Wildwoods Riding Centre

18/06/2025

Walter Wednesday! ☀ 🥵🔥

As lovely as this glorious weather is (trust me I am taking advantage of being able to sunbathe). It is not the most ideal weather for cantering and jumping around in!

With that being said, I wanted to put out a couple of reminders:

The welfare of our horses and riders is always paramount therefore, lessons will be tailored to make sure neither horse or rider get too hot or are at risk of heat stroke. Meaning slightly slower lessons and time to work without stirrups everyone!

Please make sure long trousers are still worn and shoulders are covered, no vest tops! As much as we like showing our shoulders off, it is not ideal for riding.

If possible, we will try to book lesson earlier in the day and can offer hacks out in the shade instead. We also have the wonderful (and shaded!) Trojan and can also offer stable management sessions – a chance to sign off some challenge awards!

Please keep hydrated and wear sun cream!

More information can be found on this link by the British Horse Society: https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/seasonal-care/exercise-travel-and-competing-in-hot-weather/?fbclid=IwY2xjawK_Y-BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB4VEdldzBrQnlUUm5ocEJiAR7vtfDlenDeIGx4DkmbXOo_zXWbgO-RmA6BJQ89uBfqGs-UiQM_zYVr9Bo-xw_aem_Hp6hp_MLMEVdQGEJnvaVOA

Tahtah for now,

Walter XOXO

17/06/2025

Is this on your bucket list? Come along and experience the magic of the Okavango on horseback. Contact me for dates 🐘🐆🦓🦒🐎

16/06/2025

Nothing but the best for our horses! Bordeaux for Savannah and mint for Apollo!
These pads reduce pressure and are nonslip so do help when riders are not always balanced.
They are not cheap but well worth it as they last and I do get a discount
https://thesaddlepadcompany.com/

14/06/2025

We are committed to the care of our horses and ponies and they all get regular saddlery and physio checks.
Teaching our riders to ride in balance and with feel us also a part of the picture!
Our team of grooms and instructors are very tuned to picking up on when something might not be quite right with the horse 🐎

As someone who teaches saddle fit professionally, I want to be completely transparent about something: Fixing the saddle won’t fix everything.

Yes, saddle fit is incredibly important. Yes, it can be the root cause of discomfort, behavioural issues and physical symptoms, including lameness.

But it’s just one part of the puzzle.

We talk often about behavioural signs that could point to saddle-related discomfort: Tail swishing, bucking, reluctance to move forward, stiffness or crookedness, girthiness, head tossing, you know the list..

But the key word is “could.”

These signs are not diagnoses. They’re invitations to investigate, to ask deeper questions, to look more closely, and to collaborate with the rest of the horse’s care team.

When a horse is showing signs of discomfort, our job is to approach the situation with curiosity, not assumptions. Is the saddle contributing to the problem? Maybe.

But it could also be something entirely different.

This is why a team-based, horse-first approach between equine professionals is so important. A properly fitted saddle won’t magically heal a horse with long-standing compensation patterns or past trauma.

Saddle fit matters. A lot.
But it’s not the whole story.

So the next time your horse shows signs of discomfort, remember: the saddle might be part of the problem.

But it’s just as likely that the full answer lies in the conversation between all parts of the horse’s care.

13/06/2025

Both ponies are very calm and settled and have lovely temperaments.
This is the video that caught my eye. Nelly certainly ticked all the boxes for me and resulted in a purchase unseen.
Saddle fitting tomorrow!

13/06/2025

12/06/2025

New research on equine facial expressions a ‘game-changer for anyone working with horses’. Read more via link below

12/06/2025

A somewhat sleepless night after saying goodbye to dear Buttons lead to some internet searching and Right Horse Right Home and the purchase of Nellie, an 11 year old 13.2hh mare. Alicia, who was selling her, enquired if I had a use for a 17 year old 12hh lead rein, first ridden gelding.
Nellie and Beau passed their vetting yesterday and are in the trailer heading to Wildwoods, their new home. ❤️❤️🐎🐎

11/06/2025

We now have a vaccancy for a full-time instructor/ groom to join our team. Situated on the edge of Epsom Downs with 25 horses and ponies we are a BHS & ABRS Approved riding school and training/ assessment centre and Pony Club Centre. Preferable BHS stage 2 or above.
An Apprentice also considered.
Please send in your CV to [email protected]

10/06/2025

Last Minute Availability!

Wednesday 11th June
09:00-09:30
10:00-10:30/11:00
15:00-15:30
17:00-17:30

Thursday 12th June
14:00-16:00

30 minute lessons at £50 and 60 minutes lessons @£85

Please do let us know if you would like to book in a last minute lesson by emailing us at [email protected]

06/06/2025

On the advice of our vet we sadly had to say goodbye to Buttons this evening.
He came to Wildwoods as 5 year old and has taught so many children to ride over the past 20 years. He will be missed by all 💔 RIP dear Buttons. Run free over the rainbow bridge 🌈 🐎

04/06/2025

Walter Wednesday!

Hi Guys!

Today I have been busy teaching a lesson. I am helping two of our lovely clients work towards their dressage tests for the E-riders online competition!

It is great fun and you can submit a video test from one of your lessons so it is a enjoyable, no pressure way to try and win a rosette!!!

If they don't win a rosette at least we have some funny video evidence of their antics!

Let me know if any one else would like a lesson with me and I am more than happy to book you in... I have heard murmurs that the boss lady (Anthea) has been talking about making me chief dressage reader and videographer, I cannot wait :)

Tahtah for now,
Walter xoxo