HIGHER HOUGHTON STABLES
Livery yard & Rehabilitation

Higher Houghton, Winterbourne Houghton, Blandford, Dorset DT11 OPG
Tel: 01258 881103
email mjhoughton@aol.com
www.higherhoughtonstables.co.uk

Higher Houghton Stables - A combination of helpful, dedicated staff, a peaceful environment and excellent equestrian facilities make Higher Houghton the perfect choice for livery or rehabilitation for your horse.

What's On Offer at Higher Houghton Stables? Higher Houghton Stables offers a full range of livery packages and equestrian facilities for liveries, visitors and event organisers. And, if you want to bring your horse on holiday or to go hunting, there are also two spacious apartments for let in a converted 17th century barn.

Livery at Higher Houghton

Facilities at Higher Houghton

A full range of livery packages, from full hunter livery to part livery. At Higher Houghton, you can choose a livery package to precisely meet your needs:
Full Hunter Livery
Includes all bedding and basic diet, daily turn out, exercise, turnout for hunting, delivery to meet and collection.
Full Livery
Includes bedding, basic diet, daily turnout and use of all facilities.
Part Livery
Includes bedding, basic diet and daily turnout. For full and part livery, exercise can be arranged and charged as required.

Winter grazing is available by arrangement.

• Riding Professional resident on site.Hill rides and woodland trails throughout the 600 acre farm.All weather floodlit arena 50mx30m.Summer jumping paddock.Cross country courses 1' 9" - 3'.
• Horse walker.
  
  

Higher Houghton is ideally positioned for three hunts and within easy striking distance of two more.

The Portman is the local hunt, but it is on the borders of the South Dorset and near both the Blackmore Vale and the Cattistock.

Higher Houghton has hunt jumps all over the farm and the current owners' grandfather was an MFH of the Portman and was painted by Lionel Edwards and Peter Biegel.
They have horses regularly hunting and offer a full hunting livery as well as other types of hunting packages for both adults and children.

Higher Houghton offers an amazing calm environment for horses and ponies recovering from injuries or needing post operative care.
The owners are frequently referred cases by vets and offer a complete range of rehabilitation packages - from complete box rest to fitness work. Situated at the end of the private 3/4 mile drive, walking horses in hand and long reining are easily done. There is also a horse walker and 50m x 30m all weather arena. The hills around Houghton are also helpful in returning a horse to full work.
Staff always work very closely with the referring vet and the physiotherapist who is regularly available to provide help and instruction. All instructions are followed scrupulously. The blacksmiths are experts in remedial shoeing.
Higher Houghton's aim is to restore any sick horse or pony to full health and to ensure that it feels 'mentally' restored as well. In addition, staff work with riders who have lost their confidence and/or good relationship with their horse or pony.

Higher Houghton operates in an extremely child friendly environment and works with livery ponies and children all the time - they will happily take on outside ponies and their riders with 'problems'.
This is a particular area of expertise for the resident Professional, who ran a prep school riding department for over 5 years.
Higher Houghton's aim is always to ensure that a child and pony are suited, confident and have a good time, whilst attaining a positive and safe partnership.

The cross country courses at Higher Houghton are designed to give every rider a lot of fun. The mini course is set mostly in woodland and is particularly designed so that the ponies can go 'on track'. There are 11 fences, including logs, barrels and tyres, each offering a different challenge for the rider. The larger course runs across downland, with fences from 2'3" - 3'. The course is altered and improved on a yearly basis - this year we have added a step complex and two coffin complexes. There are also corners, a trakhener, a wall and even a boat jump! There are more than 18 fences on this course.The courses are suitable for schooling and instruction or for pure enjoyment. The South Dorset Pony Club and the local Riding Club regularly use Higher Houghton for instruction and schooling. In addition, The Portman Pony Club hold their annual hunter trial here and instruct their senior Pony Club members over the jumps.The cross courses at Higher Houghton may be hired for individuals or group rides. They may also be hired for one day events and hunter trials.

Meriden
Named after Meriden Down, the Romano British village settlement (written about in Pevsner) situated on the downland above the yard. The Down is uncultivated, unspoilt and steeped in history. It consists of ridges and ditches covered in rare plants and wild flowers.Sleeps 2 (plus two futon bed)Celtic Field
Named after the celtic field and village settlement adjacent to Meriden Down. The view of the valley from here is spectacular and the atmosphere electrifyingly ancient.Sleeps 4 (plus two futon bed)Each apartment is centrally heated and fully furnished with a modern kitchen, TV and DVD player. The layout is such that both apartments can be hired together, and enjoyed as one large interconnecting space.With horse...
The facilities at Higher Houghton are ideal for 'Horse and Rider' holidays. You can enjoy unparalleled hacking on the farm and beyond on Dorset's many bridleways. Our resident Professional is always on hand to help with lessons, cross country and show jumping coaching, schooling for any problems you may be experiencing with your animal or your riding.

...or without
But you don't have to be interested in horses to enjoy the special environment at Higher Houghton. We are literally in the middle of Dorset - in fact, a clump of trees on one hill is called 'the middle of Dorset' by older local people. The area offers brilliant walking, excellent local pubs and many sites of historic and cultural interest. In addition, the coast - a world heritage site - is only half an hour away by car. Alternatively, you may prefer just to 'chill out' and enjoy the very special 600 acres that surrounds you.

Yes

There are 20 mixed stables built in a traditional brick and flint yard, with a further 10 stables behind the yard in one long stable block.

Individual and group tuition available. Children welcome and well catered for.

CONTACT
HIGHER HOUGHTON STABLES

email mjhoughton@aol.com

HIGHER HOUGHTON STABLES
Contact: M J Wright

Higher Houghton Stables, Higher Houghton, Winterbourne Houghton, Blandford, Dorset DT11 OPG Telephone 01258 881103
Fax 01963 23064

www.higherhoughtonstables.co.uk