Trotting around the arena, this group might just look they are having an average horse riding lesson.
But the 12-week course they have just finished is far from the norm – and pushed them from their comfort zones, opening up new doors for the future.
From horsemanship and plotting a hillwalking expedition, to running a house for the first time and volunteering in the community to discussing job interview skills, no two lessons were ever the same.
They were the first cohort of an all-new programme delivered by charity Horseback UK, in partnership with The Prince’s Trust and John Muir Trust, aimed at getting young people into work.
Horseback UK, based in Dinnet, Aboyne, has a proven track record of inspiring recovery, boosting self-esteem and promoting self-change among veterans and military personnel.
Over the years, those horsemanship skills have been used to help many other groups, from youngsters struggling with confidence and self-esteem, to oil companies looking to develop leadership skills.
Now it is hoped this new course – which could run up to three times a year – will help young people take charge of their lives.
‘Better understanding of their own abilities’
Under the watchful eye of course leader Taff Teague – who retired from the military after 42 years in January – the group of eight 16 to 27-year-olds have grown in confidence as they earned themselves awards and qualifications.
Many of them have “wellbeing issues” or were bullied at school, leaving them suffering with anxiety and low-confidence. Lockdown worsened that for many.
Mr Teague, a retired major who was with the Royal Logistics Corps, said the equine-assisted learning programme helps to boost self-esteem and develop coping strategies.
“We had eight people who were scared and apprehensive when they started the course,” he said. “Now they have a better understanding of their own abilities.”
As well as developing horse and outdoor skills – including hillwalking and mountain bike riding – the group had to organise themselves for a residential stay at Glen Tanar.
For many this was their first time sharing a house with others, and they were responsible for the day-to-day running of it – sorting the cooking, shopping and cleaning for themselves.
They also carried out two weeks of work experience, which ranged from retail, the care sector and estate management. As a result, one participant has landed a part-time job and another has had a job interview for a Christmas job.
The group also volunteered in the community, working with the Aboyne Men’s Shed to make bird houses and even sprucing up Tarland Primary School’s playground and outdoor classroom.
‘I’ve learned a lot from them too’
Mr Teague said: “They cleaned up the playground and made a fence from materials they gathered locally to keep kids safe, and tidied up the garden too. It took three weeks of planning and work, but they should be proud of the end result.
“We also challenged them to work with a different dynamic, so they went along to Aboyne’s men’s shed. I think both groups enjoyed interacting with each other as s they worked – some of the men who go along are quite isolated, so having the young people come in was a change for them too.”
He praised the group’s commitment, with several members getting the bus to Dinnet for 9.30am every day from the likes of Ballater and Stonehaven.
Today, the group marked the end of the course with a presentation in the classroom before saddling up for a demonstration in the riding school.
Mr Teague said: “It’s been a real pleasure working with them and I learned a lot too. It’s been a difficult ride for them, but it’s been fantastic to see them grow from day one to where they are now.
“Some of them can’t see that transformation in themselves, but we know it and it’s now up to them to take that forward.”
Participants have now earned themselves an SQA Level 4 Personal Development Through Horsemanship, the John Muir Discovery Award and the Prince’s Trust, Award, Certificate and Diploma in Personal Development and Employability Skills (PDE).
The next course will be held early next year. For more information contact HorseBack UK.
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