I arrived last August 2007 and it already feels like my horse and I have been there forever! Susi and Paul are easy going and friendly and are always happy to stop what they're doing around the yard to have a chat. Sometimes it's quite easy to forget that you're there to be with your horse, there are so many home comforts! Even when we first arrived there was a large bathroom complete with a good sized shower, how wonderful to find I won't have to wait till I get home in the summer before I can cool off! It even makes life easier as I can take a change of clothes with me, if I'm due to go out somewhere, and can spend more time at the yard!
There's a fully fitted kitchen and a big wide screen tv, stereo with speakers in every stable so you can pipe soothing music to your horse! There are two rooms above the kitchen for just relaxing in with a large selection of horsey books to read and gorgeous real wood furniture and floorboards. There's a computer with access to the net that is free to use for anyone, and there's always a fridge full of soft drinks and water, as well as a draw full of coffee and tea selections. Oh, and often a lot of cookies!
The tack and rug rooms are fitted with electronic keypads as well as locks so you know your stuff is safe, the many cameras around the yard also add to the feeling of security as any dodgy goings on will be caught on candid camera! There's a fire alert system that calls the local fire department as well as Susi and Paul's house and mobile numbers the instant anything is detected and there are ample extinguishers and fire signs around the yard, as well as fire blankets.
The stables are light and airy but still manage to be warm in this snowy weather! They have windows that can be opened in the summer, but that have grills so no horse can get it's head stuck! The top half of the stable walls are wooden grills so each horse can see it's neighbours, and the rafters are very high so any claustrophobic horse (like mine) can feel happy and relaxed.
The hay bars and automatic water drinkers are wonderful (though my horse tends to pull his hay out and throw it all over the floor anyway!). Each horse gets access to 3.5 acres of grazing each, which is paradise! Single turnout is also no problem for this yard as their attitude is anything to make horse and owner comfortable and happy. All the fencing is sturdy and secure post and rail, though there is the option of fencing off parts of larger fields with electric.
The quality of grazing is excellent due to good rotation plans, and a cute herd of sheep that are moved around the paddocks to destroy any worms that might affect horses to make sure there's no cross contamination between different horses if they swap fields. Most fields have hedgerows full of horse friendly shrubs and trees which the horses are encouraged to help themselves to, especially pain killing willow.
The feed given is all organic, from the worlds most wonderful hay grown on the premises, to the simple system hard feed that is fed to Susi and Paul's own horses. They are of course happy for you to continue with your own feed provided the company that manufactures them can provide you with notes to verify they are organic, or at least use all non GM foods, so that Susi can show them to the governing body that regulates Stone Circle as a fully organic livery yard.
When full livery is said on this yard it really is meant, they do everything they say on their site and a lot more besides for a heck of a lot less than I've paid for the most basic livery elsewhere. If you need something that isn't specified, just ask, it's done with a smile and genuine good will at all time! No hassles on this yard! As long as safety standards are met, liveries are encouraged to treat the place as their own and NO judgement is passed on what you choose to do with your horse, after all, Susi and Paul point out it is your horse!
As a picture says a thousand words, the best I can do now is provide some of my wonderful horse loving every minute in his happy home.
One of the Livery Clients at Stone Circle Livery describes what life is like at the yard.
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