We built this in 2017 and it has been a great addition to the facilities here at Stockton Hall. After every horse has exercised we walk them through the splash and it not only washes their legs off but also cool them down after they have worked. We also use the splash for horses with previous leg injuries as they can stand in there daily and helps prevent any further injury and can also help speed up recovery.
We have a one-mile gallop, with a 2-furlong loop. This is a good starting point and excellent in helping to develop a horse's balance, we have found that this works very well with the flat horses.
We also have a four furlong carpet uphill gallop, this is an especially good gallop for ensuring and maintaining a jump horse's stamina.
We are fortunate to have superb schooling grounds, set in the middle of open countryside. The established turf ensures good going and there is a gradual incline. We make use of fences, hurdles and tyres in order to ensure our horses are confident and technically correct in their jumping.
Having gained experience of a number of yards, Oliver has chosen large and airy stables that have low partitions between them.
This means that horses can see one another and its stops them from getting bored or developing bad habits.
They are especially good for young or nervous horses.
With an all weather surface, this is a vital facility for any jumps trainer. It is used to school horses of all ages and experience and can accommodate a range of jumps at different heights. This enables us to address a specific goal, from schooling of young horses to sorting out a problem with an older more experienced horse.
We have three walkers, each being able to accommodate five horses at a time.
They are used for ‘warming up’ and ‘cooling down’ but have also been a valuable part of our team during the snow and ice.
The Lunging Ring, or sand pen as it is also known, has a number of applications, one of which is giving the horses somewhere to roll and relax after exercise. It is also used for long reigning and lunging young horses on a sound all weather surface.
We have over one hundred acres of grassland, which enables us to turn the horses out and freshen them up. There are a range of grass banks that we can ride the horses over and this aids fitness as well as being excellent for horses with leg problems.
It’s not just humans who enjoy a good walk! Our horses, particularly the older ones, enjoy walks to eliminate boredom and freshen them up. Especially good for horses that get stressed.