FAQ’s

Who is responsible for the care of my horse?

We provide full livery (hay, straw, mucking out, and do the morning and evening feed*) for your horse but it is your responsibility to prepare them for the rides and any other handling/care. Your horse will stay in our roomy, traditional stone stables. We may be able to provide the use of single horse turnout paddocks, please enquire before arrival. *Your own hard feed must be brought with you.

If you are riding one of our horses, the horse will be fully prepared for you.

Weight limit for riders:

We have a 13 stone weight limit.

Insurance for riders:

You need to have public liability insurance and personal cover for you and your horse. We will require proof of these documents when you book. We recommend the BHS for rider insurance. If you are riding a horse we provide you will only need personal accident cover.

Farrier:

Please make sure your horse is recently shod. We recommend bringing a new fitted set of your horse’s shoes with you as spares. We cannot guarantee we can find a farrier at short notice… a lost shoe could ruin your retreat.

Group sizes:

The ideal group is 6 but we can accommodate up to 8 people. We welcome solo travellers that we would put into a mixed group of 6-8.

Accomodation:

Our traditional farm-workers cottage sleeps 3 people, or 5 for couples. You also have the option to hire out the whole cottage for private use.

We carefully select other local cottages, barn conversions and houses in addition to our cottage. These can also be booked for sole use. Please enquire further when booking.

Our farmhouse. Our farmhouse sleeps 3 single people or 6 sharing. The farm house is booked out for sole use to a group of friends or family. To be discussed when booking.

Relaxation:

We have a swimming pool and sauna which you are free to use whenever you wish. And we have the option for massages, which must be pre-booked before arrival.

Children:

If you book the riding retreat for your own party - minimum 6 people - children are welcome but they must bring their own ponies/horses.

Equipment for riders:

You must wear your own riding hat to the following UK/ European safety standard: PAS 015 (1998 or 2011) and VG1, with BSI Kitemark.

You must wear riding boots (footwear specifically designed for riding). Breeches/jodhpurs are recommended, and we advise you to wear a body protector and/or air vest.

We recommend that your kit is well broken in and tested before your retreat, there is nothing more uncomfortable than riding in a pair of stiff boots! This also goes for your tack, if you bring a horse. Please note we cannot be responsible for providing missing pieces of tack, or riding equipment. It is essential that you pack everything that you’re going to need throughout your stay.

Riding experience:

We can accommodate intermediate to advanced riders. Riders must be fit and able to cover open countryside at speed, over unpredictable, undulating ground. The group is only as fast as its slowest rider, so it is essential to be realistic with your experience.

Art experience:

We welcome all levels, beginner to professional.

Ride guides:

Your ride will be fully guided.

Bring your own horse:

Your horse must be fit enough to cope with 4-5 hours per day under saddle. They must be used to being ridden in a group, sensible in open spaces and comfortable crossing rough, uneven ground.

Riding times:

The ride will last for 4-5 hours with a lunch break halfway through.

Our horses:

We will do our best to provide you with a horse to meet your specifications.

Tack:

We use English saddles. We recommend you are comfortable riding English style before the retreat.

Riding ability

We offer riding retreats for all abilities and we always put groups together of similar abilities. We have a questionnaire for you in our itinerary to help us match you to the right horse. It is really important to be realistic when you answer the questions.