Our Horses - IMG_3124b

Hamlet

21 year old Irish Draught X gelding, Born in 1988 in Ireland. He served with the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery in London before retiring to work as a School master at the Army Veterinary Centre Melton Mowbray. IMG_8686bWe got Hamlet on Christmas Eve 2002 and drove him to Germany (Best Christmas present ever), Hamlet had been suffering with lameness for five months due to tendon problems. After some detailed pin point Vet care by our friend Dr Gunter Graf and superb shoeing by Herman Meier our German Farrier, Hamlet was on the road to recovery. He was fully fit again in five weeks. Since then Hamlet has competed in every equestrian field from Hunting, Team chasing, Show jumping to IMG_8261bDressage. He enjoys all his work and is loved by all, we as a family are extremely proud of Hamlet and give him everything he could ask for. Hamlet is the power in the team and is superb in traffic ( All those early mornings in London). He feels he owns the road and is sure footed. He loves Polo's and Coke, so be sure to bring some when you come to visit us.

 

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Hank

10 year old Hannoverian gelding, born 1999 in Herford Germany and was broken to harness in 2003. We bought Hank in September 2005 as a driving horse (Zoe's best christmas present ever). This was with the intention of training him to saddle as he had been lightly backed. Hank was working as part of a young team trIMG_1440bying to reach the heights of FEI driving, however Hank was to slow and nodded his head like the Churchill dog (LOL). He was to be sold on as the stables he was at required one horse to be kicked out. We were told of Hank by our friend and local Dressage Judge Claudia Dornhof, we tried him and it was love at first sight as he stuck his head out sideways through the bars of his tiny stable (coulden't swing a cat). Broke every rule and fell in love with him as he was so soppy looking. Hank was a little stropy to begin with, but soon got the hang of it and worked really hard. He has competed in all equestrianPicture7b activities from Hunting, team chasing, show jumping to dressage. He enjoys his food and is doted on by his Mummy. Hank has turned into a superb family horse and extremely good at show jumping. The kids and friends love to ride him as he is so smooth. Hank is the elegant one in the team and we are so proud of him, he loves to be patted and groomed so bring him a carrot when you visit us. 

 

                  

PICT0203b Hebe

Hebe is a 4 year old Irish Draught X Mare, Born in Annan Scotland in 2005 and bread at the Dunlop Stud just outside Annan. When we decided to purchace a third horse to work along side Hamlet and Hank we looked far and wide. we looked at PICT0213byoung & old, untrained & trained horses alike. We only popped to the Stud as it was on our doorstep (so glad we did). Thats when we saw Hebe, Her colour and size were a perfect match & she will fit in nicely between the boys. Hebe has just started her training (23/06/08) and is learning very quickly, she started with some join up work, then onto some Parelli style one to one sessions. We have now moved onto lungeing and Long Line work. She is a sweet natured young mare and has a bright future ahead of her. 27/06/08 hebe comming on well, she is now taking the bit and working on the long lines very well. We layed on her today and then sat up, (Boy was i scared - but nothing) big gilrs blouse. Hebe was then rode around the pen for 5 minutes and never batted an eye lid. 28/06/08 Hebe worked on Lunge to day by Zoe and then rode for 10 minutes by simon then walked outside with zoe on her for the first time - go Hebe.

2/7/08 Hebe now riden daily for about 20 minutes, we are also working on getting her used to the bridle and different tack.

4/7/08 Hebe now Hacking out on her own with Zoe, they out for about 45 minutes a day now.

6/7/08 Hebe met the boys for the first time today, the children rode Hamlet and Hank down to the farm where they met Hebe and Zoe. Without any fuss off they went for a hack, when they got back Hebe and Hamlet stood next to each other and looked great.

7/7/08 The children are now riding Hebe and she is so good its as if she has been ridden for years.

11/7/08 Hebe's older brother by 2 years was selected and purchased by the British Army, is now training to be a Cavalry Black, after his training he will serve in London (just as Hamlet did). Her brother was sold and went to Ireland last year unbroken. Just shows the quality of her breeding and how much a small world it is.

3/8/08 Hebe is now working with Hank pulling the Waggonnette, we will introduce the Victoria on Saturday.

Hebe a huge Success -                     Hebe at the Anvil Hall Gretna with Hamlet

Hebe is now fully working in the Carriage and as at 4th October has now driven in 8 weddings from the World Famous Blacksmiths at Gretna Green, The Mill Kirkpatrick Flemming, Anvil Hall Gretna and even through Carlisle town centre, not even bothered about all the Saturday heavy trafic. Hebe is really enjoying herself pulling the carriage, she is a superb little mare. The children ride her out every night, past traffic - no problems, past bins and dogs - no problem, she even now goes leader for the other 3 year olds we are breaking, she is just so safe.

Some horses never in their lifetime ever achieve greatness or fill their potential, well Hebe has, she is on a level that some horse owners can only dream of.

 

 

 

 
 
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