Does Anyone Have Their Horse at Littlebourne Farm, Harefield?

[PercyMum]

Hi All

After extensive and very geeky research, I think that Littlebourne is going to be the best option for me. Hopefully someone can answer the few questions for me?!
1) Is the hacking good?
2) Can you gain entry at around 6am?
3) Do they do 24hr turnout?
4) Are people on the yard nice? ie if its winter and your horse is left out, will someone grab it in if you are having a nightmare and can't get away from work?!

Im going to go up there tomorrow but I'd like to make sure that its the right place for me before I start bothering people!

Thanks in advance! Alternately, if there are any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

 

[eva]

Hi, I was there for 3 months last year, so can only answer from my experience.
1) there's a 20-min walking track round the fields, and you can also hack 15 mins on the road to Bishopswood (I think that's what it's called) and 30 mins on the road to Ruislip forest. Roads are fairly busy but Ruislip forest is beautiful.
2) not sure, can't say.
3) as far as I know, not. Also, fields are very poor on grass, there's literally nothing much to eat, which is good if your horse is a good doer. Maybe they did something about it, it's worth checking out.
4) mainly the people were nice, but I don't really know re catching in - I was on full livery and felt that grooms are mainly young girls who often forget about your requests. It's not very professional. But you see, I'm a Patchetts fan, I guess that's not what everyone wants. If you're into your jumping and like a fairly busy yard, then it's a nice place. Also, Lawrence Bardoo is a great sympathetic instructor who keeps his horse there.

Again, it's biased opinion, don't take my word for it, that's just one person's experience hope you find it nice.

 

[PercyMum]

Thanks Eva! I'd be a Patchetts fan too- I have my other horse in a similar kind of livery at home but this is for my semi-retired boy just ton potter about at. I might look at Batchworth again but was worried about how cramped the aisles were- fire risk I thought !!!

 

[eva]

I've shared a horse at Batchworth. It's much quieter there than at Littlebourne, but there's fewer facilities... Although Bishopswood is right in the doorstep and you can always hack to Littlebourne for a competition. The fields are much better quality. That's all I know! I thought people were friendly on Batchworth anyway, it's worth taking a look at both to see what suits you better!