Riverstown Stables

Riverstown Stables Livery, Breaking, Training, Selling, Buying Interested in ponies to be taken on for bringing on and breaking for general use/sales purposes. Reasonable rates.

All types of ponies catered for 14.2hhs and under ( any height)
Will be kept on own farm, stabling and grazing available. All disciplines catered for:

-showjumping

-XC

-hunting

-showing

-handling

-ponyclub

-flatwork

Experienced college riders with years of experience with ponies. Contacts in Ireland/Uk/Sweden for sale purposes. Starting in September 2013
Also ponies and cobs for sale

21/09/2024

🙈🙈🙈

21/09/2024

The comparison I shared yesterday sparked quite a bit of discussion. Some were quick to claim that the two images didn’t show the same horse, but I had merely flipped the original image so that the head was facing the same direction.

More concerning, however, was that several individuals viewed the horse in the top image as something to aspire to.

While many may perceive the horse in the first image as healthy, the reality is quite different. This horse was actually in a severe metabolic crisis. What some mistook for muscle and a well-developed topline were, in fact, fat deposits.

At that time, the horse was in poor condition — his feet were severely compromised, painful, and deteriorating. His body was swollen, filled with toxins, and he was far from healthy.

Since then, he has been transitioned to a natural lifestyle on our track system, with appropriate forage. As a result, he has shed the excess fat, and his feet are significantly improving.

Unfortunately, many people are misled by the appearance of a plump, round horse with a shiny coat. Currently, this horse is in the process of growing his winter coat, and by next summer, he will have a beautiful shine — but this time, it will be the glow of true health.

It’s critical that we shift our focus from appearance to the overall health and soundness of the horse. A healthy exterior is not always an indicator of well-being. This mindset needs to change.

From the horse & hound! 250,000 awarded for a rider and her pony that were spooked by a driver
19/09/2024

From the horse & hound! 250,000 awarded for a rider and her pony that were spooked by a driver

19/09/2024

“My horse is lame in trot, but fine in canter.”

No, no, no. Someone sent me a screenshot of a comment they saw on FB stating exactly this. If your horse is lame in trot, he/she is PAIN. The horse world really needs to concentrate on ACTUAL horse welfare issues, and riding a horse in canter that is lame in trot, is an enormous welfare issue. Riding a horse in WALK that is lame in trot, is a huge welfare issue.

Your horse may well “look” ok in canter, but actually be in a lot of pain. Canter is a three time beat, so it’s very hard to visualise a lameness, especially a forelimb lameness. If you are actually aware that your horse is visibly lame in trot, and are still riding them, this is a welfare issue (unless under frequent veterinary guidance). If you are aware that your horse is obviously lame in trot but haven’t sought veterinary advice, that is a welfare issue.

If your horse is lame in trot, he/she is also in pain in canter; you just may be struggling to see it.

Let’s focus on ACTUAL, living, breathing, welfare issues. People hacking out lame horses is a real thing, and a serious welfare concern.

16/09/2024

£250,000 compensation for a rider who was injured when a driver spooked a pony

Read mor via link below

14/09/2024
07/09/2024

Horse Left To Die Is Now Prize-Winning Show Pony

A neglected horse which was abandoned and "left to die" on the side of a road in the Republic of Ireland is now a prize-winning show pony.

Woody, then a seven-year-old stallion, was in very poor health when he was found lying across a pavement in County Tipperary last year.

An eyewitness reported that the young horse collapsed from exhaustion after being used for sulky racing.

A sulky is a small horse-drawn cart traditionally used for transport and recreation, but sulky racing is illegal on public roads in Ireland.

Gardaí (Irish police) were called to help the stricken animal in Clonmel on 15 October.

Officers then contacted the County Cork branch of the animal welfare charity, My Lovely Horse Rescue.

"I said: ‘Are we going to have a live horse here?’ recalled volunteer Kelly Mellerick, who co-ordinated Woody's rescue.

"Because it didn’t look good."

"His ribs were visible, he was very much lacking in muscle tone and he was actually dehydrated and fairly exhausted," Ms Mellerick told BBC News NI.

She explained that the malnourished horse was not fit for the amount of exertion demanded of him by sulky racers.

"The reports to the Gardaí were that the people involved had taken their trap and their harness equipment and they’d run off basically and left him there."

Woody was transported back to the charity's farm in Cork where they started a feeding programme in a bid to nurse him back to health.

"Both of his back legs were very swollen so we had to do a lot of hand walking with him to keep him supple and moving," Ms Mellerick added.

A new home
The charity depends on a network of foster carers to help look after and rehome abandoned horses.

During his recuperation, Woody was introduced to 13-year-old Orianna, who wanted a new pony.

"I went into the yard and saw him and I thought wow, he’s definitely the one for me," the schoolgirl told BBC News NI.

"He has the kindest eyes and just the quietest nature. He’s a wonderful pony really, and I was grooming him the whole time."

Kelsie Montague, who fosters horses for the charity, helped match Woody with his new owner and is now helping the teenager to train him.

"He’s so well behaved and him and Orianna have just clicked," Ms Montague said.

"She does everything, from mucking out stables to grooming, bathing – just generally spending her days with him."

After months of care and attention from Orianna and his handlers, the horse made a remarkable recovery.

On one of their first outings, Ms Montague said she found it difficult to keep up with Woody's new-found energy.

"He was off like a rocket, loving being out on the roads and nosing in people's gardens and everything like that. He absolutely loved it."

Last weekend, Woody and Orianna entered a pony competition at the Cork Summer Show, and the pair won second prize in their category.

Woody was the runner up in the "In Hand Rescue Pony class" for horses that have been adopted through a rescue centre in Ireland.

"I didn’t really expect to come second, especially as it was my first show and his first show and I think we were both kind of nervous about it," Orianna said.

"But I was thrilled to pieces when she gave me the rosette, I was just so surprised."

Woody is among hundreds of animals whose lives have been saved by the My Lovely Horse Rescue Charity.

It was founded in 2011 by sisters Martina and Deborah Kenny and their friend Cathy Davey.

The trio of animal lovers were so moved by the sight of neglected horses around Dublin, they decided they would try to help.

As well as horses, they now look after pigs, goats, cats, dogs, hedgehogs and other sick or abandoned animals across their three sites.

The name of their organisation was inspired by the TV sitcom Father Ted.

In one of its most popular episodes, Father Ted writes a song in the hope it will be chosen as Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.

**Nostalgia Alert**The Glorious Days of Pony Club and Horse Riding in the Late 80s to Early 2000s Ah, the sweet scent of...
05/09/2024

**Nostalgia Alert**
The Glorious Days of Pony Club and Horse Riding in the Late 80s to Early 2000s

Ah, the sweet scent of hay, the sound of whinnying, and the unforgettable aroma of horse sweat mixed with the overwhelming scent of teenage angst. Let’s take a galloping trot down memory lane and reminisce about those *epic* pony club days and riding shenanigans from the late 80s to the early 2000s. Buckle up, because this ride might get bumpy!

Back in the day, life was as simple as a child with a bowl cut and a pair of jodhpurs. Riding a horse was the ultimate dream while dodging homework and avoiding your little brother's constant attempts to annoy you. Once you secured a trusty steed – likely a moody pony with a penchant for mischief named “Dusty” or “Star,” you felt like you were on the brink of conquering the world.

I mean, who could forget those glorious days at pony club? Picture this: a gaggle of kids decked out in ill-fitting helmets that looked like they were made for an alien species and mismatched riding boots that had seen better days. And let's talk about pony club meetings, where we were taught the *absolute essentials* of riding and caring for horses. Essential skills back then included:

1. Avoiding the Rush-Hour Snack Time: Because the only thing better than riding was the post-ride snack of dubious quality—probably a soggy cheese sandwich swimming with mystery salad.

2. Mastering the Art of “Accidental” Falls: It was a rite of passage to (strategically) fall off your pony at least once a week. Sure, it was embarrassing, but you got serious street cred among your friends. Plus, nothing quite says *“I’m a real rider”* like a smattering of grass stains on your jodhpurs.

3. Gossiping Like Nobody's Business: Pony club was basically a soap opera set against the backdrop of hay bales and saddles. Everyone wanted to know who had “the better” pony, who was crushing on whom, and whether Sarah's mom bought the fluffiest saddle pad.

And can we take a moment to appreciate the pain of fencing? I’m talking about jumping over fences that were more daunting than the math exam you didn’t study for. “What’s the worst that could happen?” we thought, as our ponies decided they were more interested in munching grass than following human commands.

Fast forward to the late 90s and early 2000s, and we saw the glorious expansion of the equestrian entertainment industry. The movies! The books! The endless flow of *My Little Pony* merchandise that made us believe we’d one day achieve similar majestic hairstyles (*you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it style manes*). Horse girls were a force to be reckoned with - we could recite every horse breed from Appaloosa to Zorse, armed with a vet’s handbook in one hand and a friendship bracelet in the other.

Now, let’s compare that to today’s young equestrians in the UK—where pony clubs seem less about spending time with your hooved companions and more about cyber-styling your Instagram feed. Instead of dusty barns, we have pristine stables with wifi—because nothing screams “I love horses!” quite like a TikTok of you trying to get your pony to tolerate wearing a tutu.

Today's kids have it too easy. Digital pony simulators take the place of mucking out stables, whereby you can virtually groom your imaginary horse without getting a single fleck of hay stuck in your hair. Imagine telling your friends you sat in air-conditioned comfort, hit Ctrl+C to feed your virtual pony and then, after a long day, posted your horse selfies online rather than collecting a shoe box of horse hair!

I often wonder if today’s youth are even aware of the legendary status of those who could braid their pony’s mane into something resembling an exquisite work of art—while simultaneously holding an unwrapped chocolate bar in the other hand. The core of horse riding, once entrenched in muddy puddles and the smell of fresh manure, seems to have moved toward glossy showrooms filled with hype and shiny saddles.

But all jokes aside, I’ll treasure those pony days forever. The friendships formed, the thrilling rides, and those hay fights which were more serious than any Olympic sport. As we gather for a canter down memory lane, let’s raise a carrot to the grassroots horse riding of yore! May our trotting spirits gallop on, even amidst the TikToks and technicalities of today. Here’s to the pony club legends of the late 80s to early 2000s—where we learned far more than just how to ride a horse; we learned how to roll in the mud and emerge victorious!

So to all the horse gals and guys out there: saddle up, because no matter how much the times have changed, the heart of horse riding will forever remain the same! Now... where did I leave that old helmet?

Photo: North Tipperary and Ormond Pony Club

2010

03/09/2024

This!!

Help if you can guys ❤️❤️We are looking for any donations at all to help feed dogs if people are badly struggling! Every...
03/09/2024

Help if you can guys ❤️❤️

We are looking for any donations at all to help feed dogs if people are badly struggling!

Every pound helps keep a dogs tail wagging ❤️

https://exempthub.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR07kRmg6n-QaBBiSd-RkxLNn8PAEuKAyKeeoY8baHeN_yAM6Gbxg-Oy3Uw_aem_lXvVGw6WJs4lXWpg9g26cA

Every dog deserves a chanceWe must allow dogs a chance of a life, instead of punishing dogs for owner mistakes & based on there looks rather than the actual deed.We have a donation portal setup for people to offer to help us on our missions! Please see belowDONATE TODAY Welcome to our websiteWe are....

Address

Birr

Telephone

0879521703

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Riverstown Stables posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

Share