In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Emma Hutchinson and Jay Hare of HorseBack UK, a groundbreaking charity based in the Scottish Highlands. Originally developed to support military veterans recovering from physical and emotional trauma, HorseBack UK now works across diverse populations including at-risk youth and refugee communities.

Jay shares his powerful personal journey as a Royal Marine commando who lost his leg and facial identity in combat—and found healing through horses. Emma walks us through the origins and growth of HorseBack UK, how they built their eclectic, nature-based programs, and how their holistic approach integrates horsemanship, bushcraft, mentorship, and leadership.

From PTSD recovery to ADHD support, herd dynamics to leadership development, this episode reveals how horses, nature, and community can reforge identity, restore dignity, and create lasting change.

📚 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Jay’s Story: Trauma, Recovery, and the Call to Serve (Starts at 02:00)

• How combat injuries reshaped Jay’s life and led him to horses.
• Finding identity and peace through horsemanship and service.

Why HorseBack UK Was Born (Starts at 12:00)

• From breeding quarter horses to becoming a sanctuary for wounded soldiers.
• How a bonfire with friends turned into a national charity.

Healing Through Community, Nature, and Horses (Starts at 18:00)

• Creating programs that combine horse work, bushcraft, archery, and more.
• Why trust and shared struggle forge powerful therapeutic outcomes.

Empathy Over Expertise: Mentorship at the Core (Starts at 29:00)

• How lived experience fuels transformation and mentorship.
• Training veterans to mentor others on their healing path.

Youth Empowerment Through Herd Dynamics (Starts at 34:00)

• Teaching empathy, emotional regulation, and leadership through horses.
• Why alpha energy, structure, and bushcraft work wonders for troubled teens.

Equine Wisdom: Personality Pairing and Groundwork (Starts at 44:00)

• Matching horses and humans for emotional resonance and learning.
• Using liberty, groundwork, and bareback riding for connection over control.

Nature as Classroom: Bushcraft, Breathwork, and Belonging (Starts at 51:00)

• Why outdoor environments restore brain function and build confidence.
• From breath syncing with horses to building shelters and herbal string.

Sustainable Systems: How to Fund, Staff, and Grow (Starts at 1:04:00)

• Strategies for working with councils and local authorities.
• The genius of part-time mentorship and community collaboration.

Creating a Professional Field: Regulation and Standards (Starts at 1:11:00)

• The Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) and the move toward best practices.
• How to join or learn from their evolving network.

🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

Jay recalls sneezing his prosthetic eye into a salad and how humor helped him heal (13:00)

Why ADHD is not a deficit—it’s a superpower for problem-solving and leadership (22:00)

A Shetland pony as the confidence-building bridge for military giants (1:28:00)

How Emma’s 3-year-old daughter assumed everyone had prosthetic legs (1:33:00)

"Horses don’t care about your medals, degrees, or scars. They meet you in the moment."

🤝 Connect with Us:

Contact HorseBack UK: 
🌐 Website: https://www.horseback.org.uk 
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horsebackuk 
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horseback_uk

See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows: 
🌐 Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com 
💻 Equine-Assisted Programs: https://newtrailslearning.com

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New Trails Learning Systems 
🌐 Website: https://ntls.co 
📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld 
📷 Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld 
🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems

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