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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.
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Free, fully accessible activity days for community members, run regularly throughout the year.
ESR contributes to national and regional consultations and policy work on youth services, rural community wellbeing, equine welfare, neurodiversity and nature-based intervention.
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.
Multi-day residentials for youth groups, schools, alternative-provision cohorts and youth charities. Catering, accommodation and structured activities all included.
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.
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.
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.
Regular Pony Club sessions for children and young people, working towards ABRS rosettes through structured horse care and riding skills.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
