Woolley Moor Equestrian

18/06/2025

We opened a new length of track this week, deep in the woods. I had to be very careful I didn’t sneak up on them and make them jump when I did evening checks! I love how they immediately come to their favourite human when I call them despite how lovely their home is. Today was really hot so the were indoors in the barn all day to escape the heat and the flies - very sensible horses.

18/06/2025

I am so glad to see this information is getting around now.

16/06/2025

I’ve always had an interest in keeping horses barefoot and over the years I’ve trusted and left hoof care in the hands of the professionals, who do care deeply about the horses in their care and really are doing the best they can. But what we know and thought we understood about hoof care is changing, it has to, it is totally unscientific to stand still and not grow and improve knowledge. I have been learning how to trim my own horses hooves and I’m hoping to begin a professional hoof care course very soon.

13/06/2025

Hi all

So many thanks for following us

We recently had a very reasonable request for information about whether there is a Woolley Moor at our location in Cornwall, UK.

No doubt this was because there is also a Woolley Moor in Derbyshire in the UK ….. so this was a very reasonable question!

So after a bit of digging…..

The modern OS map for the land where the WME horses live shows that Woolley Moor in North Cornwall extends to the land where our track and livery are located (3rd image).

After a bit of further digging into the history of Woolley Moor in Cornwall, we were excited to find a 1887-1905 OS map of Woolley Moor (image 1) showing the old A39 which is now the lay-by that leads to our main gates and also designating Woolley Moor.

Obviously our house built in 1927 and the equestrian facility completed between 2021-2024 are not shown on the Victorian map….where the land is designated as marshland - now drained by means of man made lakes - shown on the recent OS map (which are home to some rather large Carp, Roach and Rudd - we believe from keen amateur anglers who have spend time at WME chilling out fishing at the lakes).

Image 2 is courtesy of the latest Google Earth satellite photos of WME and shows how we relate to the original OS map of Woolley Moor in North Cornwall and perhaps also how more than 100 years have changed the local area.

On a slightly side note the river Tamar which forms the boundary between Cornwall and Devon starts on Woolley Moor as shown on the plaque in image 4 and the map of the Tamar river catchment in image 5.

So after a lot of homework we have discovered that WME is indeed on Woolley Moor where the river Tamar also has its source.

Happy days!!

10/06/2025

08/06/2025

🐎 New spaces available
🐎 Herd / track livery, here at Woolley Moor Equestrian -looked after by Sarah Foster (BHS qualified and yard owner). A full range of flexible livery packages are available that give you freedom depending on your schedule & your horse will benefit from true 365 day a year turnout in all weathers following the principles of forage freedom and friends to display natural happy horse behaviours.
🐴 floodlit 20m x 25m barn with ad lib hay, generous straw beds, mucked out and swept clean daily with fresh clean mains water.
🐴 Equine ‘park’, large paddocks with trees dotted about, ad-lib dust free wrapped hay in feeders and trickle nets with mud control mats 🐴 woodchip lounging area for rolling and sunbathing 🐴 15m x 25m hard standing on the shady side of the barn to get out of hot summer sun and flies
🐴summer track system winding round 20 acres of hilly woodlands with rotating access to woodland paddocks.
🐴 20m x 60m floodlit, well maintained fibre surfaced sandschool with a selection of wooden and plastic showjumps and beautiful countryside views
🐴comprehensive parasite control plan with regular paddock cleaning/poo picking
🐴use of 3.65m x 3.65m galvanised and composite boarding stables when needed
🐴 ideal set up for first time horse owners and lots of professional and experienced support if you are looking for your very first horse
🐴discounted lessons available from two BHS accredited professional coaches, Sarah Foster BHS stage 3 event coach and Katy Malone BHS stage 4 dressage coach. Qualified, experienced professionals who are first aid trained, DBS checked and up to date on CPD.
🐴 locked secure tack room, feed room, storage drawers.
🐴scenic quiet lane hacking with some off road tracks and bridleways
🐴 easy access of the A39 4 miles North of Kilkhampton and just 20 minutes from Bideford.
🐴fully insured
🐴all horses in the herd are barefoot, we can help transition yours to barefoot here
🐴 ideal environment for horses prone to or recovering from laminitis or other metabolic disorders
🐴 lots of support and encouragement if you are looking for a more natural approach to keeping your horse.
🐴 horses introduced gradually and safely into the herd with use of pens and separate paddocks
🐴 Woolley Moor Equestrian social events and equestrian clinics are planned after a successful 2024 season

Please do get in touch to discuss your requirements or to arrange a visit.

Messenger: Sarah Foster

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07411775852

🐴traditional stables and grass paddock livery is still available onsite run by Katy who we are delighted to host here at Woolley Moor Equestrian

06/06/2025

So …. Having posted recently about my totally non-specialist observations….

(I’m a doctor in the UK and until I met my wife had never been near a horse since I was a toddler on donkey rides!)….this was Tom (a Thoroughbred and sorry to say - yes we also have Jerry who is a Connemara…..so Tom & Jerry!).

Tom & all our other horses had enjoyed a life in comfortable stables - turned out into lush paddocks but as this video shows not always to the satisfaction of the individual horse who just wants to roll and behave naturally.

Since we opened a track and despite the ground being just as hard at the moment we have not seen and of this ground pawing - just horses lying down, sleeping as a herd, and occasionally rolling.

The horses also seem more nosey, communicative and keen to have human interaction since we gave them freedom to roam between barn and track.

As a non equine person it has been a joy to watch and I look forward to more - will try and find some video of Tom (and Jerry of course - he seems much more chill now too) and post it guys.

The stables livery has always worked well for our boys & girl but they just seem so much more ‘horse’ since we opened a track for them to roam with the barn to shelter in as they wish.

06/06/2025

This video from 5 years ago pops up every year on facebook memories, to my great delight! Tom loves rolling in muddy ground and in June 2020 it had been rock hard for months, he was really mad about it!
Now the horses have the track system and freedom to come and go as they please as a herd, he doesn’t seem quite so obsessed with rolling in mud.

01/06/2025

This is the most relaxed and calm that I’ve ever seen them - all since they had free access to the track system which got me thinking…..

I’m George - Sarah’s husband and co-owner at WME though I must give all of the credit for the equestrian stuff to Sarah as she is the one with the knowledge, experience and vision…..I’m just a doctor but as such have a bit of insight over the last 36 years of clinical practice into healthy behaviours and good mental health practices.

So I’ve been doing a bit of research on why track livery might be a better option for our equine friends.

This was prompted by a gut instinct that horses on standard livery (approx 16 hours per day in a stable and 8 hours in an enclosed paddock) might feel a bit like a human restricted to a cell and then allowed out into an exercise yard….just my observation as someone with a non equestrian background and based in health and social care.

Anyhow - here’s what pops up on a simple google search:

Track livery benefits horses by encouraging movement, mimicking their natural environment, and reducing the risk of health problems like laminitis and stomach ulcers. It also promotes mental stimulation, social interaction, and natural feeding patterns.

Here's a more detailed look at the benefits:

* Increased Movement:�Track systems encourage horses to walk a significant distance each day (up to 10-15 km), which improves circulation, muscle function, and digestion. �
* Natural Behavior:�The track system allows horses to express their natural behaviors, such as foraging and socializing, which can be mentally stimulating and reduce vices. �
* Reduced Grass Intake:�By limiting access to grass, track systems help manage weight and reduce the risk of conditions like laminitis and metabolic issues. �
* Improved Forage Management:�Horses on track systems are fed ad lib hay, which is a more appropriate and balanced diet compared to solely grazing. �
* Health Benefits:�The combination of increased movement, reduced grass intake, and a more balanced diet can contribute to improved overall health and a lower risk of various health problems. ��Horse and Hound also did an article on the track system concept:

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/track-system-paddock-paradise-horses-691247

It all just feels like a more natural and healthy way for horses to live in the way that they must have done as herds for thousands of years before humans came along.

Our own horses since having free access to the shelter of the barn or foraging on the track have become so chilled and also clearly filled out their muscles and their hooves look better for it - but Sarah is much more researched on that subject than I am.

I’m a total convert - the track system is so good for our horses. I wouldn’t want them to go back to the old school stables.

29/05/2025

❤️❤️

26/05/2025

The new security camera allows users to monitor their horses in the barn and provides added security

26/05/2025

What is important to us on our track livery at WME?

Forage, freedom and friendship are buzzwords used a lot by track system supporters but how have we interpreted that?

Our herd do not have to wait for a human to bring them food and we have no fixed feeding times it is just topped up when needed. Quality, dust free mixed meadow hay is available all the time, indoors and out on the track, just like in the wild, they have access to forage 24/7. This means there is no drama at ‘feeding time’ they are calm and satisfied, there is no food aggression or resource guarding. This is on top of all the biological benefits.

Our herd do not have to wait for a human to bring them in - or turn them out. They get to choose where they want to be 24/7. It’s raining, I don’t have to worry if I should have brought them in, or put a rug on them. It’s sunny and hot, I don’t have to worry about them missing an opportunity to sunbathe or if they are too hot because I put a rug on thinking it was going to rain. They don’t need rugs if they have complete freedom to choose whether they are indoors or outdoors. There is no stressed out pacing the fence line to come in, there is no box walking or weaving or door kicking because they want to go out. They are calm and happy all of the time.

Our herd do not have to wait for a human to bring them companionship, comfort or touch in the way of grooming. If they want to groom or be groomed or seek comfort from a friend, they have each other all of the time. To play with and be horses with. Sometimes they have an occasional bite mark or a kick mark, but because they are together 24/7 they are able to find their place in society, learn equine social cues and figure how to avoid upsetting the other horses in the first place. They are above all calm and happy.

I wouldn’t want it any other way.