This week, an independent vet came to Bourne Vale Stables for the inspection that underpins our 5-star licence to operate. It is one of the most thorough days in our calendar, and it goes much deeper than most people would expect.
An in-depth review
She walks the yard, meets every horse, and reads her way through the welfare paperwork that sits quietly behind the scenes. You might be surprised to learn just how much there is to it. There is, to put it mildly, a lot!
What 5 stars means
The inspection is a key part of what earns us our 5-star licence to operate. It is something we have been incredibly proud to hold ever since the scheme came in.
The 5-star standard isn’t just a label or a sticker on the wall though. As a riding school, it is the bar we hold ourselves to every day of the year, regardless of when the next inspection falls. Every horse on the yard has their own healthcare plan. Every saddle has its fitting record. The tack has a safety inspection register of its own. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface of the detail, record keeping and care that goes on behind the scenes.
Betty, Bruno, Jane, Rio and the rest are looked after as individuals, because that is what they deserve.
Come and see for yourself
If you’d like to see how a 5-star yard actually runs, our Open Day is on Saturday 16th May, from 11am to 3pm.
Yard tours run at 11:30, 12:30 and 1:30. Pony grooming throughout the afternoon. Sit-on-a-pony sessions are available for ages 3 and up between 1pm and 2pm, booking essential. The heritage tour is at 2pm, and refreshments will be on site all day.
No booking needed for the Open Day itself. Just drop in.
Saturday 16th May | 11am to 3pm