We Offer:

• Free Assessment
  Bring your horse to our Yard, for a no obligation assessment. Contact us for more details.
  
  
• Handling

  We believe that before a horse is backed it should be happy to be groomed, tied up, to load, and to be attended to by the farrier. We can help with this.

• Breaking – your horse will be lunged, long reined and loose schooled. We will ensure that suitable tack is used and check that the horse is physically developed enough before we move onto backing, riding in the school and going out for short hacks. You can then, depending on the horses' maturity either turn it away or continue light work back at your own yard.

• Schooling - for the recently backed horse, we introduce him to self carriage, smooth transitions and basic pole and cavelliti work. We can also cover road work in the quiet lanes around the farm.

• Join us at any stage

It may be that you would want to do some of the work before you come to us, or perhaps you have become 'stuck 'and would like the reassurance of experienced riders and some help as you progress. Every stage can be catered for.

• Any size pony or horse
  
  

Care of Your Horse

Your horse will be stabled with daily turn out in post and rail paddocks with a quiet companion.

Your Role

You are welcome to and encouraged to visit your horse and attend schooling sessions. We are happy for you to play a small or large role in breaking and schooling, taking advantage of the facilities we have here. Accommodation can be arranged in our self catering cottages.

Our Riders

We are justly proud of our staff and their 'can do ' attitude. They have access to experienced and accredited trainers and frequent lessons. They will always put the horses first – for example, if they were due to carry out a first backing on a hot day, then they would wait until the evening when it was cooler.

They believe and practice reward when the horse has made an effort.

Our riders are fit and 'nimble'. They have soft hands and are gentle but effective riders.

Most of all they enjoy what they do.

Our Facilities

Please click on the 'Equestrian Centre' picture on the right to learn more about our facilities.

Our Philosophy

We will learn about your horse before we break him. He may be a quick learner, a nervous type, or one with attitude – we treat every horse as an individual and their training programme is revisited after every session.

May 2010

Duchess - One of our Customers

27th August 2010

Here is Duchess, a 3 year old Irish Draught mare who has just arrived from Chester. Duchess has come to Hurstwood Farm for Breaking and Schooling.

This picture shows Duchess with Simon Knight – who co-owns her with his girl friend

Ruby Read.

We'll keep you updated with her progress, for now she's going to have a quiet weekend to settle in.