Impact

Next to organising life-changing trekkings in the outdoors, The Big Hoof aims to have a wider impact; using lectures, talks, podcasts, film, writings or events as our instruments to induce social change.

As a team, we spread the word about the transformative power of the horse through public speaking, educate people about problematic mental health stigmas, promote sustainable travel and inspire to live life a little less straight-laced and a little more outdoors!

Charities we support

James’ Support Group & Ewen’s Room

From 18-24th May, 2024, we journeyed 80 miles across the western Highlands in support of two suicide prevention charities in Scotland. 14 participants and 4 horses joined the 6-day journey. All funds raised support the charities’ mission in mental health education in primary schools, group sessions across the Highlands, and 24-hour call service for those in need of support.

We left the shores of Loch Tay and made our way north to the beautiful Corrour station house. There we were joined by 14 participants. We camped out on Corrour estate and then headed into the Highlands. The week that ensued was one of the most challenging, remote, wild and unique journeys The Big Hoof have encountered. We rode along the side of lochs, into Highland villages, through deep-green glens, over the magical Glenfinnan pass and into Strontian. On our last day we were met by 60 primary school children and were piped over the finish line! That night we had a wee party with a Highland band, beer and talks and films from the charities.

“Participation in the Highland Journey was humbling - not only to be one of the charities chosen but to be surrounded by the lovely people taking part. On the first day, from Corrour, we stopped for lunch by the water - watching the horses in the waves and having one of them walk up to me for a cuddle was just wonderful. A memory that will stay with me for a long time. I am very grateful for my own personal experience but also on behalf of our charity which will be able to continue thanks to the effort of Louis, Kiki and everyone else who was involved at The Big Hoof.” Patrick Mullery, Founder of James’ Support Group.

Funds raised: £7,500

Turquoise Mountain Foundation

In October 2021 we rode 100 miles from Longrock Beach, Cornwall, to the Duke of York pub in Devon, to raise vital funds for the Turquoise Mountain Foundation. This 5 day ride was joined by more than 30 other participants. Founded in 2006 by His Majesty King Charles II, TMF has now built over 50 small businesses in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East, supporting a new generation of artisan entrepreneurs who will not only drive economic development, but also preserve their unique cultures and tradition

“Over the last year, your emergency support allowed us to continue our programs (with minimal disruption) and serve our artisan communities at their time of greatest need. Today, we are continuing our work running the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture, three primary schools, a community health clinic, and livelihood programmes supporting thousands of artisans across the country.” Percy Stubbs, Director of Advancement, Turquoise Mountain Foundation

Funds raised: £3,500

Venture Trust

On the 3rd July, 2023, we started our first FareWays journey, from St. Andrews to the island of Iona to raise funds for Venture Trust. Venture trust supports adults and young people who are struggling with involvement in Scotland's criminal justice system, long term unemployment and mental health and wellbeing issues. The Big Hoof particularly raised funds for their innovative Outdoor Therapy Programme, which aims to support people by combining the full range of benefits from time in nature and the outdoors with professional therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing.

The 12 day ride saw over 40 people join, with ages ranging from 8 to 69. We were honoured and delighted to welcome a Venture Trust delegation of 8 people on the ride itself, enabling us to experience the unifying and inspiriting powers of the horses together. With thanks to The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust & Gravis Advisory Ltd.

“The Big Hoof aligns perfectly with our charitable objectives and their Pilgrim Fundraising event was an exceptional way to demonstrate just that. But this was more than a fundraiser, this was an opportunity for a group of our past participants to join the big Hoof Team for a day as they travelled from Perth, heading north. It was beautiful to see our participants riding the horses, talking with the team, generally enjoying the freedom of the great outdoors, and sharing their experiences of Venture Trust.” Gavin Sinclair, Head of Fundraising, Venture Trust

Funds raised: £5,500

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

In 2020 we rode 1147 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise funds and awareness for the CF Trust. This ride was made in memory of Leo van Heyningen, who died aged 26, and formed the beginning of The Big Hoof journey. This ride took 57 days. The CF Trust is a UK-based national charity founded in 1964, dealing with all aspects of cystic fibrosis. It funds research to treat and cure CF and aims to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with cystic fibrosis.

“Keep going , your work is invaluable . From a nurse working in respiratory.” Lucy

“I have CF so I want to thank you from the CF community! Happy and safe riding!” Meg

“It’s simply staggering what you are doing for people suffering from CF! Well done and keep going!” Camilla

“I heard you on the Zoe Ball breakfast show. I’m a CF mummy to a beautiful 5 year old boy. A thousand thank yous for all you are doing! Good luck!” Evonne

Funds raised: £38,700

Amna

In 2022 we rode 2789km in 110 days from Siena, Italy to Cape Finisterre, Spain to raise awareness for mental health sufferers around the world, and, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to raise funds for refugees and their trauma. Founded in 2016 as the Refugee Trauma Initiative, Amna specialises in supporting the psychosocial wellbeing of refugees and other displaced communities.

“With the help of your funds raised we launched our programme in early March 2022 comprising: Introductory Training to set up safe spaces – online 3 hour introductory sessions (already running as part of our Afghanistan response) set out informing principles and basic practice when establishing a safe space for refugees. Selfcare for frontline staff – frontline staff come together to share their experiences and look after their own mental health, so they are better able to help others. Strengthening existing safe spaces and services – organisations already providing emergency responses have an opportunity to strengthen their programmes by integrating trauma informed approaches into ongoing work supported by small grants to facilitate implementation.” Amna.

Funds raised: £8,000

The British Horse Society

After completing our 1147 mile ride down the length of the UK, we held a paid online talk to share our routes, our tips on horsemanship and the highs and lows of our journey, in a hope to inspire others to get out with their horse and fundraise for a cause close to their heart.

“What you are doing is incredible and doing it with your beautiful horse is mind blowing. The planning ... fitness and days ahead is going to be awesome, well done, keep going.” Josephine Mcewan

“What an inspiring & amazing act of kindness & generosity! And what a beautiful horse.” Jasmine

Funds raised: £4,000

The Museum of the Mind

In 2022 Dutch rider and filmmaker Kiki Ho joined The Big Hoof ride across Europe. She aimed to fight against the stigma that surrounds mental health and to celebrate neurological diversity. Kiki fundraised for The Museum of the Mind, an organisation has been awarded European museum of the year 2022.

“We would like to thank Kiki very much for sharing her beautiful, vulnerable and impressive story, but certainly also for the fantastic donation she was able to collect for our museum. Together we decided to use this donation for our youth education program in memory of her extraordinarily talented sister.

”As a foundation, we believe in a society in which, when your mind works differently than normal, you are heard and seen and can participate on the basis of equality. Our museums give a voice to people in society who were previously not represented in the cultural landscape.” Museum of the Mind

Funds raised: £8,500

Social Impact

Over 400 people have participated in our rides from 6 different countries. Our rides are open to individuals and groups from all backgrounds - ages have have ranged from 7-70 years old. We encourage and facilitate those with divergencies and disabilities.
Our stories and message has been covered by press through TV, radio, magazine and newspaper in 6 different countries across the world: USA, France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Scotland and England.
On average we reach 15k accounts on social media each month, sharing our stories, photographs and mission for adventure and better mental health.

Direct Impact

Raised over £90,000 for UK and European charities focussing on mental health, wellbeing, refugee welfare and life-threatening illnesses.
Travelled over 5,000km through 5 different countries, spreading our message of hope and wellbeing.
Created the first conclusive riding trail across the Ligurian Alps.
Created the first conclusive riding trail from Italy to Spain.
As a member of the international Long Rider’s Guild, our guides and journals have provided the information required for people all over the world to make a life changing journey for themselves.

Read it to believe it… words from our participants

Radio & podcast

‘Highlands with horses’
BBC Radio 4 Open Country episode with Mary-Ann Ochota
‘Big Boys don’t Cry’
BBC Alba - Derek Murray speaks to people about the impact of losing a loved one through suicide.
‘The Everyday Adventure Podcast’
with Nicki Bass
‘Running on Joy Podcast’
with Francesca Godwin

‘Our conversation traverses the moving backstory behind his first adventures; becoming an architect of your own reality; necessity of action; old tales in a new language; the humanising nature of suffering; creative connection through movement l; creating space for others; the humbling relationship between man and horse, and what it means to be a pilgrim. Following our conversation I felt excited and inspired for the future of The Big Hoof and the platform that Louis is creating to discover the vulnerable places within ourselves from where true strength emerges.’

Public Talks

Animal Assisted Intervention Symposium

On the 28th of September 2024, Kiki had the honour to give the opening lecture for the yearly AAI [Animal Assisted Intervention] Symposium at the University of Applied Sciences in Dronten (NL).

In her talk, she gave an in-depth description what role the presence of horses played in her personal experience of complex grief. Drawing upon the transformative power of the animal, and horses in particular, Kiki explained how the Europe ride had deeply influenced her outlook on life and eventually brought her to work for The Big Hoof - putting her own experience into practice for others. The audience mainly consisted of AAI and other mental health professionals.

Equine therapy, art therapy, and outdoor therapy are often regarded as occupational and non-essential. These types of intervention can however be extremely effective, especially in preventing escalation.

Royal Geographical Society

This October, Louis gave a micro-lecture at the Royal Geographical Society in London. The talk focused on what it was like to create the first conclusive horse trail across the Ligurian Alps, riding 2000 miles through Europe on horseback, charity journeys and how accidentally discovering a tribe in Mongolia started it all!

The RGS microlectures is an inspiring evening of short talks, which brings together a selection of speakers chosen via an application process that is open to all, including non-members of the Society.

Ampleforth College
read more here

This talk was directed at students in their last year at school. With change about to come, Louis focused the talk on trusting in the unknown and trying to appreciate the journey itself - not giving too much weight to the outcome. Using both his own experiences post-school, and the brave story of Don Quixote as a centre point, Louis showed that there is no right way to take the next step. He attempted to explain that, despite the ominous openness of the next stage being perhaps overwhelming, with expectations and an increased solitude, it is also an invitation for freedom. Ultimate freedom to discover more about the world and oneself. Louis also hoped to show that no one is alone, that it is ok to try and to fail, as long as we keep trying. Good will come!

Cargilfield Prep School
read more here

Directed at pupils between 8-13 years old, this talk reflected on adventures big and small. Using anecdotes from The Big Hoof journeys, Louis reveals successes and mistakes and how important both can be. He attempted to bring alive the wonder of the horse - how far they can take us, both in spirit and in physical strength.

Kendal Mountain Festival
read more here

Using videos and photographs from the 2022 journey across Europe, this talk described how it came about, the difficulties faced on the way, and an analysis of the concept 'adventure’ itself. Using particular examples Louis attempted to portray the technicalities of undertaking a long ride with a horse, and appeal to the 'adventurers' in the room - anything is possible! Importantly, with the audience being primarily interested in mountaineering, Louis discussed the extraordinary capabilities of the horse, man's relationship to this ancient friend of ours, and how travel with an animal perhaps adds a greater depth to this natural, slow way of moving. With the culture of outdoor sports transfixed by achievements and end-goals, Louis suggest that the horse allows one to be in the present, removed from the past and the future.