Thurleigh Equestrian Centre

🎉 WE ARE FINALISTS! 🎉

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Progressive Strides at Thurleigh Equestrian Centre has been named a finalist for the Equestrian Business Awards Diversity Award 2026! 🐴

Every day, we see firsthand how much of a difference our horses and staff make in the lives of young people, and being shortlisted for this award is wonderful recognition ❤️

⭐Diversity Award Finalists⭐

Award Sponsor:
Headline Sponsor: HarryHall.com

We're delighted to announce the finalists for the Equestrian Business Awards Diversity Award 2026:

✨ Horserenity CIC
✨ Progressive Strides at Thurleigh Equestrian Centre
✨ Lunar Eclipse EFL Therapy Horses CIC
✨ Higher Farm Education & Wellbeing

This award celebrates organisations that are helping to make the equestrian industry more inclusive, accessible and welcoming, while creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to experience the benefits of working with and being around horses.

Congratulations to all of our finalists. Your commitment to breaking down barriers, supporting communities and creating positive change within the equestrian sector is truly inspiring.

Thank you to Onlinepethealth for sponsoring this award, and to our headline sponsor Harry Hall Ltd.

Join us in congratulating our finalists and tag them below! Finalist logos and information will be emailed to the finalists shortly.

Thank you Tom Wootton Mayor of Bedford for your kind words, it means a great deal to the team and students to be recognised for the wonderful work they are doing 😊

We were really pleased to welcome the Mayor and Councillor Jane Walker to Thurleigh Equestrian Centre yesterday to meet the equine students on our Progressive Strides at Thurleigh Equestrian Centre programme. The staff and students enjoyed meeting them, introducing them to the horses and showing them what they have learnt on their course, and the sun shone too! :)

⚠️ EQUINE FLU OUTBREAKS ⚠️
We are currently seeing multiple outbreaks of equine influenza across the country, and recent reports from the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance group highlight a spike in outbreaks this month.

Equine flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease with a short incubation period that can spread rapidly between horses, causing fever, coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, and in some cases, prolonged recovery times and ongoing health issues.

🛑 Why this matters:
• Even healthy horses can become seriously unwell.
• It spreads easily through the air and can travel up to 5km on the wind.
• It also spreads by direct contact with contaminated equipment, clothing, and handlers.
• Outbreaks can lead to strict yard lockdowns.

🔍 Signs to look out for:
• A temperature above 38.5°C
• A frequent dry, harsh cough
• Nasal discharge
• Loss of appetite and lethargy
• Swollen or painful glands around the jaw
• Gagging when eating

🧼 Actions
• If you are visiting us from a yard that has a suspected/confirmed case, or you have been
in contact with horses from an affected yard, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER OUR YARD.
• Please change your clothes, gloves and boots, and wash your hands before handling any
horses here.
• Sanitize & Clean: Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer regularly while at the yard.
Avoid sharing tack, grooming kits, buckets, or equipment between horses.

Maintaining high standards of vigilance and biosecurity is essential to protecting all horses within the equine community.

Thank you for your cooperation and support to keep our horses safe! ❤️

👉 Read more about signs, symptoms and prevention: https://bit.ly/3QqdN60

Be alert: equine flu cases are rising in the UK.

Recent reports show a sudden increase in equine influenza outbreaks this month. A reminder of how quickly this highly contagious illness can spread.

Knowing the signs and acting quickly can help protect your horse and others on your yard.

Look out for:
🌡️ A temperature above 38.5°C
🐴 A frequent dry, harsh cough
💧 Nasal discharge
🥕 Loss of appetite
💤 Lethargy
🩺 Swollen or painful glands around the jaw
🌾 Gagging when eating

If you notice any of these signs, isolate your horse straight away and contact your vet promptly.

📲 Download our poster and share it on your yard to help everyone take simple steps to prevent the spread of disease ➡️ https://bit.ly/4fqaxlk

Happy 23rd Birthday to the wonderful Tally! 🎂🥳

You would never know his age! He is still the ultimate dressage schoolmaster, patiently teaching everyone the ropes of half-pass, shoulder-in, and flying changes. He is truly the perfect gentleman. 🦄❤️

Swap Exam Overwhelm for "Stable" Serenity 🌿 🐴

Is the exam season starting to feel overwhelming?
We can provide a "positive, calm" environment where young people can find their feet again.

Exam anxiety can make young people lose sight of their potential. Working alongside our horses can help them discover the therapeutic power of connection and grow in confidence when they need it most.

Our bespoke horse-based support helps young people reach their potential socially, emotionally, and academically, providing a nurturing escape from the pressure.

We can provide a calm place where young people can truly be themselves and grow in confidence and self worth during this challenging season.

The Details:
o Duration: 60 or 90-minute bespoke one to one or small group weekly or fortnightly sessions.
o Availability: Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
o Prices start at £50.00 per hour and are is based on duration and support needs.

Contact Lis Cooper for further information or to visit and find out more about what we can offer.

Lis Cooper, Education Manager on 07887 344 755
📧 Email: [email protected]

From peaceful naps and scratches in the paddock with friends to productive sessions in the outdoor arena, our horses and minis are absolutely loving this shift in the weather. 🐎💛

Tally and Felix especially enjoyed "strutting their stuff" in their lessons today! It’s just so wonderful for all of us, humans and equines alike, to be back outside soaking up the sunshine together. 😎

Wishing you all a relaxing, sunny weekend! 🥂✨

Strangles Awareness Week’s quick guide.