and expertise of both organisations, using the power of horses to support members of the Armed Forces Community to build confidence, connection, resilience and wellbeing.

By working together, we can strengthen the support available to our beneficiaries and ensure our programmes continue to deliver meaningful and lasting impact.
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2 weeks ago
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Fantastic week of wellbeing at HorseBack UK🐴☀️

#horsebackuk #wellbeing #scotland #veteransupport #military
A fantastic military family course last week at Horseback UK ☀️

#horseback #military #family#scotland #horses
🌟 Exciting News from HorseBack! 🌟

👀 Over the past few months, we’ve received so many enquiries asking whether members of the public can take part in our wellbeing programmes…

And we’re delighted to say that the answer is now YES! 🎉

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more information about how you can get involved, but today we’re excited to introduce our Online Equine Assisted Learning & Wellbeing Programme.

🐎 🧑‍🎓 “Equine assisted learning online?”
We know…a few years ago we would have thought the same! But during Covid, we adapted our programmes to continue supporting people safely and effectively from a distance. We worked closely with NHS staff during some of their most vulnerable moments, and the programme has continued to make a real impact ever since.

✨ What’s included?
• 8 group Zoom sessions
• Around 1 hour each
• Guided HorseBack learning principles
• Videos of our horses to help explain key concepts and wellbeing techniques

If you’d like to find out more about dates and costs, we’d love to hear from you.

📧 Email: info@horseback.org.uk

📞 Phone: 013398 80487

#Wellbeing #EquineAssistedLearning #MentalHealthSupport #HorseBack #OnlineWellbeing PersonalGrowth EquineTherapy
Can it stop 🤬raining please? So many jobs to do. ☔️ 🙏 🐎 🇬🇧
Some wounds can’t be seen — but they can be healed. 🐎✨

At HorseBack UK, we witness it every day: the quiet power of horses helping people rebuild, reconnect, and move forward after physical or mental injury.

Our new documentary, now live via the link 🔗 in our bio, explores these deeply human stories and the extraordinary role horses play in recovery, resilience, and hope.

Watch the film. Feel the connection. Share the journey.
🎥 🐎 

#HorseBackUK #HealingThroughHorses #EquineAssistedServices #InvisibleWounds #Recovery Resilience Hope
In the quiet hills of Aboyne, The Highlands of Scotland, something extraordinary is happening. Through the gentle power of horses, lives shaped by trauma are finding a new way forward. (🔗 Click the link in the bio to watch the full film)

The Healing Power of Horses is a cinematic short documentary that steps inside the world of HorseBack UK, a pioneering charity using equine-assisted therapy to help military veterans, emergency service personnel, and young people rebuild confidence, trust, and resilience.

Filmed with an intimate, fly-on-the-wall approach, this film captures raw, unscripted moments where healing begins — not through words, but through connection. Between human and horse. Between past and possibility.

Inside the film:

• The King’s Trust Youth Development Programme – empowering young people with personal growth, employability skills, and recognised qualifications

• Veterans Residential Course – supporting former service personnel living with PTSD as they reconnect, rediscover purpose, and rebuild life after service

Funded by the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, the documentary draws a powerful parallel between veterans redefining life beyond the uniform and racehorses finding purpose beyond the track — a shared journey of rehabilitation, dignity, and hope.

This is not just a film about horses.

It’s a story about healing, identity, and second chances.

About slowing down, listening, and discovering strength where you least expect it.

If you believe in the power of compassion, connection, and meaningful storytelling, this film is for you. 
#horsebackuk #youthdevelopment #fyp
Happy New Year from HorseBack UK!🌟

As we step into 2025, we are filled with gratitude for the impactful journey we took together and take a moment to reflect on last year. 2024 saw the charity transform lives through our equine-assisted services and mindfulness activity based wellbeing courses. Our programmes, courses and workshop’s reached individuals of all ages, from veterans finding healing and respite through our horses to young people discovering confidence and resilience.

In 2024, we proudly served over 300 participants, engaging them in equine assisted learning sessions, emotional support through one to one and group interactions, and wellbeing based courses to deal with, manage and reduce stress and anxiety. Each connection made with our incredible horses has empowered individuals to overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities heading for a better, healthier future.

With the support of our charity partners, our volunteers, our dedicated staff and YOU, we’ve witnessed profound changes and inspiring stories. Whether it was through our community outreach initiatives or tailored programmes for those facing mental health struggles; the bond between humans and horses proved to be a source of strength and healing.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to expand our offerings, introducing new workshops, new courses, and collaborations, focused on wellness and personal growth. Together, let’s continue to champion the transformative power of equine-assisted services and make a lasting impact.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to a bright New Year filled with hope, healing, and the magic of horses! 🐎 

#HappyNewYear #HorseBackUK #EquineAssistedServices #HealingWithHorses #CommunityImpact #2025Vision
‼️ Please Help And Please Share

We need all your help urgently! 

🌟 Support HorseBack UK: Vote for Mental Health and Wellbeing! 🌟

From 29th November to 16th December 2024, please vote for HorseBack UK in the Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. 

Please use your own Aberdeenshire postcode or if you do not have one use: 
‼️ AB34 5LD ‼️ and cast your vote here: 

www.avashire.org.uk/cmhwfundvote

This funding will allow us to support up to 90 local adults struggling with social and rural isolation, neurodiversity, anxiety, and more. Our weekly sessions in Aboyne create a safe space for participants to connect, share experiences, and build trusted relationships. 

With the guidance of our qualified staff, participants will engage in life-enhancing activities like equine-assisted learning, archery, yoga, breathwork, bushcraft, and team-building exercises. 

Join us in making a difference in our community! Your vote can help improve wellbeing and provide vital support to those in need. 💚🧘‍♂️

#HorseBackUK #MentalHealthMatters #VoteForWellbeing #Aberdeenshire #Community Aboyne Local
🌨️❄️ 🥶 Brrr! It’s a chilly -5°C today at HorseBack UK, but that hasn’t stopped the incredible Banchory Academy Schools Development Group from shining bright! 🌟

The team is showing off their skills and building bonds with some of our 42 beautiful horses at the accredited learning centre. With the farrier by our side, everyone is learning about teamwork and equine-assisted learning in such a fun way! Despite the cold, the warmth of teamwork and learning brings joy to us all. 

🐴❤️👉 Please like and share to spread the love! 

#HorseBackUK #BanchoryAcademy #EquineLearning #teamwork
News Flash! ⚠️ 

We are extremely honoured and thrilled to announce that HorseBack UK has won the Armed Forces Employee Recognition Gold Award, for our unwavering commitment to the Armed Forces Community! 

Here is our amazing Programme Lead, Richard Taff Teague, proudly accepting the award at the The Black Watch Castle & Museum last night. A fantastic night was had, and a very proud moment for us as a charity that has helped so many serving military personnel and military veterans over the past 15 years. Thank you to everyone who supports us! 
@highlandrfca 

#HorsebackUK #GoldERS24 #EmployeeRecognitionSheme #ArmedForces #FundraisingSuccess #ProudMoment #YouthDevelopment
We’re delighted to announce a partnership with @thebeastukofficial (formerly “UK Maiden Experience) a brand new Iron Maiden tribute show who are touring UK theatres next year!

These guys are preparing an incredible show for 2025 with stage show, pyrotechnics and more! We’re incredibly proud to be partnered with them for their tour next year. 

The Beast UK are pledging £1 of every ticket sold to our charity! They have an estimated 10,000 tickets for sale! 

TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED - Wednesday 13th November
ON SALE - Saturday 16th November!! 

Stay tuned for more from ourselves and The Beast UK, as they’re traveling up in December to take part in some horse related actives and even playing a few songs up here! 

Be sure to get your tickets! 

Visit them at @thebeastukofficial or www.thebeastuk.co.uk
Take a look at this conversation between Jock and William! 

As we rode, we delved into the importance of camaraderie and unity among the allies—French, Brits, and Americans—whose bonds were forged in the fires of WWII and remain essential today. Our conversation was a powerful reminder that the freedom we cherish is a result of enduring partnerships and shared sacrifices.

It’s vital we preserve these memories and continue to share the stories of those who fought for our liberty. As we enjoyed a moment of light-heartedness with a ‘drinky poo’ in our bell forts, we reaffirmed our commitment to stay united in honour and remembrance.

Thank you, William, for the camaraderie on this ride and the ongoing mission to keep history alive. We’re looking forward to continuing this journey together in September. 

Share in the comments anything you want us to answer, wed love to chat with you

 #DDay80 #Normandy2024 #AlliedUnity #FreedomRide #HBUKDday80
Yesterday took us to Grandcamp-Maisy, just 2.4km from Pointe Du Hoc on the historic Omaha Beach, where the 2nd and 5th U.S. Rangers bravely fought to dismantle the Maisy Gun Emplacement Batteries. 🎖️ Amidst this profound backdrop, we had the unexpected honor of meeting Brigadier General Jonathan P. Braga, Commander of Special Operations Command, Pacific, along with his wonderful family.

The Brigadier General shared poignant reflections on the significance of being here for the 80th D-Day anniversary. ‘There’s no better place to be with the last remaining members of the Greatest Generation that fought for the freedom of the world,’ he expressed, emphasizing the importance of family support in both military and civilian life.

Swipe to see moments from our meeting and hear more about how their family’s presence enriches this commemoration. It’s a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of those who serve and the families who stand by them. 🌍✨

We’re deeply grateful for the chance to connect and share stories of courage, legacy, and the unbreakable bonds of family. #DDay80 #normandy #VeteranSupport #HonorAndRemember
Early risers today as we headed to the iconic Deauville Racecourse for a meaningful meet-up with Aaron Gryder, former American Champion Jockey and VP at 1/ST Racing, one of our proud sponsors. 🐎🌅

Aaron and our own Jock delved into a topic close to our hearts: finding new purpose for former racehorses. These majestic animals, much like veterans, seek a second chapter after their first careers end, and we’re dedicated to helping them transition smoothly.

It’s partnerships like these with 1/ST Racing and support from organizations like EIF-Equine Immersion Foundation and Racing To Relate that amplify our efforts and impact. Together, we’re creating pathways that honor and repurpose the strength and spirit of these incredible horses.

Stay tuned as we explore more ways to make a difference. DDay80 #neverforget #hbukdday80

We do not rely on government funding so any donations will greatly assist with the running of our charity.