calling all somerset peeps

ThePony

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Hi,
Thinking of moving to Somerset so we can acheive our dream of having our horses at home. Believe it or not, its actually a cheaper area than where we are now to buy equestrian property - scary!! Just wondering if those who live or ride around there can let me know what it's like as an area to keep horses and ride in and what its like for facilities - farriers, vets, shows, riding clubs etc and well as 'human' interests such as nice towns with good pubs etc.
Thanks loads guys!
 
Hi there are some VERY horsey areas around the outskirts of Taunton.

The Quantock Hills have lots going on, especially if you like hunting.

Out in the Hemyock area (West Hatch/Curland/Bickenhall) there are loads of private equestrian properties and there is a polo club not far from there plus the Taunton Vale Hunt.

Up towards Chard the local riding club does a lot of dressage.

Up on the Blackdown Hills/Wellington area it is a bit more happy hacker/unaffiliated competitions.

Taunton also has Pontispool XC located just outside and a race course which is very popular.
 
I am based at Stockland Lovell Equestrian Centre which has loads of clinics/comps and the cross country course. Selection of farriers (some good!) and for vet I use Andrew Walker (fantastic) at Western Counties which are in Devon just but cover most of South/ SE Somerset (Bridgwater down)
 
Im further over towards the Wiltshire edge of the county and we are also well served. The Hand, West Wilst Equestrian, Rosamund Green are all within easy reach plus there is good access to probably haf a dozen competition venues if you want to travel over the hour.

The whole county is pretty horsey to be honest. Good luck with your dream!
 
I'm in somerset too, burnham on sea sort of way and we keep our horses at home. We arent in the best bit for hacking but box regularly to the beach, mendips or quantocks. Lots of shows throughout the year I only do unaff and plenty going on, lots of summer shows in fields (still just!) Badgworth and stockland lovell are the closest comp centres to me. Lots or riding clubs to choose from see www.brcarea12.org.uk


I think somerset is well served with good vets actually, I use isle valley equine based near chard.

generally a horsey spot I think

I am not best situated for ahem 'nice' towns over this side though
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eek!
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but we have good transport links so....

eta and there seems to be loads of us on here so it must be horsey
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someone is bound to live near where you are looking and have made some good local friends via hho
 
I'm in Somertset...in a little village nearest Glastonbury/Street way. The county is very horsey really. I keep my horse on a farm and there is so much nice hacking!! There are many good equine vets around...ours does this scheme where they split the area and if you make an appointment on your areas day...say my area day is monday...then no call out charge
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Lots of good cross country/equestrian places, a lovely area for fun rides and hunting etc.

Do you live in Glos? I am at uni in Glos at the moment and I can't believe how much cheaper somerset is for things like farrier, hay, straw etc!
 
hi, i'm in a village between wells and shepton mallet, we've only got a field and stables but the hacking is fantastic. we have a box and regularly take ours everywhere, from the beach to woodland to marshes and hills etc etc. you can't go wrong. i've been in 2 diff pony clubs (wyle valley and mendip farmers) and they're both amazing, there are lots of ace equestrian centres and arenas about which we take ours to as well. you can't go wrong
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