Raycroft Stud

18/12/2024

Catch me if you can!
We've made the decision to put Astraea and Ace together for a 2025 foal 😍

It might take some time for her to agree with our plan but in the meantime they will dance around each other until the time is right. Astraea is a maiden mare so Ace will have to do some smooching and strut that gorgeous mane about to convince her.

15/12/2024

Did you know that Dales Ponies make the most awsome ride and drive workers?
Here's Roandale Rowley working the chains in the forest. This type of work is called Snigging. It's a traditional way to fell and remove timber without heavy machinery.

This is a preferred method of forestry management where less invasive and selective felling is required.

It's truly amazing to see ponies performing traditional jobs. Chain driving skills need to make it to my bucket list.

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13/11/2024

Raycroft Stud is seeking a casual stable hand 3 days per week (aprox 10hrs) with immediate start.

Duties Include:
• Making feeds and putting out hay
• Grooming ponies
• Checking and changing rugs
• Handling ponies in & out of stables
• Cleaning stables and sweeping
• Stacking hay
• Caring for our dogs and chickens in our absence

We are a working stud and have young stock, foals and a well mannered Stallion. You must have ABN and previous experience.

Days and times can be negotiated. Location: Dyers Crossing NSW, 2429.

12/11/2024

This little lady finally has a name!
Raycroft Echo is the spit of her full sister Davina and we just couldn't resist naming her as her sisters reflection.

Watch out for a photo glut of this black beauty coming soon. Just need the rain to pass long enough to let her dry out 🌧

23/10/2024

Two weeks old tomorrow. Foal games are in full swing. This little man has a name!

Meet Raycroft Elliatt, he's going to be a cracker! Legs to the sky, friendly and brave.

He will make 14.3hh and has SOoooo much future potential. He will be for sale as a gelding after weaning. All enquiries welcome. Deposit secures.

17/10/2024

Some recent comments on my shared posts got me thinking about how our equine breeds are connected. There have been many studies of equine DNA and there will be many more for years to come with compulsory DNA testing and breed societies using DNA to protect precious and rare lines that make the modern day purebreds.

This image fascinates me. It's from a veterinary study that compared horse breeds by strands of protein and microsatellite. I cant pretend that I absorbed every paragraph but this image really caught my attention.

Each of the labelled sections A-H shows its connection to those breeds nearest to it, then the larger tree shows the breeds connection to each other.

The point of me sharing this is to value why Dales Ponies are so unique and why I'm passionate about sharing them. I love all horses, the history of how horses have shaped and assisted man, and how we still hold such connections to a much wild but tameable beast. Each breed having its own historical story and impact on our modern day horses and ponies, some of which we will never know despite today's technology.

Where does your favorite breed sit on the equine tree?

16/10/2024

FOR SALE - Available now!
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15/10/2024

FOR SALE - Available now!

Raycroft Désirée Whole black yearling filly to make 14.2hh Registered Dales Pony Partbred - by Raycroft Achilles (Registered Dales Pony Society) out of Mountweld Governess (Registered Waler Horse Society). This stunning girl offers an outstanding opportunity to own a Large Mountain & Moorland for ...

15/10/2024

Raycroft Daleyza

Whole bay yearling filly to make 15.1hh
Registered Dales Pony Partbred - by Raycroft Achilles (Registered Dales Pony Society) out of Murrahoon Stormcloud (Registered Waler Horse Society).

This stunning girl offers an outstanding opportunity to own a Large Mountain & Moorland for a budget price.

Excellent movement, temperament and plenty of fine soft feather she's sure to be an eye-catcher in the showring or under saddle in your chosen discipline. We think she could go far in Dressage, Eventing or Equitation.

Well handled she hard ties, is good with farrier, lead, load, groom etc.

She comes with her Partbred UK Dales Pony Passport and is eligible for Partbred registration with Waler Horse Society of Australia.

Eligible for showing in partbred Mountain & Moorland show classes.

We hold frozen AI for a suitable Dales Stallion if this is of future interest.

15/10/2024

Raycroft Désirée

Whole black yearling filly to make 14.2hh
Registered Dales Pony Partbred - by Raycroft Achilles (Registered Dales Pony Society) out of Mountweld Governess (Registered Waler Horse Society).

This stunning girl offers an outstanding opportunity to own a Large Mountain & Moorland for a budget price.

Excellent movement, temperament and plenty of fine soft feather she's sure to be an eye-catcher in the showring, at equitation or under saddle in your chosen discipline. Also suitable for carriage driving.

Well handled she hard ties, is good with farrier, lead, load, groom etc.

She comes with her Partbred UK Dales Pony Passport and is eligible for Partbred registration with Waler Horse Society of Australia.

Eligible for showing in partbred Mountain & Moorland show classes.

We hold frozen AI for a suitable Dales Stallion if this is of future interest.

15/10/2024

Raycroft Stud has two amazing Dales x Waler yearling fillies for sale. Look out for their updated info here soon!

In the last of this year’s HOYS posts we’re bringing something a little different to the Dales Pony success stories.

The Society register a number of part-bred Dales Ponies each year, equines with at least 25% Dales Pony breeding. Crosses range from traditional cobs, to thoroughbreds, clydesdales, appaloosas, even Australian waler horses, and many others in between. Many of these part-breds go on to have huge success in different disciplines.

We’d like to say congratulations to all at Nipna Stud who have had huge success with registered part-bred Dales, Nipna King Midas. Owned by Anna Pennell, ridden by Sarah Parker, Nipna King Midas was 3rd and highest placed traditional in the Coloured Ridden Native/Cob/Traditional Horse of the Year sponsored by CHAPS (UK) / EJL Stud and Livery final.

Nipna King Midas is pure-bred Dales x traditional cob

📸 1st Class Images

10/10/2024

And then there were two!

Bay c**t out of Castledales Boudicea, by Hett Samson. So pleased to have 2 foals arrive safely for this season 🤎

09/10/2024

It's tiring being born...Let me sleep please.

Love the foal slippers!!

Did you know that foals are born with silky soft coverings on their hooves to protect the Mum during the birth? We don't always see them because they dry up quickly after the foal gets to its feet. But today its rainy and cold so the slippers are clearly visible. So cute!

09/10/2024

Went for a ride in the rain at 8am, came home at 11:30am to a whole Black filly foal.

Out of Bluebarn Elsie, by Raycroft Achilles
Still to be named 🖤🖤🖤

05/10/2024

We have some very exciting news to share!!

It is with great pleasure that we have been able to collaborate with Lyricwood Dales Stud to collect a rare but valuable selection of straws from Lyricwood Merlin which will soon be on its way to Australia!!

Merlin is half brother to Swanwick Tempest, who we sadly lost in the Melbourne quarantine station shortly after his arrival in 2019.

Merlin's addition to Raycroft assists us to expand the Dales Pony DNA in Australia. This valuable material is destined to be coupled with Bluebarn Elsie to give us a second unrelated line to future offspring of Castledales Boudicea.

Merlin holds significantly valuable DNA in the Dales population under the SPARKS program and he has now been gelded so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Look out for Merlin babies here at Raycroft in the coming breed seasons. We can't wait to see some little Merlin foals here in the near future 😍

21/09/2024

And whilst we build fences we are patiently waiting the arrival of Boudicea & Elsie's foals. Bo is ready to pop! Rugs off, last chance to give them a pamper this week. Fingers crossed for safe arrivals.