Harlequin

Where did it all begin for me

I was a lanky, skinny thing when I came to Wildwoods in December 2006. I’ve grown quite a few inches and filled out a lot - in fact when the dealer who sold me came to the yard she hardly recognised me! I enjoy being a school horse and am doing some jumping now that I am a bit more co-ordinated with my brain and my feet. Jumping is really good fun and sometimes I forget myself and do a little buck afterwards as I’m so pleased with myself! I’ve been round Woolgars Farm cross-country course a few times. It’s good fun jumping into the water!

I nearly died in March 2011. I was rolling around in terrible pain during the night and the staff found me lying on the stable floor, exhausted in the morning. The vet came and gave me something to help the pain, but it didn't help for long. i was taken by Anthea in a trailer to the veterinary hospital and the vet told Anthea that they would either have to put me down or operate. A loop of my gut had fallen through a hole in the gut membrane and become trapped. They said I was very brave. I don't remember much after that - only that people were taking off my shoes, putting needles in me and I didn't know what was happening. I was very pleased when I woke up in a padded stable. Apparently, I had been on the operating table for over two hours. Anthea came to visit me a few days later and I thought she had come to take me home, but she came back a few days later. When she walked away, I called to her as I thought she was gouing to leave me there. i went back a few weeks later to the hospital and they checked to see if the hole had closed and were happy. I wasn't there for very long this time. All the staff ther said I was a very good patient and stood quietly while they changed my dressings.

I'm all bettter now and back in full work. Anthea said it cost over £7,000 to mend me, but I'm glad they did!

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Wildwoods Horse riding centre and school in surrey specialises in horse riding lessons for all levels of riders and disciplines including cross country, dressage and showjumping. Why not join us at our riding school and centre in surrey to get the very best tuition and develop your horse riding skills quickly and safely.

To make sure that you and your horse receive the best from our riding school, we have attained British Horse Society status. BHS Approved riding schools and BHS Approved livery yards comply with the latest health and safety guidelines.

The BHS Approved Centres are insured against public liability, and the welfare of horses and ponies is their main aim. British Horse Society inspectors conduct unannounced yearly inspections to ensure that standards are kept high at BHS Approved establishments. At present, livery yards do not need to be licensed in the UK. This could mean that even basic standards are not always met. However, this is likely to change in the future. Livery Yard Licensing is currently being considered as part of the new Animal Welfare Bill.

The scheme aims to encourage improved standards and provide some kind of 'regulation' of livery yards. All cat and dog boarding kennels have to be inspected and licensed by law and, although the livery yard scheme is voluntary, it will provide a means for livery yards to prove a certain level of competence and standard of facilities and care, thus helping to improve welfare requirements for horses all over Britain. There are now more than 900 BHS Approved Establishments across the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Italy, Dubai, Malaysia and the USA. BHS - Working for every Horse & Rider

ABRS Approved Riding Centres: The ABRS has Britain's longest established riding school approval scheme (since 1954). It is the only organisation solely representing professional riding school proprietors and is thus ideally placed to assist and guide young people seeking careers with horses. It has a wide ranging examination and testing system which enables teenagers to build up worthwhile gradings and certificates in preparation for leaving school and taking up full time training.

An 'Approved School' is a riding centre which has been inspected and found to be satisfactory by one of the National Approved Schemes. The Association of British Riding Schools conducts such a scheme, setting a high standard for horse care and requires to be satisfied that the instruction given is well presented and correct in content. The size of the establishment is immaterial, we have both very large and very small fully approved member schools. Some have only very basic facilities, but provided they meet our high standard of care and attention to both horse and rider, we are happy to accept them as members. All riding schools, according to law, must hold a licence to operate their business. The licence is granted by Local Authorities.

Approved establishments serve all sections of the riding public, whether they ride for pleasure or have more serious aspirations such as a career with horses or competitive endeavour. Conferences and information days are conducted throughout the country at which members and the public may attend. The object is to inspire, increase knowledge and keep standards high.

The Association wishes to reassure the riding public that if they select an ABRS Approved School, they should receive sound instruction on suitable horses and ponies using good, safe and well kept saddlery. Obviously the level of instruction may vary between establishments but all standards are available, and information is contained in the membership list in the Handbook.

Once a school is approved, the Association expects the standard to be maintained at all times.