My Journey Bigboyz handmade horse treats

I was introduced to horses before I could walk. My late sister held me upright, (in my nappy and romper suit) on the saddle of her horse as a baby. From that day I have always had a horse in my life.

I was lucky enough to live on the coast so had many many happy hours galloping along our beautiful coastline.

After 30+ years of riding, instructing RDA children and breaking in more horses than i can remember, my life took a dramatic change. One Sunday whilst out with a group of friends on a wonderful 'fun ride', My horse 'BIG BOY' (better known as Yankee) lost his footing going thru a small ditch, and being such a wonderful animal decided to try and re-seat me from his neck by throwing his head back. Sadly in that split second I was thrown up into the air and landed head first into the ground.

As a result of my head plant I suffered 2 breaks in my neck @ C2 & C4, also known as the hangman's break!.

After 2 months in THE BEST spinal hospital in the UK if not Europe, that being The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, I slowly regained the ability to walk due to sheer will and determination. 

Within a matter of days I stepped up to the mounting block, and with my neck brace on got back in the saddle and walked Yankee around the yard. This was by far the biggest emotional challenge I had ever dealt with and looking back was 100% the correct way of regaining confidence in riding. In the following months I even rode Yankee to my wedding day!! (as pictured above).

Whilst off work I filled my time with making treats for my horse and others in my circle of friends. They became so popular that it wasn't long before many of the other livery's asked if they could purchase these treats and so started BIGBOYZ handmade horse treats named after my 16h American quarter horse  cross.

We all have journeys to travel and hurdles to jump, but sometimes good things come out of something so bad.

Our Bigboyz horse treats are handmade with fresh ingredients and are tested by BIG BOY himself.

Leanne Walsh