HorseBack UK
A story of resilience, recovery, and real-world impact. An inspiring documentary exploring the healing power of horsemanship.
About the Film
Synopsis
Our documentary spotlights HorseBack UK, a groundbreaking charity based in Aboyne, Scotland, that uses horsemanship and equine-assisted learning to help people rebuild confidence, resilience, and trust after trauma.
Through their programmes, HorseBack UK supports military veterans, emergency service personnel, and young people – offering them a safe space to reconnect with themselves and others.
This project took our team on a two-part journey to Aboyne in Scotland to capture the breadth and depth of that impact.
The film takes viewers on a journey through HorseBack UK’s transformative programmes:
- The King’s Trust Youth Development Programme – A 12-week course for young people currently out of education or employment, focusing on personal development, horsemanship, community projects, and employability. Participants work towards recognised qualifications including the SQA Level 3 Personal Development and Employability Skills, SQA Level 4 Personal Development through Horsemanship, and The John Muir Discovery Award.
- Veterans Residential Course – A dedicated programme for former military personnel, many living with PTSD, who learn to rebuild trust and resilience through working with horses. The film captures their journey of reconnection, as they form bonds with both horses and fellow participants.
The Client
About HorseBack UK
Horseback UK is a charity started in 2009 by Emma and Jock Hutchison over 19 years ago. Some military friends who came back from Afghanistan came over and spent some time with Emma and Jock in the beautiful countryside with the horses and one of the veterans said it would be a great idea for guys to decompress coming back from war. And so the charity was born. Since then they have been helping Military veterans, children and young adults with using horsemanship as the driving healing factor.
Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust
Sir Peter O’Sullevan was widely known as the “Voice of Racing.” He was the BBC’s leading horse-racing commentator for half a century, covering iconic events such as the Grand National and Royal Ascot with a distinctive style that made him a household name in the sport. Beyond broadcasting, he was deeply committed to equine welfare and the broader racing industry – his legacy extends far beyond the microphone.
The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust was established to honour his passion for animal welfare – particularly for horses – and to carry forward his dedication to the racing world’s humane side. Its core mission is to provide funding for organisations that support horse welfare, education, community engagement and the reintegration of racing-horses into new roles after their careers. Over the years, the Trust has distributed significant sums to equine charities and educational initiatives, reflecting Sir Peter’s lifelong belief that the sport thrives when the welfare of its equine stars is put first.
Funds for the film were kindly donated by The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, because they want to support a drive to promote the welfare of race horses and especially retiring racehorses. The Trust are specifically aligned to HorseBacks philosophy of rehabilitation, and the close link between veterans having to redefine either identity after leaving the military and racehorses having to redefine their purpose after years of racing.
“RaceHorse and Military Veterans have a very similar life, built from many years of discipline and achieving the peak of their physical performance, having to re adjust to life afterwards”
Jock Hutchison.
Many of the characters at Horseback UK were the inspiration for Agility Films new drama – The Healer. (link) which is now in film festivals around the world.
The Brief
Objective
The Trust supported Agility Films by funding the production costs to produce a cinematic short documentary that would:
- Showcase the impact of HorseBack UK’s programmes on both young people and veterans.
- Reflect the values of the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust and its dedication to welfare and education.
- Capture authentic, heartfelt moments that illustrate the connection between people and horses.
- Provide high-quality content suitable for use across digital platforms, charity presentations, and fundraising initiatives.
The Film
Filmed across HorseBack UK’s stunning countryside setting in Aberdeenshire, the documentary blends interviews, fly-on-the-wall storytelling, and cinematic visuals of participants working closely with horses.
We followed young people on their journey towards graduation – preparing presentations for family and friends, and engaging in community projects such as maintaining Commonwealth War Graves.
We then joined veterans on a residential course, where the camera observed powerful, unspoken connections between humans and horses – moments of vulnerability, trust, and recovery.
The film captures the essence of HorseBack UK’s mission: that working with horses can help people heal, rebuild confidence, and rediscover hope.
Digital Marketing
The film will form a central part of both HorseBack UK’s and the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust’s digital storytelling. The documentary also is aligned with the social marketing activity for our new Drama The Healer as it inspired many of the characters.
The documentary is used across websites, newsletters, and social media to raise awareness and funding.
It has also been edited into shorter clips for campaigns and events, supported by Agility Films’ ongoing promotional activity around social impact filmmaking and equine-assisted therapy.
Key Outcomes & Conclusion
This collaboration represents the coming together of three shared visions – the Trust’s belief in equine welfare, HorseBack UK’s transformative programmes, and Agility Films’ commitment to telling stories that matter.
The result is a heartfelt documentary that captures resilience, human connection, and the healing power of horses.
To the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, thank you for your support and trust in our storytelling.