Dark Skies, Storytelling & Horses | Eat Sleep Rice

danielle@eatsleeprides.org

Wellbeing, Retreats & Experiences

What

An evening experience under one of the darkest skies in Scotland, combining fireside storytelling and live music with quiet time among our rescued horses. Storytelling led by partners including Instinctively Wild CIC, who bring a harp into the evening.

Why

An officially recognised dark skies area — combined with firelight, music, marshmallows and the herd, this is unlike any other evening out in the Borders.

How

3.5-hour evening. Group size 6 to 12. Non-ridden, family-friendly for ages 12+.

Other

Wellbeing, Retreats & Experiences

Our other offers

Take The Reins

Take The Reins supports young people aged 14–25 facing significant barriers through equine-assisted learning, trauma-informed coaching, and skills development. Working alongside rescued horses, participants build confidence, resilience, and pathways into education, training, and employment.

Exam Training

Structured training programs prepare riders for British Horse Society exams up to Stage 4 through hands-on learning and expert guidance. Instruction is tailored to help riders build the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in formal assessments.

Horse & Land Connection Experience (Non-Ridden)

A fully ground-based horse and nature experience focused on presence, communication, herd behaviour, and wellbeing. Ideal for guests who prefer not to ride, offering reflective interaction with rescued horses in a peaceful off-grid coastal setting.

Off-Grid Horse & Land Experience (Ridden)

A beginner-friendly off-grid horse riding experience combining gentle riding, rescued horses, storytelling, and nature immersion on a scenic North Sea coastal site. Designed for guests seeking authentic rural connection, wellbeing, and meaningful outdoor experiences rather than technical equestrian training.

Community Wellbeing Days

Free, fully accessible activity days for community members, run regularly throughout the year.

Arena hire

Arena Hire provides a safe, well-maintained training space with quality surfaces

Away Days & Team Building

One-day team experiences for charity and community sector teams, schools and partner organisations. Includes herd introduction, group exercises, lunch and reflective close.

Bespoke Organisational Programmes

Programmes designed with charities, community organisations and not-for-profits to support team development, leadership growth and culture work.

Youth Coaching

One-to-one and small-group coaching for young people aged 12 to 25 facing transitions, school disengagement, confidence challenges or leadership opportunities. Delivered through ground-based work with our rescued herd.

NLP & Equine Assisted NLP Coaching

One-to-one and small-group coaching combining NLP techniques with the immediate, honest feedback that horses give. For people working through life transitions, leadership challenges, confidence work or personal growth.

Consultation & Policy Work

ESR contributes to national and regional consultations and policy work on youth services, rural community wellbeing, equine welfare, neurodiversity and nature-based intervention.

University Partnerships

ESR partners with universities to host student placements, research projects and shared learning. Recent and current partners include the University of Edinburgh, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the University of Aberdeen.

Youth Residentials

Multi-day residentials for youth groups, schools, alternative-provision cohorts and youth charities. Catering, accommodation and structured activities all included.

Diamond Model Days — Youth Leadership with the Herd

A youth leadership programme where our young people peer-model with the horses — leading sessions, demonstrating ground work, and supporting other young people through structured Herd Dynamics activities.

Own a Pony Day

An immersive day for children who love horses but don’t have one of their own — a chance to spend a full day caring for a pony from start to finish.

Alternative Education

Structured alternative-provision placements for young people aged 12 to 18 who are disengaged from mainstream school. Around 90 young people come through this programme each year.

Pony Club

Regular Pony Club sessions for children and young people, working towards ABRS rosettes through structured horse care and riding skills.

Manse Experiences

Combined ESR and Swinton Manse experiences, available as day, overnight or multi-day formats — with horses or without. Catering, accommodation and minibus transfer included.

Retreats

Multi-day retreat packages combining ESR and Swinton Manse, with a curated mix of activities, full catering, accommodation and time with our rescued herd. Available with or without horses.

Yurt Stays & Hire

Our yurts and surrounding spaces are available for hire — for events, parties, training workshops, wellbeing days, and gatherings. Pitch-up space is available for camper vans, with the firepit, tiny house, woodshed, barbecue and wider site included.

Wellness Days at ESR

Half-day or full-day packages combining a mix of our activities — yoga, sound bath, terrarium, sauna and ice bath, dark skies — with horse time, farm-to-fork lunch, and time on the land.

Terrarium Workshops

Hands-on terrarium making led by our partner Myriam of My Mini Terrariums. Guests build their own miniature living world to take home.

Dark Skies, Storytelling & Horses

An evening experience under one of the darkest skies in Scotland, combining fireside storytelling and live music with quiet time among our rescued horses.

Sauna, Ice Bath & Horses

Contrast therapy combining a guided sauna and ice bath session with quiet ground-based horse connection. Led by Fenwick Ridley — professional Sauna Master, Team GB Ice Swimmer and Captain, and founder of Northumbrian Sauna.

Sound Bath

Immersive sound bath sessions led by our partner Lindsay Agnew of Gaia Sound Journeys, blending crystal singing bowls, gongs and other instruments. Held in the yurts or by the firepit.

Yoga

Grounded yoga sessions held outdoors on our off-grid site overlooking the North Sea — or in our yurt when the weather calls for it. Suitable for all levels. Run by our trusted yoga partner Amy Christie.

Horse & Pony Livery

Livery services provide high-quality, professional daily care in a calm and supportive environment where horses can thrive. With tailored routines, experienced staff, and excellent facilities, the focus is on promoting each horse’s wellbeing while giving owners complete peace of mind.

Clipping

We offer a range of clips and have small clippers for legs and face — everything from full clips through to detail work for show preparation.

Clinics and Events

Workshops and events give owners and riders practical, horse-centred learning experiences in a supportive environment. Topics include holistic horse care, online competitions, and equine touch therapy.

Schooling, Backing, and Sales

Kind, evidence-based training helps horses build confidence, balance, and trust through groundwork, ridden work, and behavioural awareness. Services range from foundation schooling to advanced training and short-term or sales livery support.

Rescue & Rehome Services

This service gives at-risk or unwanted horses a safe refuge, structured rehabilitation, and carefully matched rehoming. Ongoing welfare checks and advice ensure that each horse continues to receive support after rehoming.

Community Events, Consultation & Training

Eat Sleep Ride runs funded sessions, open-access events, consultation work, and commissioned training that are practical, inclusive, and relational. These activities help communities connect, be heard, and take part in learning that suits different needs.

Education, Awards & Progressive Pathways

This service provides longer-term progression through youth awards, ABRS and BHS pathways, alternative education placements, and work experience. It helps learners build confidence, gain credits, and move into future training or employability routes.

Horses, Riding & Equine-Informed Work

Horses are central to this offer, which includes riding tuition, reflective one-to-one sessions, group activity days, and equine-informed wellbeing experiences. Programmes can be accessed through referrals, commissioned sessions, or group days that combine horses with nature and outdoor skills.

Biofuel & Sustainability Projects

This developing project turns waste materials into usable fuel while creating learning, placement, and engagement opportunities. It supports environmental responsibility, circular economy learning, and practical climate-focused skills.

Event Space, Activities & Partnerships

The space functions as a flexible community venue for workshops, consultations, wellbeing days, retreats, and funded or free events. It offers an accessible rural setting with camping, campfire, and outdoor cooking options for larger gatherings.

Growing, Nature & Land-Based Projects

The polytunnel, garden, and outdoor spaces support food growing, biodiversity, rewilding, and wellbeing through hands-on activity. These projects build confidence, routine, and practical skills while helping care for wildlife and habitats on site.

Growing & Gathering

This offer centres on the site's gardens and animals, with seasonal produce, flowers, pay-as-you-feel eggs, and volunteer gardening days. It creates hands-on ways for people to gather, grow, and take part in community projects.

Coaching & Training Spaces

Indoor and outdoor spaces are available for workshops, horse-led learning, birthdays, wellbeing sessions, training, or demonstrations. Options include a wheelchair-accessible yurt, arena, coaching room, and flexible barn space.

Tiny House Retreat

The solar-powered tiny house provides a quiet space for day hire, coaching, writing retreats, or overnight group experiences. It includes a bathroom, hot water, sea views, and a woodburner for a comfortable rural escape.

Stay & Gather Overnight

This overnight option lets guests stay on site with tent or campervan space, a barn, campfire pit, camp kitchen, compost loo, and sensory garden access. Horse time, guided walks, and eco activities can be added to create a fuller retreat experience.

Nature Walk & Sensory Garden

Visitors can explore an off-grid nature walk and sensory garden designed to help people reconnect with nature, community, and themselves. The experience also supports Eat Sleep Ride's work with young people and rescued horses.

One-Day Workshops & Bespoke Team Days

Half- and full-day sessions focus on communication, decision-making, values, and emotional intelligence through horse-led learning. Bespoke add-ons such as yoga, sound healing, firewalking, LEGO Serious Play, or creative reflection can be included.

Hybrid Leadership Programmes

These blended programmes combine online learning and coaching with in-person horse-guided practice. They are ideal for dispersed teams or leaders who need a flexible format.

Nature-Based Team Retreats

Peaceful off-grid retreats use horses, nature-based coaching, mindfulness, and shared time around the fire to help teams reconnect and reflect. They are designed to support meaningful learning in a calm rural setting.

Pony Days and Parties

Pony parties provide fun, structured experiences for children, combining riding, activities, and games in a safe environment. Events are led by experienced staff and designed to create memorable celebrations for small groups.

Therapeutic Riding

Our therapeutic riding sessions use the rhythm and movement of the horse to support sensory integration and movement regulation: a gentle, nature-based approach that benefits children and young people with sensory processing needs, neurodivergent profiles, and trauma backgrounds.

Treks and Trails

A variety of riding experiences—from gentle pony walks to adventurous trail rides—allow riders to explore scenic countryside, farms, and coastal routes. Each trek is customized to suit different skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders.

Lessons for All Abilities

From first rides to advanced schooling, every lesson builds trust, balance, and confidence for both horse and rider.