Healthy Hooves Equine at Higher Manor Farm

Healthy Hooves Equine at Higher Manor Farm Roam•Rest•Reconnect

Track-Based Full & Retirement Livery
Supporting horses through movement, managed grazing and individual care.

11/08/2026

Making mornings run smoothly 🐴❤️

A little preparation behind the scenes makes such a difference to our morning routine.

Once a week, we make up each horse’s dry feed ingredients into individual bags, ready to add to their freshly made soaked fibre each morning.

It means less time measuring and preparing feeds and more time with the horses — grooming, picking out feet, checking everyone over and, importantly, simply having time to observe them.

Our horses soon get to know the morning routine and are usually waiting very patiently for their turn! 😂

Keeping things consistent and unhurried helps make the barn a calm place to be. And when you see relaxed horses happily coming in, eating their feeds and enjoying all the attention, you know the routine is working for them. ❤️

A bit of preparation = calmer mornings and more time for the horses. 🐴

05/08/2026

A challenging summer for farmers… 🌾☀️

This year’s hay harvest has certainly tested us.

Our late-cut meadow hay, harvested under a Countryside Stewardship agreement, can only be cut in August. It’s ideal for our track-based livery system as it’s naturally lower in sugar, but we never make assumptions—we’ll be testing it again this year to confirm its nutritional values.

The prolonged heatwaves have meant we’ve produced around half the amount of hay compared with last year, and with lower yields across the country, hay prices are likely to rise this winter.

Just days before baling, our contractor’s baler caught fire. Thankfully, he was uninjured. With our hay still needing to be baled, another local contractor stepped in at short notice to help us.

Thank you to my husband, Rob, for all the long days and hard work that went into this year’s hay harvest. Farming is never easy, but it’s a great feeling to have the hay safely in the barn. 🌾💚

03/08/2026

Although I don’t ride Gus anymore, we still love spending time together. On Saturday we headed down to the river for a paddle, and he was such a good boy. He took everything in his stride and thoroughly enjoyed cooling off in the water.

It’s a lovely reminder that time with your horse doesn’t always have to be in the saddle. Sometimes the simplest moments are the most enjoyable. 💙

28/07/2026

Behind the scenes…

Last week we started building our new purpose-built isolation area.

Every new horse joining Healthy Hooves Equine will spend their first two weeks here before being introduced to the resident herd.

The isolation period isn’t because we expect horses to be unwell. It’s an important part of good biosecurity, helping to reduce the risk of infectious diseases being introduced before horses join the herd.

Just as importantly, those first two weeks give each horse time to settle into their new surroundings, take in the sights, sounds and smells, establish a routine, and build a relationship of trust with us before meeting their new companions.

The new area will have its own shelter, water trough and access to part of a track, allowing horses to keep moving while they settle, rather than being confined to a stable.

It’s still a work in progress, but we’re looking forward to seeing it all come together.

Watch this space… we’ll be sharing more photos as it comes to life! 😊

23/07/2026

🪱 Why we use Faecal Worm Egg Counts (FWECs)

One of the questions I’m often asked is whether we worm all the horses on a regular schedule.

The simple answer is… no.

At Healthy Hooves Equine we carry out regular Faecal Worm Egg Counts (FWECs), which tell us whether a horse actually needs worming.

If a horse does need treatment, we worm appropriately. If they don’t, we don’t worm just for the sake of it.

Alongside testing, good pasture management is just as important. Our tracks and grass paddocks are poo picked every day, we use separate wheelbarrows for hay and dung, and hay is transported around the tracks in dedicated containers on the quad to help maintain good hygiene.

Combined with regular FWEC testing and good pasture management, it’s an approach that helps us manage worm burdens while avoiding unnecessary worming.

It’s just one of the many ways we work to keep our horses healthy and happy.

13/07/2026

The last few days have been all about keeping cool. ☀️

One by one, everyone’s had a hose down before heading back into the shade of the barn or the shaded areas of the track.

I always love seeing their different personalities come out. Some would happily stand there all day, others aren’t quite so convinced… but they all seem to appreciate it once they realise how nice it feels! 😄 🐴

08/07/2026

Taking the Time to Get It Right ❤️

Every herd writes its own story. 🐴

Every horse is different, every herd is different, and every introduction deserves the time it needs.

We always begin with a two-week isolation period. It isn’t just about protecting health – it gives the new horse time to settle, learn the routines, become familiar with the sights, sounds and smells, and build trust with the people caring for them. That creates a much stronger foundation before introductions even begin.

From there, we take things one step at a time, watching every interaction closely. The horses tell us far more than any manual ever could.

One of the most fascinating parts is seeing friendships and herd dynamics develop. Ruby and Pongo have quickly become the best of friends. Gus and Ruby have always shared a close bond, while Gus and Alfie remain great companions. Poor Alfie seems to be finding his place at the bottom of the pecking order again, which isn’t unusual as everyone settles into their new relationships.

We’re really happy with how they’re all settling together. It’s been lovely to watch their friendships begin to develop naturally, and we’ll keep taking things at their pace as they continue to find their place within the herd.

Our biggest takeaways?

✨ Take your time.
✨ Watch every reaction, especially during those first nose-to-nose meetings.
✨ Be prepared to adjust your plan if the horses tell you they need something different.

The goal isn’t to rush them into living together. It’s to build a calm, trusting herd where every horse feels secure.

Sometimes, the slowest approach is actually the quickest route to long-term success. ❤️

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Higher Manor Farm
Weymouth
DT35DL

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