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Nocturnal

Nocturnal

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Posted a similar thread in NL not long ago, and got some helpful replies :) but thought I’d canvass CR too!

So, I’ve just moved horse to somerset, and am looking for recommendations for the following:

Physio/Chiro etc
Saddle fitter

I’m probably sorted for farrier, but if you have any particular recommendations (or recommendations AGAINST) I’d like to hear them :)

Area is Churchill/Langford - BS40 postcode.

Bit of background on the horse: 7yo TB gelding, been out of work for 2 months with a stifle problem, no topline (!), just starting to come back into work, and I’m aiming to get him ready to event from the start of next season. Any of the above professionals who you’d particularly recommend to help with that would be great!
 
Oooh, you're near me! Welcome to them there Mendips!

I use Nicki Routledge (McTimoney Chiro) for backs, Ian from Equicraft for saddles, and Lisa Collins as a farrier. Pretty sure Lisa isn't taking on any new clients at the mo, but feel free to PM me if you would like contact details for any of the above.

ETS: Have you joined/are you interested in joining an RC? Jut thought I'd mention that Blackdown Mendip RC is fab. Think some of our comittee members are HHOers too.
 
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Katie_A said:
Oooh, you're near me! Welcome to them there Mendips!

I use Nicki Routledge (McTimoney Chiro) for backs, Ian from Equicraft for saddles, and Lisa Collins as a farrier. Pretty sure Lisa isn't taking on any new clients at the mo, but feel free to PM me if you would like contact details for any of the above.

ETS: Have you joined/are you interested in joining an RC? Jut thought I'd mention that Blackdown Mendip RC is fab. Think some of our comittee members are HHOers too.
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Thanks :D

Yeah, joining an RC is def on the cards! Will have to wait until horse is working again, and loading (on the transport I don't have yet), though! :p
 
I use Paul Horner to shoe. Been great to deal with so far.

As for vets - The Stables Practice come recommended. I personally would not go near Bushy.

I use Lindsay Oberman for chiro - she is awesome and no nonsense.

Blackdown Mendip RC are fab and we have some lessons that would be hacking distance for you.

I have never had any trouble with Garratts saddlers but have known them a long time. Nat Underwood covers that area but he will only sell new. Equicraft are good and have won BETA awards.
 
Good ones already mentioned.

Paul Horner is a very good farrier.

Ian and Dee at Equicraft are awsome and go above and beyond.

I know what some say about Bushy but they have been a great vet for me. This includes some serious stifle problems.
 
Thanks LEC & doonrocket :)

I'm with Willesley EC atm, who have been very good and who know the horse, so I don't really want to change vets, though I might for the routine stuff.

LEC - is there a website with lesson dates for the ones that are close by? Would be very handy if they're within hacking distance.
 
welcome to somerset!!!

i use Andy Manners as my farrier hes totally brilliant

another one for the stable equine vets (i mostly have Tim Randle tho)

and also Niki Routledge is fantastic physio, and Ian from equicraft is a fab saddler and is based not too far from you!!!
 
Thanks Pinktiger :D A lot of people have mentioned equicraft, I'll give them a ring, I think!

LEC - thanks for the website!

doonrocket - yep, they merged not that long ago. Still separate clinics, and I've been very happy with Willesley, but have no experience of Bushy...
 
I've had 2 very bad experiences with The Stables and we now use Silva House, not sure if they cover your area, Sandy Kincaid is a really nice vet.

I use Charlie Pickman for teeth and a lady from Oxford for backs.

Can you hack up to Roberrow/Blackdown alright from where you are? Really good riding.
 
2nd vote for Sandy - love Sandy. Have had good and bad experiences with Stables and Bushy, do like to spread my risk..... Do find Bushy horrifically expensive tho.
Where you are I might look at Langford vets tbh, only over the road.

I know virtually no back people I would allow near my horses, I recently used a friend who just qualified as an Equine Chiro, but don't use a back person unless I have to. If I had to recommend anyone it would be Lou Simmons who is based in S Glos & is a physio.

My farrier is based in Bath so not much use to you.

Don't really use a saddler, but need a saddle so will be trying Julia Garrett.

Charlie Pickman is an excellent dentist, really can't recommend him highly enough.

Might see you at some RC stuff!!
 
Charlie Pickman for dentist - hes really good.

Another not overly keen on the stables, but dont really know any others medip way.

Backs - We use a woman called Jo Heuff who is amazing. Shes from Taunton so a fair way but looked up on google maps and its no further to you than it is to us. But she is utterly brilliant. Really really good.

Our farrier is called Lee Tibbats but i'd imagine you are too far, unfortunatley as he is amazing.
 
Blackdown Mendip RC gets the thumbs up from me too, as do Garretts Saddlers and Bushy vets. Haven't had the best experience with Equicraft saddlers...but other people say great things about them, so could be worth a try! Best of luck and may see you out and about!
 
You are not far from us. Most definitely rate Bushey. If you want to hear about The Stables, pm me please as wont post on open forum. Guess its each to their own.

Dont know about RCs as am not a member, but guess you are too old for PC, as would recommend Mendip Farmers!

PM me for McTimoney back person as cant remember her name.
 
Thanks, guys - some good intel :D

Interesting how so many people have different experiences with the same vets/saddlers etc. Trying to find decent practitioners is a bloomin minefield!

Am too old for PC, yeah. Might see some of you around, though :D I'm completely clueless about hacking in this area, but it's supposed to be good, so am looking forward to getting the monster fit for next year :)
 
I also second Lindsay Opperman as a chiropracter, and as many others use Paul Horner as a farrier. Saddle fitting I find a nightmare and just depends on what you are looking for and what stock they have in but again, equicraft and garrets are worth a try
 
Andy Manners as a farrier for me, Lindsay Operman or Penny Gunter for backs. The Stables or Willesley for vets - Bushy in an emergency (have had great service from them this year but am v picky about who gets to come and see the horse!). Willesley for anything diagnostic though.

Garretts have been great for saddler but as mentioned before I do know my stuff on that front, Nat Underwood is brilliant but also £££. Charlie Pickman as equine dentist, really superb, though impossible to get hold of in the eventing season, so book ahead (or have your horse's teeth done in winter which is my approach!).

Blackdown Mendip are a fantastic RC, but then I would say that, wouldn't I?! ;)
 
If you're still looking for people and not completely overloaded by all the suggestions, then for farrier I'd suggest Nick Heath. I'm around Glastonbury so not too far, and he does my girl's feet. Does a lot of racehorses, handles them excellently, and is very familiar with the feet of TBs.

As for physio/chiro, I've used Jo Verhaeg once before though she came to me very highly recommended by several people who've had her out to see their horses, and I found her to be brilliant.

Best of luck ;)
 
I've fairly recently relocated to Bristol. I've used Will Cooper for teeth (v good), Kate Davies (McTimoney and Merishia) for backs, and will have first experience with Garratts for saddle fitting in a couple of weeks. Feet - Danny Downton. Am also a (rather impressed) member of the BMRC - they have so much going on, tonnes more than my old [but to be fair, much smaller] club!
 
dieseldog said:
Can you hack up to Roberrow/Blackdown alright from where you are? Really good riding.
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ps - and sorry to hijack slightly (OP I hope you don't mind?), but Dieseldog (or anyone else in the know!) - are there freely available off road tracks to use for hacking at Rowberrow? and can you get to them off the A38? Is there parking at all? The other day on the way to Badgworth I passed a sign on the left to Rowberrow and this reminded me that someone had said the riding is really good up there.

Thanks!!
 
SW3 said:
ps - and sorry to hijack slightly (OP I hope you don't mind?), but Dieseldog (or anyone else in the know!) - are there freely available off road tracks to use for hacking at Rowberrow? and can you get to them off the A38? Is there parking at all? The other day on the way to Badgworth I passed a sign on the left to Rowberrow and this reminded me that someone had said the riding is really good up there.

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

It's brilliant hacking. I'm sure there will be other suggestions, but you can go and park at the Swan Inn: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place...ipham,+Winscombe,+Avon&cid=650590156904302074

Then you hack up through the woods to the top. Brilliant hack, and when you get back you can have a plate of chips and a pint!
 
Lisa Collins for farrier (she may take more on worth asking)
Scott at bushy for vet
pals for horsey feed etc
mole valley farmers for bigger stuff but they also do rugs etc

Re. Roberrow - parking at swan great - but unless having lunch (food is good) you need to be gone by midday - all off road apart from one lane to cross - can also cut through to burrington as well. Weekday mornings no one else there normally - few others at weekend but parking never a problem.

I go to roberrow at least once a week so may see some of you there (have silver 4x4 and equitrek, stupid few spot appy horse and mad dog - cant miss me)
 
Sounds amazing, thanks for the info folks. Think I'll spec it out sans neddy during the week and then hopefully take a trip at the weekend. Our livery is on a very busy road so we have been very limited in terms of riding out to date.... I work in education, so this should be a fab place to go mid week during the hols, can't wait!!
 
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