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!

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!

 

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.

 

 

Ménege Planning Granted @ Redheart Appaloosa Stud

 

Eleni Randle from G Herbert Banks  (who has successfully obtained planning permission for two barns at the Stud within the last 12 months) has exceeded our expectations yet again!

We now have planning granted for a 20m x 40m ménage. In time our young stock will be under saddle and we will have the perfect place for schooling.

We have donated our 2017 Redheart winnings to Cancer Research and we were deeply touched when Eleni requested her last payment due was also donated to this worthy cause.

Thank you, G Herbert Banks 

 

 

The Right Miss Randle…..

One of the first and most important aspects of moving home, seeking planning approval for an equestrian barn.

When a person is highly recommended it’s a blessing, Eleni Randle BSc MSc MRICS FAAV AssocRTPI from G Herbert Banks. Eleni is the company’s first female partner since the firm’s establishment in 1898.

Our first contact in April 2016 set about many plans and ideas. Singing from the same hymn sheet, Eleni guided, supported and helped us overcome “a few hurdles”.

A year later, delighted to announce, we have planning granted. An agricultural barn 18m x 25m and an equestrian barn 12m x 22m along with a change of use on the land, from agriculture to equestrian.

The documentation has arrived……..Let the works begin!

Thank you, Miss Randle x