Eleven years ago Lucinda McAlpine began exploring the fields
of alternative therapies for her dressage horses when it
seemed that their conventional training and competition
regime was causing them stress. With her move from
Brackenhill Stud to Bowhayes Farm she gradually progressed
to developing a system of keeping them closer to nature and
now over 30 horses are resident on the Farm all living
naturally without shoes or rugs. This ongoing research
project aims to find a better working partnership between
horse and rider with a view to increasing longevity and
eliminating 'problems' and 'problem horses'. This too has a
massive impact on the issue of safety in horse management.
Bowhayes Farm offers regular opportunities to take part
in study days. These cover all aspects of natural horse
management, as well as an introduction to 'Intuitive Riding'
(see Services). The study days are either individual
personalised days tailored to your requirements or can
follow a five-day course, which can be taken over a full
week, or can be taken in three stages. For more details,
please email us. Once you have completed either a course or
study day you are entitled to join us for a 'working day'
where you can participate in a normal working day and gain
further into the practical aspects of our system.
Concessions can also be made for students requiring work
experience.
Residential courses are now available. 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.
To book or to discuss tailor-made packages please call
01823-680321 or e-mail us.
On certain dates we will be arranging study tours which
will last for approx 3 hours and give an insight into the
natural horse management system practised here. These will
be for groups and are priced at £25 per person to include
refreshments. The next dates for these tours will be
published shortly.
Lucinda is also planning regular intuitive riding and
dressage clinics, as well as offering private sessions for
both horse and rider.
We are currently reviewing the current programme and
dates will be posted here soon- Please check back, call or
e-mail for
further details.
Many thanks
