Long-distance rider

Louis D Hall on the tragedy that inspired him to set up a charity, The Big Hoof, how horse travel blows his mind - and why we should let go of whatever is holding us back

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I grew up on a small farm in Fife and we had two ponies, but I didn't like riding as I associated it with lots of rules. This changed when I went to Mongolia when I was 18. Two friends and I set out to find the Tsaatan tribe.

You needed horses to reach them, so we bought four ponies to ride and carry our things. This slow and natural way of travelling blew my mind; you saw horses as companions, rather than vehicles, and they completely relied on each other.

My journey across Britain on horseback originated from feelings of frustration after the pandemic. I wanted to show that strangers are not potential health threats and that adventure still exists.

I hired a pony called Irelanda and set off from John o'Groats to Land's End, a 1,147-mile journey lasting 57 days. What started as a solitary journey ended up being a wonderful series of connections with people who joined me, helped me and offered places to stay.