Crabhayne Farm

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Crabhayne Farm Farm offering DIY livery with unrestricted turnout in Axmouth, East Devon. DIY livery on a clean and tidy yard within the farm.
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Unrestricted, all year turnout and a quiet, friendly atmosphere with excellent security, the owners also live on site. HQ of Pawsitive Thinking, helping people with the training, care and enrichment of their pets. Crabhayne Farm is also home to all the horses and ponies that were part of the East Devon Riding Academy team and who are now retired and enjoying a quieter life.

A blissful, relaxing trimming day out in the field, so much snoozing going on. 😴 We did have to laugh at Rags who let ou...
31/08/2024

A blissful, relaxing trimming day out in the field, so much snoozing going on. 😴 We did have to laugh at Rags who let out a huge sigh mid trim. We apologised to Rags for taking up his time 😂

Soldier, posing for the camera, hair blowing in the wind 😆
27/08/2024

Soldier, posing for the camera, hair blowing in the wind 😆

When you get a phone call to go and retrieve two Shetland ponies from a nine and a half acre field full of grass..... Wh...
22/08/2024

When you get a phone call to go and retrieve two Shetland ponies from a nine and a half acre field full of grass..... What happens next? The answer is in the comments!

Autumn is on its way 🍂
20/08/2024

Autumn is on its way 🍂

Loving our new needle felt portraits of 'The Boys'. Both of them beautifully captured by Fiona Finlayson in characterist...
10/08/2024

Loving our new needle felt portraits of 'The Boys'. Both of them beautifully captured by Fiona Finlayson in characteristic poses, complete with a favourite toy!

Fiona Finlayson Art 💝

Soldier and I have had lots of conversations recently. In his late 20's, he's pretty wise. I asked him if he could come ...
03/08/2024

Soldier and I have had lots of conversations recently. In his late 20's, he's pretty wise. I asked him if he could come down to a paddock by the yard each day to have some extra food, because his friends certainly don't need it but he does. No problem he said. How about if I go away for a night, would you mind staying there overnight on one occasion, so others can feed you? No thank you said Soldier, I'd rather not eat. OK then, scrap that idea. Alternative solution involving lots more work found. Now with some weight gain his feeds have dropped to once a day, so this is my daily view.

He's not wearing a fly mask today. Yesterday I asked him if I could put one on him. Up yours he said 😆

Giving horses choice isn't always easy, it sometimes makes me swear, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

An old post of mine has emerged again, I believe prompted by the latest welfare issues in equestrian sport. So I'm shari...
02/08/2024

An old post of mine has emerged again, I believe prompted by the latest welfare issues in equestrian sport. So I'm sharing just the photos taken 8 years ago, as an antidote to the current carnage in the equestrian world.

After retiring from top level showing, Cobweb came to live with us to help 1000s of children with their equestrian journeys at East Devon Riding Academy. He is still very much a part of our family to this day, and hasn't been ridden for 6 years. So no, horses do not have to face a death sentence when they are no longer taking part in competition, being ridden, or doing a 'job'. They deserve a safe, happy life at all levels, ridden or not.

Mutual happiness, please.

(Photos by Millie Moore)

Hay and haylage making all finished for another year 🌞
30/06/2024

Hay and haylage making all finished for another year 🌞

Last week I said goodbye to my friend of 27 years, my dearest pony, Zebedee. I came home from university one summer holi...
10/06/2024

Last week I said goodbye to my friend of 27 years, my dearest pony, Zebedee.

I came home from university one summer holiday with 3 young feral ponies, one with an 8 week old foal at foot. That foal was Zebedee. The grand plan to save them from the meat man was to train them all to be children's ponies and sell them on. Only I was an absolutely s**t horse dealer! So after I sold Zebedee's mum a few years later, and was absolutely gutted and in floods of tears, I decided I couldn't do it again. Decision made, Zebedee never went anywhere.

His kind, gentle company has seen me though so many ups and downs of life, including the death of my mum, marriage, childbirth, divorce, leaving my childhood home... he's been with me through it all. He was extremely claustrophobic, and couldn't cope with being inside, so he lived his whole life outside in a herd. I'm proud to say despite this, he never had laminitis, and he also lived his life fear free; he wasn't once pulled in the mouth, kicked in the ribs, nor hit with a whip. He loved mud, and would particularly like rolling with his head in a bucket, even on concrete.

In the last few months he was losing weight and showing changes in behaviour, veterinary tests indicated an internal mass that was bleeding inside him. So I let him go now to avoid reaching crisis point, and whilst he still had some quality of life. Thanks go to the vets at Summerleaze Equine for their compassionate guidance and expertise in helping me make a very difficult decision, but absolutely the right one for Zebo.

Photos are from his last morning, with one from the day I got him. In his final hours he lived the pony dream of being let loose in a field full of grass, and stuffing his face with bucket feed and handfuls of treats. He went very quietly, alongside his herd, who were able to stay with him for a while afterwards.

Rest in peace dear Zebo, and thank you for all you did for me. I love you very much and miss you greatly.

Photos from the last few weeks hanging out with the boys and girls around Crabhayne Farm
31/05/2024

Photos from the last few weeks hanging out with the boys and girls around Crabhayne Farm

Yes, I did learn in Pony Club not to leave tools unattended around horses. But when I've been very naughty and left tool...
22/05/2024

Yes, I did learn in Pony Club not to leave tools unattended around horses. But when I've been very naughty and left tools IN the wheelbarrow (for a few seconds to fetch the broom), at least I can rely on the yard boss to give me a reminder...

Sorry Jane, I'll try harder!

Please join me in celebrating the unbelievable talent of Shetland ponies 🤔😆
01/05/2024

Please join me in celebrating the unbelievable talent of Shetland ponies 🤔😆

7 years ago I was asked to contribute to this article in Horse and Hound magazine, on teaching children to ride. It was ...
18/04/2024

7 years ago I was asked to contribute to this article in Horse and Hound magazine, on teaching children to ride. It was a notable moment because they chose a photo of Cobweb in a bitless bridle for the main picture; usually children's ponies were more often than not shown wearing gags and grackles.
(Photo by Millie Moore)

When you really want to get in the field with the tractor, but Pru really wants to investigate the tractor.Stand off!Sol...
17/04/2024

When you really want to get in the field with the tractor, but Pru really wants to investigate the tractor.

Stand off!

Solution- I had no headcollars and no food, but I don't want the horses to fear the tractor, nor be scared of people, therefore no revving the engine or waving arms allowed! So I took the role of the Pied Piper and walked off. All 8 followed me to the next field and I quickly shut the gate behind them. Fist pump! 😂

Good morning from Crabhayne Farm 🌞
07/03/2024

Good morning from Crabhayne Farm 🌞

Apart from slicing my knuckles de-icing water troughs, what a beautiful day! ❄️Lovely sky, changing clouds, happy free r...
16/01/2024

Apart from slicing my knuckles de-icing water troughs, what a beautiful day! ❄️
Lovely sky, changing clouds, happy free ranging horses and very fresh air 🥰

Zebedee... he's 27 this year and his favourite hobby is mud wallowing. He also likes dipping his legs in water troughs, ...
05/01/2024

Zebedee... he's 27 this year and his favourite hobby is mud wallowing. He also likes dipping his legs in water troughs, even in January. I rescued him and his mother when he was 8 weeks old, I think he is Welsh X Hippo.

I've kept him alive his whole life without a stable (he hates them) but he does like to challenge me occasionally. Last night's effort was to go for a particularly good mud wallow during a storm. He had free access to a choice of 4 large open fronted shelters/stables but no, he'll stick to utilising a mud pack thanks. So this morning I was presented with a rather cold pony, literally dripping in liquid mud.

I don't routinely use rugs. The horses have them when needed for their benefit but never for mine. I have a collection of sizes and types, just in case. Today Zebo has needed several rugs to get him warm and dry. One rug arrived with a pony over 10 years ago and has never been used until today. My rug stash wasn't quite up to it though, so tonight he's wearing a smart (for 5 minutes) new one that I had to rush out and buy, his 5th rug of the day.

Today would have been so much easier if I could have bathed him and put him in a stable. But when you have a claustrophobic bog lover, you have to rely on horsemanship skills learnt from looking after riding school ponies when you were eight. No string vest rugs these days, but hanging on to other random rugs, thatching and hard work means Zebo will hopefully reach another birthday!

Ponies....never a dull moment!

31/12/2023

The weather is awful but it's New Year's Eve, so even if you're getting on a bit, party on! 🥳

The changing weather, beautiful skies and very dirty horses 😂 (No filters- real skies and real life winter dirt!)
15/12/2023

The changing weather, beautiful skies and very dirty horses 😂
(No filters- real skies and real life winter dirt!)

When they start up a game, I think I'll nip behind the gate!
21/11/2023

When they start up a game, I think I'll nip behind the gate!

Monday morning lie in 💝
13/11/2023

Monday morning lie in 💝

We're storm ready. Feeder moved and copious amounts of mud protection applied!
01/11/2023

We're storm ready. Feeder moved and copious amounts of mud protection applied!

Good morning from Crabhayne Farm 🍂🌞
09/10/2023

Good morning from Crabhayne Farm 🍂🌞

When your mates go galloping, bucking and leaping with new field excitement but you prefer to eat 🤣
25/09/2023

When your mates go galloping, bucking and leaping with new field excitement but you prefer to eat 🤣

Miles of rows of soon to be haylage underneath the most lovely clouds this evening. 🚜☁️☁️☁️🚜(Plus a random photo of the ...
22/06/2023

Miles of rows of soon to be haylage underneath the most lovely clouds this evening. 🚜☁️☁️☁️🚜
(Plus a random photo of the little boat because I liked it! 😄)

8 horses at liberty that need the farrier.My recall cue is spot on! 😏My slow down and wait for me cue on the other hand....
05/06/2023

8 horses at liberty that need the farrier.
My recall cue is spot on! 😏
My slow down and wait for me cue on the other hand.... utter 💩
Must try harder. Much harder! 😂

17/05/2023

Good morning from beautiful East Devon 🌞

The gift of autonomy. This photo was the morning after a recent storm, and they all chose to have a lie in. Today, in th...
13/05/2023

The gift of autonomy.
This photo was the morning after a recent storm, and they all chose to have a lie in. Today, in the sun, they are up and about grazing. I love not imposing rigid routines on them and allowing them to decide when and where they eat, sleep and socialise.

Even when working they had almost as much freedom of choice. I quit using routine stabling 25 years ago and never looked back, County level show ponies, thoroughbreds and competition horses too!

No time to chat, they're busy!
30/04/2023

No time to chat, they're busy!

Two degrees in equine science and four decades of practical experience up to Olympic level VS four Shetland ponies 🤔 1-0...
22/04/2023

Two degrees in equine science and four decades of practical experience up to Olympic level VS four Shetland ponies 🤔

1-0 to the Shetlands!

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The weather is awful but it's New Year's Eve, so even if you're getting on a bit, party on! 🥳

Good morning from beautiful East Devon 🌞

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Our Story

Purpose built, clean and tidy DIY livery yard with excellent facilities and all year, unrestricted turnout. The farm has a quiet, friendly atmosphere with excellent security, we also live on site.

HQ for Pawsitive Thinking, offering people help with the training, care and enrichment of their pets. www.pawsitivethinking.co.uk

Crabhayne Farm is also home to all the horses and ponies that were part of the East Devon Riding Academy team and who are now enjoying a quieter life.

Natalie Bucklar, BSc (Hons), MSc