Riverstown Farm Stables

11/07/2025

Question to anyone out there especially in Uk and Ireland if you have access to indoor arena will you continue to ride in this heatwave tomorrow & Sunday from 12pm onwards?

Seems to mixed reviews on this

11/07/2025

This makes me very sad to see especially in this heat in a country that’s not used to high temperatures, we are not accustomed to it but the show must go on when money overshadows horse welfare especially the weekend that’s in it.

10/07/2025

This is how it should be, horse before sport! Well done to Cardiff Riding School leading by example!

Important update

Due to the change in weather forecast and increased temperatures Friday 11/7/25 we will be cancelling ridden lessons from 4pm onwards.

All lessons up to and including 3:30 privates will go ahead. Feel free to request a hack or stable management session if you’d prefer that during your lesson.

If you’re due to be riding Friday from 4pm, please comment below or give us a call asap to arrange your next lesson.

We’re all working hard to keep our horses as cool and comfortable as possible and hope you understand the need for cancellation 🧡

10/07/2025

🌤️ 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝! 𝐔𝐤 & 𝐈𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝.

With temperatures set to climb this weekend, it’s not just us feeling the heat our horses will too. What feels like a welcome dose of summer can quickly become a welfare concern if not managed carefully

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 11 (𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰) 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲, 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 23-26°𝐂

•🌞 Ideal for turnout: Mild and sunny perfect for extended paddock time.
•💧 Water availability: Ensure horses have access to fresh, cool water all day.
•🧴 Sun protection: Consider light sunblock or fly sheets if your horses are fair-skinned or prone to sunburn.
•🧺 Grooming note: With warm weather, horses sweat more, groom regularly to avoid skin irritation.

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 12 𝐇𝐨𝐭 & 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲, 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 28-30 °𝐂

•🕒 Adjust turnout times: Avoid midday sun (12–4 pm). Opt for morning or late afternoon turnout.
•🧊 Hydration & cooling: Provide access to shade, salt lick, and plenty of cool water. Misting or hosing after exercise helps cool them safely.
•🚫 Exercise caution: Schedule rides in cooler hours (early morning/evening) and keep sessions light. Avoid intense work in heat stick to walking, hacking, or light schooling.

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 13 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 & 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦, 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 27 -30°𝐂

•Similar care as Saturday:
•Morning or evening turnout and exercise only.
•Misting and shade are your best friends.
•🧽 Skin care: Inspect for sunburn or sweat rash, especially under gear and harnesses.

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭:
Shade: Ensure paddocks have shaded areas or portable shelters
Water: Keep multiple water sources filled and shaded
Salt & Electrolytes: Provide salt licks; consider electrolytes after exercise
Cooling Gear Use: hosing, misters, or ice boots post exercise
Timing Plan: turnout and rides in cooler parts of the day
Grooming Increase: grooming frequency to avoid heat related skin issues

This weekend’s heat is more than sunshine, it’s a welfare test. Prioritise early turnout, real shade, cool water, and minimal work. Watch for subtle signs of heat stress. Welfare means staying ahead, not reacting late

AND DO NOT BOTHER TO TRAVEL!

09/07/2025

𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐬

If you grew up riding in the ‘90s or early 2000s, particularly under the keen eyes of a Pony Club instructor, you’ll know exactly the sort I mean. These weren’t the “gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement” types you hear about today. No, they were built from tougher stock. Rain didn’t cancel lessons; it just meant you’d better not forget your gloves. And sympathy? That was reserved for the pony if you bounced on its back or let it drift onto the forehand.

They taught more than just riding. They drilled in discipline, turnout, respect for the animal and above all, accountability. Stirrups had to be even. Boots had to shine. If your tack wasn’t clean enough to eat off, you were sent back to start again. They didn’t yell, not always, but their disappointment cut deeper than any raised voice.

Looking back, many of us owe those instructors more than we ever said at the time. They expected high standards because they knew what horses deserved and they gave us a sense of pride in doing things properly. You weren’t just learning to ride; you were learning to care, to try again, to stand up straight even when your legs were jelly after too many no-stirrup canters.

It wasn’t always easy. It wasn’t always fun. But it was formative.

And when we teach now or watch the next generation come through the ropes it’s worth remembering those who taught us. Mud on your boots didn’t matter. But a lazy leg or untidy line did.

Because back then, riding wasn’t about likes or rosettes. It was about learning to ride well, look after your pony, and not make excuses.

And maybe, just maybe, we could do with a little more of that again.

08/07/2025

𝐍𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲

You see it all the time now.
“Looking for a horse, no thoroughbreds.”

Just like that. As if they’re not worth the message.
As if they haven’t already given so much to so many riders.
As if they haven’t already shaped the horse world we all benefit from.

𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭.

Without them, there’d be no blood, no brilliance, no careful infusion of heart and stamina that built the sport types we all admire.

Not every thoroughbred is straight off the track and ready to Grand Prix.
But the good ones? They’re brave. Quick to learn. Often more honest than we deserve.
And some of the best teachers you’ll ever sit on.

So maybe it’s time to stop writing them off and start remembering where so many of our “fancy horses” actually came from!

Rather a thoroughbred or thoroughbred cross any day than a warmblood cross!

( and I love some warmblood breeds)

My own exracer Russel and young horse Coco couple of years ago.

07/07/2025

06/07/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥

You want to know how a horse is doing? Don’t look at the rug. Don’t ask the rider. Look them in the eye.

Not the Instagram version. The real one. The flicker of worry. The flatness that wasn’t there last week. The tension, the question, the resignation.

That’s welfare.

We’ve been trained to check the saddle, the hooves, the feed. But how often do we check the face? The eye doesn’t lie. You can’t polish it. You can’t school it into silence.

Every horse tells you who they are and how they feel if you can be bothered to notice.

So look. Properly.

Before the signs scream. While they’re still whispering.

04/07/2025

Wanted to share this what Island Riding Centre have put in place for their riding school ponies 😍

What a brilliant idea and so good for the horses welfare!