HORSE trainer and equine expert Emma Massingale, from Holsworthy, has returned home from a ‘world first’ adventure ‘horseboarding’ across the Outer Hebrides.

The Eriskay pony breed is named after one of the islands in the Outer Hebrides, so Emma decided it was only appropriate to take along her two Eriskay ponies, Noah and Storm, to complete this latest challenge.

Once again, she tackled it head on and spent a month camping out and horseboarding around the Outer Hebrides behind her Eriskays and her little dog Inca. As part of her adventure she had to forage and fish for food to maintain her strength for the physically draining activity.

She said: “Wow, what an adventure! The Outer Hebrides are truly breathtaking and there are natural treasures around every corner. Ten islands explored, six causeways crossed and around 185 miles covered!

“We finished filming at the Butt of Lewis. It was a world first to travel like this and I loved horseboarding with Noah and Storm, while carrying Inca on my back. The Eriksays have learnt a lot — there’s nothing like training on the job. I always try and prepare for a trip but until you’re actually living it, you never really know what you have let yourself in for!”

Emma added: “A big thank you to my fiancé Jeremy, who helps with all the logistics, leaving me to concentrate on ponies.”

This was Emma’s third equine adventure where she has taken a native pony breed back to its place of origin. Firstly she transported her Connemaras to a remote Irish Island for a month; then trekked coast to coast across Scotland with her Highlands; Albert and Ernie went back to the Shetland Islands by sailboat; and now the Eriskays have gone back to their roots in the Outer Hebrides.

Emma has demonstrated the mental and physical strengths of each breed and the often surprising ways they are adapted to live and thrive in their native environments. The majority of indigenous British ponies are endangered.

Emma is hoping to demonstrate, in a very practical way, just how versatile and low maintenance the various breeds can be compared to their larger horse equivalents — they are literally built to withstand the challenges of their native environments.

Follow Emma’s adventure with the three-part broadcast being shown on the One Show later this summer.