Tea Break

Time for a break between drives, to relax for a frindly chat with clients and carers over a cup of tea.

Harness Maintenance

Harness is expensive and needs to be kept in tip-top condition so it is never put away dirty. 

Equine Maintenance

Besides daily grooming, a farrier visits every 6 to 7 weeks to replace the horses' shoes and keep their feet in good shape for the ten months that they are working. Their shoes will be removed in the winter when the horses have a well earned holiday for two months.

Essential Maintenance

Bicycles are used to escort the carriage drives. With anything up to 15 drives in a week the fleet of bicycles need to be regularly maintained. 

A common sight at 8.00 a.m.

A common sight at 8 o'clock in the field alongside the Ash Tree stables. There is a herd of some 250 Sika deer with a good proportion of an unusual white variety like the one in the middle of the picture. At this time of the year they are frequent visitors to the fields near all the buildings.
Rutting begins soon. The stags start rounding up the hinds at this time of the year and I understand that the horses are in danger of occasional injury by aggressive stags.

A wheelchair client guiding Charlie Brown between the cones of a small trial course. 

Mondays are training days. Volunteer helpers are given instruction in all aspects of horse care, from knowing the points of the horse to identifying every piece of the harness and how it should be fitted; also the procedures for getting wheelchairs in and out of the specially adapted Bennington carts and securing them for a safe ride.
Safety is paramount, so it is important that every member of the team knows what to do in the event of a mishap.
Wally Pitt's experience in the Household Cavalry means that the training for helpers is second to none. His patience, sense of humour and teaching ability make the yard a happy place for all involved and I feel privileged to be a part of all this. The real reward for Wally and his team of helpers is seeing the pleasure and excitement in all the clients each day. 

Marmite Leading Out.

Wally Pitt leading Marmite with Maggie following behind. 

Riding Out

A gentle hack through the woods on one of the many trails. 

Riding Lessons

Fridays are riding days. Maggie in the arena. 

Holton Lee Show 6th Aug 06

Charlie Brown doing his bit in the show ring. 

Holton Lee Show 6th Aug 06

Marmite and Maggie being judged in the class for wheelchair users. 

Holton Lee Show 6th Aug 06

Maggie being put through her paces in the wheelchair users class. 

Holton Lee Show 6th Aug 06

Maggie and Felix being looked over by the judge. 

Maggie with her young driver in the ring. 

Holton Lee Show 6th Aug 06

Felix waiting for his class in the show. 

Setting off for a drive into the wonderful countryside. Always 3 helpers escorting on bicycles. 

Next Up - Felix

Felix is a 15hand Haflinger - a delightful steady character. Half asleep here, he enjoys the activities of both riding and driving.

Securing the breeching straps to the shafts of one of the specially adapted carts that are able to carry either ambulant or wheelchair drivers. 

Harness on and Putting To

Maggie, harnessed up and being prepared for the first drive with Tim.
All aspects of harnessing and putting to the carriage are taught in meticulous detail by Wally, an ex-Household Cavalry officer. 

Tea break over, it's time to prepare for the morning driving or riding sessions.
First up, meet Maggie getting a thorough grooming.