A very different Saturday to normal…
Usually Saturdays are filled with the sound of laughter and lessons, today it’s been the aroma of disinfectant!
At the field we’re treating all surfaces to prevent reinfection, as ringworm spores can survive on wood for many months. We’re doing the same at Stepney. The stables were treated yesterday, today all of the enrichment, agility and jumping equipment has been treated as well as the outdoor arena fencing. As the majority of the herd are in the field, we’re also poo picking each day. With 13 horses out it’s a lot of poo!
The horses and ponies are all being treated every three days so they’ll all be treated again tomorrow. Whilst some are more itchy than usual, they generally seem unconcerned and happy. Carrots kindly donated by j.r.holland_produce have been very well received! The low rainfall means grass growth is slow so we’re also putting additional hay out.
Mechanical horse lessons are still available even though ridden lessons are currently on hold. Additional slots are being added to meet demand. You can also donate via JustGiving (👇) to help us navigate this difficult period. Every little really does help to make up for lost lesson income.
HUGE thanks to everyone who has already contacted to offer support or donated. It honestly means the world to be supported by such a caring community of wonderful people.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sbsturns25?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL
Stepney Bank Stables
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Stepney Bank Stables is an urban equestrian centre in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. We run activity days, own your own pony days and internal competitions.
We provide the wellbeing benefits of access to horses to those who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Stepney Bank Stables Equestrian and Activity Club (EAC) is an inner-city project working with horses as part of the team to help young people develop across a broad spectrum of personal and social skills such as resilience, confidence, positive self-esteem and employability skills. The EAC w
06/08/2026
‼️ Important update‼️
Unfortunately we are dealing with a suspected outbreak of ringworm, a fungal skin infection that can affect both horses and humans. Ringworm is common and easily treatable. If you’ve been in contact with our horses and ponies in the last two weeks, please be vigilant for symptoms. There’s more information on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ringworm/.
We are acting quickly to contain the suspected outbreak and will be closed for riding lessons for the next 12 days whilst we treat the horses. Our staff team are currently working flat out to thoroughly deep clean all areas. Mechanical horse lessons will still be available as planned on Sunday and we will resume other non-ridden activities from Monday. Volunteer activities will resume from Tuesday. If you have a lesson booked, the credit will be put onto your ecpro account. If you would prefer a refund, please call the office on 0191 261 5544 or email [email protected] and we’ll arrange that. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and ask that you please bear with us during this difficult period.
This outbreak puts Stepney under significant financial pressure. We still have to care for our horses and pay our staff whilst being unable to generate revenue. If you are in a position to support us by booking a mechanical horse lesson (we’ll add additional sessions for the next 12 days) or by making a donation via our JustGiving page we’d be incredibly grateful (link in bio and at the end of this post).
Over the coming days our team will be working very hard behind the scenes to care for the horses, deliver non-ridden activities, plan ahead and get to all those jobs that we otherwise would never get around to! We’ll keep you updated as the situation progresses.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sara and the Stepney team
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sbsturns25?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL
05/08/2026
Summer Dressage Workshop!🧡
Today our riders got creative by designing their own dressage tests, choosing the perfect music, and then bringing it all together by riding their freestyle in the lesson. 🎶🐴🧡
Want to join us for the next one? We’d love to have you!
To book your on, please contact our office or email us [email protected]
🧡🧡🧡
05/08/2026
👀🏡 Axel – 14hh Coloured Cob, 11 years old
Axel joined the Stepney squad earlier this year but, sadly, we’ve found we’re not the right fit for him. He will benefit from more varied work and turnout than we are able to offer him.
He has three lovely paces, is good to hack, and will pop around a small course of fences. He would be best suited to a small adult or a confident teenager. He’s a lovely lad to care for and gets on well with other horses. He took part in the ‘Healing Power of the Horse’ event in the main Arena at Belsay horse trials and was totally unfazed by a big atmosphere, tannoy, flags etc.
Axel is currently based in Morpeth with one of our wonderful loan pony owners and can be viewed there by appointment.
Axel has lost an eye, but this does not affect him in any way and doesn’t stop him from enjoying his work.
For more information or to arrange a viewing, please email [email protected].
05/08/2026
We’re looking forward to this! Join us to learn more about the history of horses in Ouseburn. Dream has asked that tips be in 🥕 form.
Delivered in partnership with Stepney Bank Stables to celebrate their 25th anniversary, come along to next week's Summer Walk and discover the vital role horses played in shaping the Valley. This walk will explore how horses powered industry, transported coal and goods, and kept the city moving during the height of the industrial era. We'll also look at how the role of horses has evolved over time- from hardworking labourers and wartime companions during WW1 to today’s sporting, leisure, and therapy animals.
Lead by Dream the Pony. Dream is a Shetland pony. She is 19 years old, and loves to be scratched 🐴🐴🐴
Tickets at ouseburntrust.org.uk
04/08/2026
A wonderful night watching Stepney Western (plus archive film, The Stables and a sneak preview of Stepney Horror) at the Tyneside Cinema. Thank you to everyone who came and a huge well done to the young people who participated in the Q and A. Thank you as always to Harry Lawson for helping us tell our story and reach new audiences. Our orange hearts are full to bursting 🧡
04/08/2026
Captain and Kayleigh letting you know we have rare private lesson availability tomorrow 1-3. Please call the office on 0191 261 5544 to book in!
Our next demonstration 'Preparing the showing horse' is just around the corner on the 15th August. So we thought who better to tell you all about it than our host Jade Thompson.
We can't wait to see you all there! Tickets:
https://www.stepneybankstables.com/event-list
03/08/2026
Today we took a big step forwards with our reception revamp with installation of new information panels featuring our refreshed branding.
There’s always so much going on at Stepney it can be hard to succinctly describe what we offer and who we offer it to. Our new branding aims to address that. We now have 4 clearly defined strands of work:
Ride with us - quality equestrian coaching in riding and horse care for all ages and abilities.
Grow with us - our 8-18’s youth offer focused on volunteering, available evenings, weekends and school holidays.
Learn with us - Alternative Provision for children and young people who need an alternative to mainstream education.
Time with us - enjoy our beautiful facilities and equine friends through events, birthday parties, corporate volunteering, team building, room hire and more!
03/08/2026
There’s still time to apply!
🐴🧡🐴 Join our team 🧡🐴🧡
We’re looking for qualified coaches to join our team.
What we offer:
🐴A fun, supportive and fulfilling working environment. You’ll be helping us fulfill our mission to bring joy and enhance the lasting life chances of young people through caring for and riding horses.
🐴High standards of horse welfare and care. We work hard to ensure that the mental and physical needs of our horses and ponies are met. We view our horses as collaborators in our work.
🐴Training. As a team, we’re committed to life-long learning and development. We have in-house experts and bring in external facilitators to support our learning.
🐴Competitive salary packages.
🐴A comfortable working environment. All coaching takes place in our indoor arena or heated classrooms.
What we’re looking for:
🐴Coaches qualified to a minimum of BHS Stage 2 complete with Stage 3 lunge.
🐴Coaches who share our values of Fun, Kindness, Excellence, Accountability and Collaboration.
🐴Coaches who are passionate about horse welfare and sharing their passion, knowledge, and experience with the next generation.
🐴Coaches who are passionate about inclusivity.
We are open to applications from coaches looking for part-time or full-time employment. Some weekend and evening work will be required.
For an application pack or to arrange an informal chat please contact [email protected]
The closing date is Sunday 16th August
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Stepney Bank
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE12PN