STABLE STAYS – The BEST sleepover ever!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Check in is 4pm (3pm November to March) unless agreed beforehand.
On arrival you will be shown to your stable and given a tour and explanation of the facilities including the kitchenette and wet room. We will go through where and when to feed your equine stable companion and run through a list of Do’s and Don’ts which you will be asked to sign the disclaimer below. Further information regarding your Stable Stay will be found in the room and if there is anything we can provide to make your stay more comfortable, do let us know.
Once you are settled in we will introduce you to your stablemate and bring him/her into the stable. We will tell you more about them and give you a rough idea of what to expect from them overnight.
We aim to give you the freedom and privacy to get to know your stablemate in peace but will never be far away should you have any concerns or questions.
You can contact Tracey any time during the day or night if you have any concerns on 07776 145424
DO’s & DONT’S
Safety around the horses
The horses we use for our Stable Stays are sensible and kind and happy to be groomed and handled. However, as with any horse they have the potential to cause injury but this is unlikely to be intentional. Sometimes they can stand on your feet or nibble your hands. We ask that whenever you are in the stable with the horse you wear sturdy footwear. If there are children in your party they should not be allowed in with the horse unless they are supervised by an adult. For those with little horse awareness we strongly suggest you leave the horse in the stable and only go in with the horse if you feel entirely comfortable after your briefing.
When sleeping on the top bunk the horse may well come and put their head over to see you. Please be aware they may try and see if you have any treats for them so be careful not to let them mistake your fingers or toes for carrots! For those with horse experience, you are welcome to sit in the stable with your stablemate and some will be happy for you to sit with them when they are lying down. Please be particularly careful when doing this and be sure not to sit behind their back (in case they decide to roll) or in
front of their front legs (as they stretch these out when getting up).
Feeding the horses
You will be provided with haynets to be tied on the ring beside the water trough. Ordinarily they. will have one haynet in the evening and another in the morning. If your stablemate runs out of haylage during the night and you think they are hungry and restless please feel free to give them their morning haynet earlier. This can be tied in the stable or out in the yard if you prefer. You will be advised on rigging requirements for the horse.
There will be two feed bowls provided and labelled ‘breakfast’ and ‘dinner’. We will give them dinner when they first go into the stable.
Please be aware that if you have food on you when you are around your stable companion you can expect them to be a little pushy. Therefore please avoid eating your own food in the same area as the horse or they may try and take it off you!
Breakfast can be given any time after 5am
Treats
You are welcome to feed your stablemate treats as suggested below: Carrots, apples, bananas, or any sugar free horse treats. Please be aware if you are feeding treats you can expect your stablemate to be a bit more ‘nibbly’ than usual so please watch your fingers don’t end up in their mouth! If your stablemate is on a restricted diet we will advise you on arrival.
Grooming
A Haas grooming kit is provided in the washroom. You can groom your stablemate loose in the stable or you may choose to put the head collar on and tie them up. The tie up point is the ring where the haynet is hung where there is a strap with a quick release clip that should be attached to the ring on the noseband of the head collar.
We ask that you take particular care when brushing manes and tails. ALWAYS use either the detangler serum or spay first. When brushing start at the end of the hair to clear any tangles and work your way upwards towards the roots. The aim is to not damage or drag out more hair than necessary!
When plaiting please do not have these too tight around the withers, your stablemate needs to be able to stretch their head to the ground without the hair being pulled and snapped. Those with particularly long manes should always have the front part of the mane plaited back to prevent it ending up in their mouths when they eat. If you are struggling with the plaits simply tie back with an elastic band.
Water Trough
The water trough is automatic however the tap above the trough will be turned off on your arrival as it can be quite noisy when it refills especially when it happens just after you’ve dropped off to sleep. The trough holds enough water for the horses overnight.
Mucking Out
Your stablemate will have a bed of dust free shavings. You do not need to muck out your stablemate as we will do this for you in the morning. However, should you wish to pick up droppings at any time there is a muck trug, gloves and shavings fork provided in the next door stable along with a wheelbarrow in case the trug fills too quickly! Please do not disturb the bedding or try to remove the wet as we remove all of this every day
Sleeping advice
Your stablemate is unlikely to sleep through the night like you would usually do. They are all slightly different and some snooze standing up, others will lie down and may be up and down a few times during the night. They will variate this with having a walk around and having a munch on their haynet.
If the movement is keeping you awake and you’re finding it hard to sleep you will find fresh earplugs located on the shelf by the bed for you.
I confirm all members of my party have read, understood and agreed to the above Terms and Conditions and accept the risks associated with being around horses and ponies.