Best place in Devon to keep horses

[welshcob101]

Best area to keep horses in Devon or more specifically East Devon? Abundance of yards, hacking, near by venues etc. Thanks in advance

 

[SlinkyMinxy]

I wouldn't say that anywhere in Devon has an abundance of yards! The best areas for hacking in East Devon are Woodbury Common, Mutter's Moor and around the East Hill Strips (Ottery St Mary), all of which are pretty close to Bicton Arena and other smaller venues. The Blackdown Hills on the Devon/Somerset border also has some really lovely hacking. Hacking in Devon is very location-specific though and a few miles either direction can make a big difference. In some areas access to off-road riding is virtually non-existent.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I wouldn't say that anywhere in Devon has an abundance of yards! The best areas for hacking in East Devon are Woodbury Common, Mutter's Moor and around the East Hill Strips (Ottery St Mary), all of which are pretty close to Bicton Arena and other smaller venues. The Blackdown Hills on the Devon/Somerset border also has some really lovely hacking. Hacking in Devon is very location-specific though and a few miles either direction can make a big difference. In some areas access to off-road riding is virtually non-existent.

^^^ This. Totally agree. I live in the East Devon area betwixt the New A30 and the Jurassic Coast, and when I needed to be looking for livery it was impossible to find a postage-sized paddock anywhere in the area.

Hacking: our hacking from my yard is 99% roadwork - with a Permissive Bridlepath which runs right beside the dual carriageway. If you have transport you can box up to Woodbury Common - but then the issue is parking. They blocked off the best and most easy-access car park at Joney's Cross right on the A3052; the only other place on the whole common where you can park is Wheatsheaf up on Dalditch common, and the access to that is frankly appalling. Clinton Estates are not exactly horse-friendly!

Yards? There are very few in actual fact. Most of the land around here is either owned by Clinton (who don't allow their tenant farmers to run a livery yard), or Killerton which is National Trust (who again have very strict criteria).

There are a few private yards like mine scattered around; also the biggies like Hitts at Whimple & Newhall. Bicton College may be able to offer livery (there is a private yard there, not sure who runs it now), or "working livery" is offered as an option at the college if you are prepared to let students use your horse.

 

[supertramp]

Broadclyst in East Devon, it has the Ashclyst forest, which isn't over run by push bikes unlike Haldon forest, some great places for a hack, close to the M5, and competition venues. Also a few yards locally.