HAPPY HORSES

Facilities

The horses at Hellwood live in large airy boxes around the farm, or in a large well ventilated American style barn. There is an outdoor school, covered horsewalker, dozens of turn out paddocks, and the gallops are a short hack through woodland. There is a ratio of one lad or lass to three or four horses, so each horse has the best of care and attention.

As Hellwood is also a Stud, many of the racehorses were bred on the farm. "It's a real bonus to have known the horses from foals and to have had a chance to get to know their characters and any quirks" says Richard Whitaker, whose family have been here for generations. 2010 saw an impressive 9 individual homebred winners of 16 races.

The horses are led through starting stalls from a very early age to ensure that they are not frightened at the racecourse. The horses are usually taken to gallop at a local racecourse before their first proper race.

Any horses ailments are treated by veterinary surgeons Stirk and Associates Ltd, one of the best equestrian vets in the country. Muscular problems are treated by top physiotherapist, Janet Ellis.

There are three horseboxes 'stabled' at Hellwood, one a superb 2006 model, to transport the horses safely and comfortably to their destination.

Copyright 2011 Richard Whitaker