Bowhayes Farm
Culmstock
Cullompton
Devon
EX15 3JY

Telephone 01823 680321
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If the answer to any one of the questions on the right is yes then you are probably feeling quite depressed but this is not necessarily the end of the line for you and your horse. Lucinda has kept around 35 horses in this way for over 13 years and having competed to a high level in the conventional system is well aware of the differences. Maybe we can offer you an alternative:

Come on a Study Day at Bowhayes Farm and see that there is ‘another way’ to work with a horse. Have the opportunity to discuss your horse’s problems and see or even ride the Bowhayes horses at close quarters. Make a connection that will provide you with back-up and links to other therapists.These days are specifically tailored to your areas of interest, be it intuitive riding, the unshod horse or natural horse mangement and are available to a maximium of 4 participants. It is your day for you so let us know how best we can help you ! £135 per person including VAT.

Book an assessment session (otherwise known as marriage guidance counselling for horse and rider !) to give you the knowledge and confidence to continue your work with your horse at home, whether that is purely for pleasure or in preparation for competition .£50 per session including VAT.

Come schooling with your horse. Schooling is available all year round, and Lucinda is currently working on her innovative approach that she calls 'INTUITIVE RIDING' (see Press page for details) which embraces both horse and rider and improving their mutual confidence. Although the horses here are unshod, we can offer short-term schooling for shod and stabled horses when they are accompanied by their owners: stabling arrangements can be made locally for you.
After extensive restoration work our accommodation is now up and running and we are welcoming an increasing number of guests. Bookings range from simple B&B for passing travellers and show competitors to those who wish to soak up more of the "Bowhayes experience" and bring their horse for a number of sessions. Stabled, shod horses are able to make use of excellent local livery facilities whilst more naturally kept horses can spend the night right outside your window !
Bowhayes Farm is a thatched Devon longhouse built, we think, in the 1600's. We have tried to retain its period features wherever possible and the accommodation has been finished to a very high standard using natural materials such as reclaimed oak and slate.We offer 2 double bedrooms, each with private bathrooms and guests have use of a sitting room with wood burning stove, TV and DVD. We provide tea and coffee making facilities and catering for lunch,tea and supper can be arranged at extra cost ( bookable in advance only).
The farm sits on the hill above Culmstock and enjoys breathtaking views along the Culm valley and on a clear day across to Exmoor. Breakfast can be a choice of English or continental and is sourced from local produce whenever possible. £55 per person per night including VAT.


Come for sessions on the lunge. Lucinda specialises in working with riders who have lost their confidence. By working through simple exercises riders can improve their 'feel' on the horse and build confidence in their ability, whilst identifying areas of tension that block their communication with the horse. Lunge horse, Barty, is particularly helpful and previous clients have re-found their their confidence after accidents, long periods out of the saddle, or after bad habits and postural quirks have set in from riding difficult horses.These sessions can be worked into study days or combined with the training of the horse to further improve the horse/rider partnership. We think of these sessions as an 'yoga on horseback'! £50 including VAT.

Send your horse to us for intensive schooling. Whether it be for backing, problem-solving, transition to barefoot work, or competition and sales preparation, Lucinda only offers personal attention to every individual horse in her care. Send your horse for a weekend, a week, a month or remain on permanent livery: provided you are willing to embrace the stress-reduced naturalised lifestyle here, your horse will always be welcome. £200 per week + VAT.

Lucinda is also happy to travel to clients for sessions, clinics, demos, and in an advisory role.


There is always a range of youngstock and naturalised ridden horses available for sale at Bowhayes Farm. If you are looking for a naturalised horse or pony, or for a star of the future, or if you want your horse schooled and presented for sale in a positive and professional environment, please contact us.
We can also offer a leasing scheme where you can 'own' one of our horses on a monthly basis. The horse remains here, all equipment, keep, training etc are provided for a monthly fee. It is an ideal opportunity for those wanting to try a 'natural' horse, perhaps even in competition circumstances without having to invest any risk or extra time. This scheme covers from youngsters to Grand Prix dressage schoolmasters.

EVERY HORSE IS SPECIAL. EVERY HORSE IS CAPABLE OF PRESENCE AND PERFORMANCE. EVERY HORSE IS WELCOME. OUR SYSTEM IS AIMED AT RAISING YOUR CONFIDENCE SO THAT YOU CAN BECOME YOUR OWN TRAINER/EXPERT. WE ARE GETTING IT RIGHT WHEN YOU DON'T NEED US ANYMORE !

This is the understanding that remains central to the ethos of Bowhayes Farm.

Have you ever had a horse that everyone says will never be any good.

Has your horse been written off by the vets and several trainers?

Does your horse have deep-rooted man-made psychological problems?

Have you simply lost confidence in each other?

Are you fed up with your horse being seeming to be incapable of doing the things that you bought it to do?

Copyright 2007 Lucinda McAlpine  last updated 29/03/2008 15:36