Old Town Riding School & Old Town Support Service

Sometimes you don’t need words, advice or answers… you just need your horse. 💜🐴

Since Dad passed, I’ve been trying to make more of an effort to find time to spend with my own horse — not for work, not because something needs doing, but simply for me.

Finding that time isn’t always easy when you’re juggling work, family and everything else life brings. But I’m learning to utilise my time more productively and make space for the things that help me too.

I love my horse. Sometimes they really are just what you need. 💜

“Breathe. Step back. Think. Then react.”

Such a simple reminder, but one we all need sometimes.

When emotions are high, it’s easy to react straight away. Taking even a few seconds to pause, breathe and give yourself a little space can make such a difference. 🧠✨

It doesn’t mean ignoring how you feel — it just gives you time to respond in a way that feels calmer and more in control.

🐴🩵 First Equine Wellbeing session back today

Today was all about a gentle restart after the summer break and easing back into the new academic year without pressure. 🌿

The focus was simply on checking in, reconnecting with the wellbeing work and spending calm, purposeful time with the horses. Sometimes noticing what a horse might need — quiet, rest, space or reassurance — can gently help a young person recognise what they might need too. 🐴💭

No pushing. No pressure. Just a calm first step back. 🩵

Could Equine Wellbeing Coaching be something that would help your child or young person?

Our sessions are child-led, groundwork-based and can support confidence, anxiety, emotional regulation, grief, change, friendships and self-esteem.

📞 To find out more or book, please email Laura at [email protected]

🩷🐴 Monday Wellbeing

A new week doesn’t have to mean rushing straight into everything.

Sometimes the best way to start is to slow things down, take a breath and focus on what’s in front of you. 🌿✨

You don’t have to have the whole week figured out today.

Just take it one day at a time.

One job.
One conversation.
One little win.

And if Monday feels a bit heavy, that’s okay too. You can still have a good week without having a perfect start. 🩷

The horses are always a good reminder of that — stay present, respond to what’s happening now, and don’t worry too much about five steps ahead. 🐴

Here’s to a gentle Monday and a positive week ahead. 🌻

🩷 And just like that, another weekend is nearly over…

Time to reset, recharge and get ourselves ready for a new week ahead. 🌿✨

So, a little Weekend Check-In before Monday arrives…

How has your weekend felt?

A - Productive
B - Challenging
C - Calm
D - A bit of everything? 😂

Sometimes the weekend is full of jobs and getting things done, sometimes it’s exactly the rest we needed… and sometimes it’s a complete mixture of both.

Whatever yours has looked like, be kind to yourself. You don’t have to have achieved loads for the weekend to have been worthwhile. Rest counts too. 💜

For us, it’s time to enjoy the last bit of the weekend, get ready for the week ahead and hopefully have an early night… although we all know how that usually goes 😂🐴

Comment A, B, C or D below — how has your weekend been? 👇💛

Rest is not a day.
It is a permission.

Some people get Sundays.
Some people get Tuesdays.
Some people get a single hour when the house finally goes quiet or the shift ends or the kids fall asleep.

Some people do not get much at all.

Rest does not belong to the organised or the privileged. It belongs to anyone with a body that gets tired, a nervous system that stays alert too long, a heart that keeps carrying more than it should.

A rest boundary is the moment you stop offering yourself up to be used.

It might be turning your phone face down.
It might be eating without multitasking.
It might be sitting in your car for ten minutes before going inside.
It might be choosing not to explain yourself one more time.

This is rest too.

Rest is not the absence of effort. It is the absence of demand.

It is the moment your body realises it does not have to perform, respond, or hold everything together for anyone else.

There is no universal shape for it.
Quiet is rest for some.
Movement is rest for others.
Order is rest for some.
Simplicity is rest for others.

The only test is this: does it allow something in you to soften?

If the answer is yes, it counts.

You do not need to earn rest by finishing everything.
You do not need to justify it with productivity.
You do not need a specific day to deserve it.

Wherever you are, whenever you get the chance, you are allowed to put the weight down.

Even briefly.
Even imperfectly.
Even now.

💜 Sometimes we have to do things we don’t really want to do. 💭

Not because we’re ready. Not because it feels easy. But because sometimes it matters to someone else. 🫶

Maybe it brings back memories — good ones that ache, or harder ones that still feel a little tender. 💙 And even when you’ve known it’s coming, you can still get that knot in your stomach.

You can feel two things at once. 🌿

You can feel reluctant and still be brave. 💪
You can feel emotional and still show up. 🩵

Sometimes strength isn’t loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s simply walking through the door anyway because you want to support someone you care about. 🫶✨

Be gentle with yourself. Take a breath. 🌬️ Step outside for a moment if you need to. 🌿

Just like with horses, we don’t have to force the big feelings away. 🐴💚 Sometimes we just need to move through them gently, one step at a time. ✨

🎁🐴 Did you know we have a loyalty programme?

Book your lessons and activities through our online booking system and after 8 visits, you’ll receive 10% off as a little thank you for coming back to see us. 💛

It’s our way of rewarding our lovely regular riders and families for supporting Old Town. 🐴✨

📲 Book through our booking link:
https://book.heygoldie.com/OldTownRidingSchool

🐴💚 First week back after the summer!

We’ve only had around half of our young people back this week, with the rest starting next week, but it’s been so lovely having everyone back through the gates again.

It’s been really nice hearing all about their summers, catching up, seeing familiar faces and gently getting everyone back into a routine again. 🌿✨

A lovely first week back, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the rest of our young people next week and properly getting stuck into the new academic year.

For now though… we’re definitely ready for the weekend 😂💚

☀️🐴💛 And just like that… summer is over!

I honestly feel like these summer holidays have absolutely flown by!

As lovely as the break has been, we’re really looking forward to getting back into a routine, welcoming all of our young people back and starting the new academic year together. 💛

We can’t wait to hear all about everyone’s summer, catch up properly and get back to everything.🐴🌿✨

Here’s to a fresh start, new goals, new memories and another busy year ahead! 💙