Walking for the Herd: Team ESR at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Shared Leadership in a Divided World: In a world that feels increasingly divided, horses offer a different way of understanding leadership — one rooted in connection, awareness, and shared responsibility. Through the TeachingHorse™ Diamond Model, I've learned that leadership isn't a title or a hierarchy. In the herd, leadership moves. It adapts. Every horse plays a role, and the strength of the group comes from how they stay attuned to one another.

We're thrilled to share that Eat Sleep Ride has been shortlisted for the 2025 BASIS Sustainable Sport Awards in the Community Impact category! This recognition celebrates how our equine and nature-based programmes are creating positive change for people, animals, and the planet.

We're proud to share that Danielle our founder and Stephen chair of the board from Eat Sleep Ride have been accepted onto Towards a Thriving Sector — a national leadership and learning programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This seven-month journey brings together heritage organisations from across Scotland to explore new ways of working, building partnerships, and strengthening community impact.

Family friendly, pay as you feel fun filled community wellness event. Through out the day their will be a bouncy castle , local traders selling handmade gifts & food options such as gluten free, homemade ice cream.

This winter, we're raising our voices — not just for us, but for the true heart of Eat Sleep Ride: our herd. These four-legged teachers are the ones who quietly carry the weight of our work. They help young people rebuild trust, find calm, and discover their strength. This song is a tribute to them — a reminder that to support our community, we must first support the herd.

📅 Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat from 10th Oct – 3rd Nov 🕥 10:30–1:30 (£45) | 10:30–3:00 (£60) ✔ Groom & care for ponies ✔ Riding sessions for all levels ✔ Yard skills, games & crafts ✔ Nature play & pony cuddles 👧 Ages 5–18 📩 Book now: office@eatsleeprides.org

At Eat Sleep Ride, we recently hosted a Learning Exchange with Inspiring Alba and Social Enterprise Scotland. Nine incredible women joined us on site to explore shared leadership through the wisdom of horses. Through grounding in the stables, the "Tide" energy exercise, meditation in the garden, and time with the herd in the field, participants discovered powerful lessons.

At Eat Sleep Ride, we believe that empowerment isn't a slogan — it's something women must live and feel. That's why we created Empower Her: an eight-week programme where women step into the field with horses, supported by our team of coaches, to rebuild self-worth, confidence, and belonging. Horses respond only to truth and presence. They mirror what we bring, offering honest feedback that is both confronting and deeply healing.

We're proud to share that Eat Sleep Ride is now People & Planet First Verified! This global recognition celebrates enterprises that put community, wellbeing, and sustainability at the heart of everything they do. From transforming a former landfill into a thriving off-grid hub, to supporting young people and families through horses and nature, this recognition reflects our mission in action.

We were delighted to host the lads from Andy's Man Club for an evening of mindfulness, horses and connection. They explored our gardens, pond and herd, before working with Ben and Frazzel to reflect on grounding, intention and boundaries. One participant said: "If someone told me I would learn something about myself from horses, I would have laughed - but I did!" The evening ended with a BBQ, fresh vegetables and plenty of conversation.