Redheart Appaloosas – The Stud

I’m sure I am one of many equestrian women, whose childhood dream it was to have a pony! Building a “large shed” at the bottom of the garden is one thing, renting a stable or two on a yard is a totally different experience and then renting a private yard is an expensive but wonderful experience but it has never just been me and my horses.

Redheart Appaloosa’s formed in 2008 and a 10-year plan put in place. Nine years on, with only one more year to compete our breeding stock-in-hand (before we compete under saddle) I finally see my adult dream become a reality.

In April 2016 we found a cottage for sale with pasture land for sale next door. After secluding the sale and eventually moving in late September, we employed Eleni Randle from G Herbert Banks, an expert required to guide us through the planning and development stages. After gaining us planning for an agricultural barn under permitted development, Eleni soon engaged to apply for ‘a change of use’ on the land, from agricultural to equestrian with the proposal of an equestrian barn and ménage.

All planning was granted in April 2017  and we wasted no time, we fenced out the horses and set out the area. There is a slight gradient to this land and the excavation was rather large, the groundwork proved an easy process of “cutting and filling”. The foundations were dug and the concrete poured.

The next task was to retain the ground to the rear and sides using gabion baskets filled with stone. After much research sourcing the right materials to complete the build, the steel frame purchased from Browns of Wem based in Shropshire. With the help of family and friends to erect the steel frame, we were ready for the delivery of over 2000 blocks.

As soon as the external blockwork completed, we commenced the preparation and laying of the reinforced concrete floor with an acco channel running the length of the building. A huge (30 meters) concrete pump landed on site to make sure ease of pouring the floor in one day, we worked until the late hours to create a brushed finish for grip.

The following week the fibre cement roof arrived from Briarwood Roofing and was again laid with the help of family and friends.

With a dry shell, the block work painted and the cedar wood (Yorkshire boarding) fixed, purchased directly from Olli Gladstone at Gladstone Saw Mill, Gloucestershire.

Heading into autumn, we took delivery of the internal stable front partitions sourced from Stables Online. A huge push to create two stables as a priority to enable our colt’s to be weaned and castrated. It seemed to have taken forever to build the internal walls, paint them and build the grills between but with the daylight hours are very short now and it’s only the weekends are we able to make progress.

So here we are, a two weeks before Christmas, what an exciting dream to fulfil. This would not have been possible without the help of our wonderful friends and family who I truly thank. The professional people who have aided us through our venture have exceeded all expectations, the Redheart horses have a barn for Christmas!

As You Would Expect To Buy A Horse….

So, we have created a foal by choosing a sire and mare that compliment each other.

Reus & PP have created Reality.

He was born alive and healthy so we are off to a good start.

The Vet completed the passport ID form and the microchip implanted.

Following a recently published veterinary paper, we have started a new worming protocol for our foals.

The passport photos submitted and the registration form completed.

From birth, Reality has encountered the farrier several times, socialized within the herd and humans.

He accepts his head collar and will lead and recently been weaned and undergone castration.

The vaccination course has started and yet in my book he is still not ready to sell!!!

How about loading and traveling?

Well, our lorry is being utilized for storage and until I can teach Reality to load and travel he’s not going anywhere!

Reality is registered with the British Appaloosa Society within their Main Stud Book. He is registered with the Appaloosa Horse Club UK within their main “A” register. He has 30/30 Appaloosa’s in his 5 generation pedigree which makes him 100% Foundation Pedigree Designated within the Appaloosa Horse Club.

A stunning, correct gelding that should make 16hh. Both Dam and Sire can be seen here at the Stud and Reality would sure welcome a visit…

FOR SALE. 

 

Redheart Foals Date with Castration…

Regent and Reality have now been successfully castrated.

We worked night and day to complete two of our ten box’s, the date made and the deed complete.

It is never taken for granted the complications that can occur after castration, thankfully Regent and Reality recovered very well from the procedure and hopefully will grow slightly taller as their growth plates will now take longer to close. One reason for castrating these boys early!

Redheart Appaloosas / G Herbert Banks

For those that follow the news, you will remember the Stud being granted permission for an agricultural barn, an equestrian barn, and manège. None of this would have been possible without the expertise from Eleni Randle at G Herbert Banks.

We are absolutely delighted to read, Eleni used the Redheart Stud development as her case study in the publication of the G Herbert Banks – Property View November 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redheart Appaloosas & The Malvern Hills….

The Malvern Hills are part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with scenic views over both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Hills run north/south for about 13 km (8 miles), between Great Malvern and the village of Colwall, and overlook the River Severn valley to the east, with the Cotswolds beyond.

The highest point of the hills is the Worcestershire Beacon at 425 meters (1,394 ft) above sea level. The hills are famous for their natural mineral springs and wells, which were responsible for the development of Great Malvern as a spa in the early 19th century.

Until recently, Malvern water was bottled commercially on a large-scale and sold worldwide.

The Malvern Hills.

We never take for granted the view we have, here at the Redheart Appaloosa Stud. 

The Inquisitive Nature of Horses….

With no stables available (yet) our fencing, ditching and general paddock maintenance during 2017 were accomplished with the help of the Redheart horses. Their inquisitive nature and the mares laid-back attitude have given the foals great confidence when it comes to machinery.


Well, you can’t take foals to the traffic, bring the traffic to the foals…

Regent and Reality have certainly been desensitized by human contact in their first five months of life!

 

Redheart Pascalius – 2016 IN HAND PERFORMANCE RESULTS….

Every year we sign up to and compete in the Inhand Performance under The British Appaloosa Society, Appaloosa Horse Club UK, and the United Saddlebred Association.  

Our home-bred filly, Redheart Pascalius finished her in hand showing campaign last year. We are proud to add these awards to her Performance Record, a credit to her as a young filly and worthy of her joining our broodmares.

A Reserve Champion certificate from the Appaloosa Horse Club UK for their Open Appaloosa Horse Club Performance Awards.

Two beautiful rosettes from The British Appaloosa Society, the Highest Points for Youngstock and the Inhand Section.


From the United Saddlebred Association, she received a Champion certificate for their non-saddle bred Inhand and utility classes along with two gorgeous sashes.

We are aiming to cover her with DFR PATAHAS REDHEART early next year, the resulting foal will be black based (AA ee) with 6 generations of Appaloosa (GAP 6). 

Thank you to the Societies for sending such lovely memorabilia.

 

 

Another quality mare for our breeding programme!

No Foot, No Horse….

I would like to take the time to say a thank you to our farrier, Tim Whittington from The Priory Forge. Working alongside Tim is Jo Hosie, between them it is without fail they meet the needs of all our horses.

One main quality of trimming is seeing the horses walk before and after a trim, a well-balanced foot is key to not only soundness but movement and performance. It is the small things that matter, Tim and Jo’s dedication to “get to know” our horses is only ever an advantage for all parties.

They have a quiet and gentle approach to the foals education. Each session, the foals come into the stable with their dams. Even at four weeks old, meeting the foals and just picking up their feet (a stranger) is a fabulous grounding for their future relationship.

Regent and Reality are in for the farrier for the 5th time, they are so content and well-behaved, thanks to Tim and his team for all your efforts.