SOUTH WEST REGIONAL DAY - 30th March
This year’s programme of TBA regional visits set a high standard to follow, when over 50 members and guests accompanied by Chief Executive, Louise Kemble, were guests of the Pipe family on Monday 30th March. Set in the picturesque Blackdown Hills on the Somerset/Devon boarder, Pond House Stables is tucked away down a narrow lane in the small hamlet of Nicholshayne. However, its rural location belies the size and scope of the yard with over 140 equine residents and 70 staff on site.
Despite this being a busy week with Aintree coming up, we received a warm welcome from Martin, Carol and David Pipe, and their staff including Chester Barnes and Jonothan Lower. Over a welcoming cup of coffee we were treated to the sight of Well Chief, looking relaxed under Jonothan Lower who has been with the Pipe team for 16 years, as groom, jockey and now as work rider and schoolmaster. Split into two groups led by David and Martin, we were then treated to a thorough tour of yard, facilities and horses which provided an informative and fascinating insight into this successful training operation.
The yard boasts a wide range of facilities aimed at ensuring that horses are treated as individuals and given the maximum opportunity to be successful on the racecourse. To ensure smooth training regimes, an oval shaped covered yard over 2 furlongs round, with a well drained surface of woodchip, bark and sand on top allows for exercise in all weathers. A covered loose school at the end of the ride is the starting point for young horses learning to jump from where they can then move to the centre of the ride and graduate to small obstacles to further their education. A sand ring is also on hand for turning horses out loose and getting backs down, or for safely bringing horses back into work that might be a bit sharp when a rider first gets on them.
The covered swimming pool allows horses with leg injuries or muscle problems to continue working and to recover and maintain fitness. Immediately after swimming, horses are washed off, to remove chlorine from their coats, in the solarium, which means they dry off quickly, and it also helps to ease muscle problems and stiffness after injury. Three Loddon horse walkers allow eight horses each to be exercised under cover – again particularly useful for horses in light work and when bringing them back into work after injury.
Two angled treadmills allow horses to loosen up before galloping and encourage the use of different muscle groups. After an equine demonstration, some of the TBA ladies were encouraged by Martin to give the treadmill a try and all seemed to be moving well afterwards! In addition to the range of exercise methods used at Pond House, it was lovely to see a number of metal cages out in a paddock where the occupants could relax in the fresh air, have a pick of good grass or just enjoy the view. To transport horses to the range of meetings taking place each day there are three lorries; one two-horse box and the other two able to take six each.
At the heart of this modern and forward thinking operation is a horse management programme focusing on attention to detail and the treatment of horses as individuals. Horse welfare is of key importance, with temperatures taken and recorded routinely twice daily by staff, and weekly blood tests analyzed in the on-site laboratory by a qualified technician. Horses are also blood tested at the 5 day entry stage, and David feels strongly that these activities provide an early warning system allowing for pro-active intervention to ensure that horses are at peak condition when they run. Dodson & Horrell’s Ebor Supreme is fed with oats which are home grown, as is the hay.
Moving on to the gallops which are situated close at hand, we watched horses work twice up the 6 furlong all-weather gallop which is laid up a fairly steep hill enabling the horses to have a good blow. Aboukir Bay and Big Eared Fran (winner of the EBF Paddy Power Novice Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown in March this year), Bathurst Man and Qulinton (both winners over hurdles) and Monreale and The Accordianist worked twice up the woodchip which, being very well-drained can be used in almost any weather. Across from the woodchip gallop, hurdles, plain fences and open ditches provide the full range of schooling opportunities.
From the gallops it was a five minute car journey to the Pipe’s local hostelry, the Culm Valley Inn where we were well looked after by the landlord and staff who clearly enjoy their association with Pond House Stables. The visit was rounded off by Martin Pipe enthusing the audience with a display of memorabilia based on the life of Dorothy Paget and Golden Miller, whose big race double of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in 1934 remains a unique achievement.
This was a fascinating visit behind the scenes and was thoroughly enjoyed by members. The open hospitality of the Pipe family and staff was second to none, and the happy horses and friendly efficient staff left a positive and lasting impression on us all.
For more photos please see this link – These photos were kindly taken by TBA Member LeeAnn Day:
www.famousracehorses.co.uk/TBA/pondhouse.html
