Hooves, whiskers and pawprints

15/09/2024

House, cat and horse sitting this weekend. Absolutely no polos were involved in these field checks at all…. 👀

10/09/2024

Had the pleasure of looking after this absolute babe for 3 weeks while her family were off on holibobs. I feel like there’s something missing from my side now! 🥺

09/09/2024

Appreciating the evening sun today whilst field checking some ponios. I’m going to really miss these evenings when the shorter days draw in 🫣

05/01/2024

Finally on the way to achieving something I've wanted to do since I was a kid 🥳

1 assessment down, 2 to go...

26/12/2023

40 stables done
146 feeds made
28 cats fed (well... the same 9 multiple times)
31+ trips to the field
* Side note- very pleased to have got turnout for 13 out of 18 "in" horses over the last 2 days*
40 rug changes
9 loads of the steamer (and no scolding hot water mishaps! 🥳)
2 horses ridden
23 haynets made
And 1 fence fixed (in the pitch black- thanks Ted 🙄😂)

All in the last 36 hours across 3 yards and a house. Quite pleased with myself for keeping it quiet this year (yes.. really!)

Thank you to the wonderful team of staff (including the bosses!) and volunteers who helped fill in the gaps over Xmas day and Boxing Day. Your help is always appreciated 🥰

18/11/2023

Safe to say Boogie was a fan of the fascial edge tool!

17/11/2023

A brilliant equine sports massage therapy CPD day today.

Building my confidence and skills and learning how to use the 'fascial edge' tool.

Big thanks to Rose Holistic Therapies and Training for a great course and a photo that sums up my entire day- releases and smiles. I can't wait to get practising on the work ponies and clients!

14/10/2023

After a very busy week this week I'm looking forward to a rather large g+t and a chilled out evening ready for another busy week next week!

Photo of the glamorous Juniper radiating those weekend vibes. Isn't she just so gorgeous?? I'm so lucky I get to spend my down time with clients like her ♥️

18/09/2023

What a year I have had!! Lots of learning going on behind the scenes at HWP!

A year ago I passed my Level 3 Senior Equine Groom qualification with a distinction.

Finally recieved my certificate for passing my "Self Harm and Su***de Prevention" qualification (not animal related but incredibly important!)

Last week my confidence was boosted at a BHS Stage 4 training day- I was not as out of my depth as I expected to be!

And all this week I am doing the last practical training and preparations to have "Equine Sports Massage Therapist" on my CV too!

Always growing, always adapting, always learning👩🏼‍🎓💪🏼

26/06/2023

Nothing but the highest quality of care for my feline friends- even if it means hand feeding sweeties 😂

Please contact me if you need someone to look after your furry family members while you're away.

Fully insured, high attention to detail, well recommended with 5 🌟 reviews

22/05/2023

Are you going away over the spring and summer months but worried about your fur babies getting lonely, or having to go to an unfamiliar environment?

I am a fully insured pet sitter covering the Warlingham/ Selsdon/ Sanderstead area and I'm happy to help!

I offer drop in visits to your own home so your pets can stay feeling safe and comfortable 😸

Please contact me if you are looking for a no-stress solution to your holiday worries!

01/01/2021

Give those fur babies an extra thank you for getting us through 2020. Couldn't have done it without this little face getting me up each morning ❤

01/11/2020

Do you think they'll be able to see us? Not sure how taken Twiggy is with her newest addition to the wardrobe..... She may feel a little like a lemon 😂

Gallop Equestrian, 200g Hivis turnout. Whoever thought up this was a genius!

19/10/2020

Don't you love horses.... Twiggy decided to make the most of a day ruggless. And goodness me, did she go to town!

BUT! It was the perfect opportunity to put my me Eqclusive brushes to the test! I treated us to the Dark bay/ black set after 2 and a half years of umming and arring.... I think its safe to say they're worth it! Look at that shine!

02/10/2020

Bring back those sunny days, where all that was needed were leggings and a t-shirt ☀️

28/09/2020

Great day at South Brockwells XC chaperoning Hilary and 'Her Royal Highness, Queen Foxy' for their cross-country clinic 🏇

20/09/2020

Who needs a dog when you have a lion to guard your room? 🦁

This is Sooty. My own, slightly senile, cat. He's always been a funny character, but now as he's getting older he's developing more and more little ways to make us laugh each day 💕

15/09/2020

Your cat may be cool, but is she as cool as my mate Missy?? 🐱

The first time I looked after Missy it took pretty much the whole week just to get close to her. She is a rescue cat who is a little afraid of life.. But after some amazing work put in from her mummy, she was definitely my friend this visit! Chatting away to me whenever I was in the same room, rubbing against my legs, we even had some cuddles at dinner time. She almost got brave enough to sit on the sofa with me but bottled out last minute with a very impressive manoeuvre off the sofa- reminded me of the move Olympic swimmers do at the end of the pool! In your own time Missy, I'll love you anyway🥰

14/09/2020

We love a visit from Aunty Emily at (she also treats doggies! 🐕)
Look at that super chilled pone!
Makes me very happy to know she is in tip top shape... which is more than can be said for my bank account after a weekend of the saddler and physio! 🤦🏼‍♀️

13/09/2020

Early mornings are made worth it by moments like these 🌄

12/09/2020

This!!! I cannot emphasise enough how true this is. Something my own horse has concreted into me and it's how I endeavour to treat every animal that comes under my care. Animal cruelty is something I will never understand, regardless of the severity.

DO YOU HANDLE YOUR HORSE COMPASSIONATELY?

How we handle and train our horses is extremely important, not just for our horse's welfare but also for the effect that it has on our relationship and our safety.

Training is essential, it is not a luxury or something to do at the weekend. Horses need to know how to behave around people and be prepared for as many situations as possible.

How we train our horses will understandably have a lasting impact on how they feel about us. If you use force or bully your horse to do what you ask they will associate you with the fear or discomfort they feel at the time. This is when relationships start to break down and difficult behaviours begin, and the horse will start to say no. No, they don't want to be caught, no they don't want to be ridden, no they don't want to interact with you. And why should they?

Create a good relationship with your horse by ensuring they aren't fearful or incapable of performing what you are asking, provide calm equine company, use positive training methods that reward your horse when he does the right thing, stay calm yourself and your horse will learn to trust you. Compassionate handling leads to better welfare and safer horses as well as faster results for horse owners.

The Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys have produced a brilliant evidence-based factsheet with information about why good handling matters. Plus, there are some useful tips for you to handle your horse more compassionately.

You can download a copy here:
https://www.thebrooke.org/sites/default/files/CompassionateEquineHandlingWeb.pdf

12/09/2020

🐾 Welcome to my page! 🐾

I thought I'd introduce myself so you know a little about me. My name is Sophie, I am 25 and been around animals all my life. I have a horse and a cat (who is curled up fast asleep on my lap as I type!). I've worked with horses since I was 16 and currently work at a successful competition yard. I consider myself to be kind and compassionate, and I will always put the animal's wellbeing first.

Hooves, whiskers and pawprints came to life as I am regularly being asked to pet sit for friends and I love it! Every animal has its own personality and quirks and I find so much joy in getting to know them- so why not make more 4-legged friends, hey?!

The gorgeous girl in the photo is my mare Twiggy- you'll probably be seeing a lot of her as she's my pride and joy and I just can't help but post about her 🥰 She's also a fab plaiting and tidying model....

Sooty may make the odd appearance too- but he spends most of his OAP life sleeping now 🦁