Livery and General Horse Culture in Cambridge?

khalswitz

khalswitz

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Hey all,

I am a student in Cambridge, looking to bring my horse down next academic year (probably sometime in November). I've been here 3 years, but don;t really know the local horse people at all, having only ridden at home. It's a bit early to start actively seeking livery, but I would love to know what kind of places are available within cycling distance of Cambridge (up to 5 miles) and what the horse scene is like down here. Are there decent low level ODEs and show jumping comps/leagues nearby? What is the hacking like? Who are the decent vets/farriers instructors to get ahold of? Any info is much appreciated!
 
Yeap it's not cheap! I am a student in Cam too, My share horse is near the Wimpole Way track which goes through Kingston and the Eversdens, it is great hacking I think! http://www.cambridge-horse.com/bridleways.html There is a bit about it on there.

I am wanting to buy my own horse at the moment and DIY livery seems to be minimum 75 PCM without loads of hacking and otherwise is about 100-120. There are some really swanky polo yards if you like that sort of thing but quite expensive! Also most places are quite far out, I am thinking of moving to Ely or maybe Newmarket as rent is much cheaper and may be more practical to just drive in to uni!

It seems to be nigh on impossible to find any type of grass livery and turnout is a bit limited :-(

I have not done any kind of horsey socialising but I hear the College of West Anglia does some events and stuff which I think I will investigate as may be able to hack there :-) http://www.cwa.ac.uk/facilities-equine.html
 
If you are happy with grazing have a look at the Fen Ditton Horningsea area as a lot grazing here, also cheaper although we rent college land which is far more expensive than usual only about 2 miles out of Cambridge and has cycle path all the way. Although hacking over this side of Cambridge is cr*p and your horse will have to be able to pass over the motorways safely otherwise not too much hacking.

CWA for events is really good but unless you have transport there is not much around. If you do have transport there is a fair bit if you can travel into Norfolk Suffolk and Essex :)
 
mandwhy said:
That's where I live fornema! I see lots of horses around but not often any people attached so don't know who to ask :-(
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Horningsea always has spaces just ask whoever you see :) In regards to Fen Ditton a lot is part grazed at different times of year and sometimes all year round again its just a case of asking anyone you see or talk to the village councils , although ours is grazed as too expensive to not.
However weve recently asked the college to split our grazing and someone is renting out the second half and not using I could find their number and you could phone them if you can use part of it as it would save them money.
Whereabouts are you exactly and i can maybe recommend.

Also a lot of the horses are unridden and don't seem to be tended to very often which i've always thought odd but got used to it hence a lot dont seem to have people attached. Literally I've had horses here now 7 years and dont know most of the owners.
 
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I keep my horse at South Cambrisgeshire Equestrian Centre www.scec.co.uk and it is great. Christian & James are really nice & there are number of liveries there plus the riding school horses. Use of indoor & outdoor school, plenty of hacking both completely off road and on roads/ bridleways. The care is very good and they really care about the horses. There are plenty of things to do around the area. They do not do diy livery but for part livery you get all bedding, food, good quality hay and a free group lesson each week. It is just outside Cambridge near Barrington and is 8 miles from the centre of Cambridge. You can also get the train there. The prices are average for the area. Have a look at the website. They also put on competitions and courses for the liveries & pupils. They have had a number of students keep their horses there & are used to the comings and goings at term time etc.
Hope this helps.
Emma
 
Oh I forgot to say that the horses are turned out in small groups, they have a good farrier and there are plenty of good vets in the area & yes you would need transport to go to competitions. But there are some liveries who would share the cost of hiring if there are competitions / events that you might want to go to (me!)

emma
 
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