Livery Testimonials

     

 Moving my mare to Abbotts View Livery is the single best thing I could have done for her. I knew nothing of track systems at the time and consider myself extremely lucky to have discovered Amy and AVL on my search for a more suitable livery yard for us both. There is nowhere else I would want her to be, and being the sensitive mare she is I don’t think there is anywhere else that she would now accept! Life at AVL is completely different to where we were before. I know she has the best possible care, both on a day-to-day basis but also at those times when she needs a bit of extra looking after. Amy and her team are exceptional - so knowledgeable, compassionate, friendly and efficient. They’re also a lot of fun and incredibly supportive of us owners as well as our horses. It’s been over 4 years now and we are still enjoying ourselves just as much as when we arrived. From the fantastic riding facilities and friendly faces to the beautiful countryside (with bonus alpacas, sheep and goats), AVL is a very special place and we are grateful to be part of it. 

Jenny Shaw

     

 I moved my 3 ponies to Abbotts View Livery (AVL) in 2021. It was a big decision as I had looked after them all on my own DIY track for 7 years before that. I am now an hour away from them vs 5 mins before but I have never regretted that decision. I get to spend quality time with them three times a week now whereas before I would be so busy with the chores that I couldn’t focus enough on them. Amy has looked after my ponies as if they were her own. It has been a huge relief as I feel like I have a partner to make decisions with me. Before I moved to AVL the winters were really tough by myself dealing with mud, snow and rain and worrying about the ponies being cold or wet. Now I know that they have the barn for shelter and someone on site to make the necessary rug changes. The summers have become much hotter with climate change but at AVL they have shade, a breeze and a mister system, plus someone keeping an eye on them. My old boy Owen had his last 4 years with Amy and had his individual needs catered for during that time, he was so happy being able to play with the horses in his herd but have his old man time when he needed it. My retired pony has been able to come off medication with his arthritis now that he has freedom to move and a soft surface in the barn and sand pit. My ridden pony has been able to keep his weight under control and asthma issues with the wrapped hay and never being stabled. The whole team are fabulous too and are all work together on giving the best care of the ponies. Because there is a mix of retired, ridden and non ridden horses and ponies at AVL it has never been a problem to use the fabulous arena which has been a great asset and hasn’t frozen or flooded. The ridden track around the horses tracks provides safe riding ground to combine with the arena. The atmosphere at Abbotts View is super chilled and supportive and without the yard politics that I have experienced in the past. I could go on but this has been the best move I’ve made for my ponies and for me . 

Amy Whidburn

     

 "I moved my horses over 200 miles to bring them here after looking at so many yards I never thought I'd find what I was after. I needed somewhere to suit my arthritic, laminitis-prone, retired horse where he could live out and enjoy being a horse without being in horrible restricted paddocks. Amy cares so much about the horses and goes above and beyond to make sure they are happy. My horses are so relaxed and happy and I am too because I know that they are well looked after when I'm not there. " Louise, owner of Dan and Lenny 

Louise Stobbs

     

 Moving our old boy to Abbott’s View gave him a new lease of life, and he enjoyed a bonus two years in a loving environment that really suited his arthritis. Although we couldn’t stop the inevitable he had the best retirement possible, with people and horses who loved, cared for, and respected him. Nothing was too much trouble for Amy, and she treated him as one of her own (and spoiled him rotten!), for which we will be forever grateful. 

Graham Turner

     

 I joined AV in August 2017 with my two hensons horses Bull and Belle. Bull has insulin regulation issues and has steadily gained weight since coming to the UK, which became too much of a problem. They have always been barefoot so after coming to view the yard on a Wednesday, Bull and Belle arrived on Friday !!! I have never looked back ! AV is everything I’d hoped for and more. On top of the feature that Amy works hard on (no mud, horse safe fencing, etc... see website), I have found so much more. Physically my girls have changed, from never being stabled anymore, constant movement, and meeting various surfaces... their feet are so much better too. They no longer need hoofboots when going on stony ground. Mentally both horses are happier too ! Belle used to be a complicated horse, scared of everything. She is now in regular work, improving her physical fitness and emotional fitness everyday through the variety of environments we can work on/with (hack/forest/fields/round pen/local schools). The ability to hire schools next door or down the lane helped this winter too. I truly believe we wouldn’t be as advanced as we are now in our work and relationship if we hadn’t come to AV ! What it changed for me is also very important : I don’t worry about my horses anymore !!! Amy takes care of all the horses like her own (if not more), so being away on holiday (or a sick child, etc) is never a worry. One of my horses allowed Amy to approach her when she was napping in the field before she allowed me, that’s how good Amy is ! I have also found a group of likeminded friends, with different life paths which is always enriching and in turn benefits our horses too. I am impressed by Amy's constant aim to better the facilities and her ability to second guess and reassess. Amy also tries hard to take everyone’s opinion into consideration, which is great comfort, discussion is always welcome. Being able to just relax, laugh and breathe, in harmony with humans and horses (and alpacas and pigs and goats and sheep)... that’s the invaluable feeling at abbotts view. 

Dona Poitrat

     

 My bare-foot trimmer suggested Abbotts View Livery when I was looking to move my rather fragile thoroughbred from a yard that was fading and closed-down three weeks after I left. It was the second yard where the owners had moved on and I wanted to find somewhere run by someone young and enthusiastic. Amy was young 22 or 23 when we arrived. There was a track, a barn, a lot of wind, alpacas and boundless energy. The flatness and the wind put me off. The horses, the humans and the mission statement that could have been written for me won me over. "My mission is to create a livery yard for like-minded people where their horses are free to express their natural behaviour and is a place of retreat, where people challenge themselves to build on their relationships with their horses and offer encouragement, guidance and support to one another." We moved. Flare is a complicated creature and the track system ended up not suiting her. I fell for Amy, her family, her partner Curtis and my fellow liveries, but thought I had to move my horse again. She was seizing up, (partly old injuries, party her reluctance to move) and her fragile thoroughbred soles were getting thinner by the minute. Meanwhile tracks had moved, a round pen had been built, another barn put up, roads put down. I loved the sense of being in on something as it grew. A wind turbine appeared, as did a cattery, and happy crowds of alpaca walkers and needle-felters. I felt gutted, but said to Amy I was thinking of moving my horse. She said what does she need. I said, ‘An old fashioned paddock and a friend’. Amy provided it. We stayed. She did better and then sadly worse again. I decided to retire her At the same time, I decided to find a horse who was structurally sound and whom I could ride. Martine Lettau of Spanish Mustang’s came into my life, as did Bloo. She’d written a piece about him, and that was pretty much all I needed. He has exceeded all my expectations and although I thought I would have him where Flare moved to, I decided I would rather travel to two different places that lose the magic that I’d found at Abbotts View. The horses, the people who love them; their generosity, modelled by Amy and her willingness to come with, hold, wait, support, laugh, chat and photograph, just at the right moment. She not only looks after our horses but looks after us. Herbs, bushes, mounds, schools are being spoken of. There is little that stops this young woman. Hooray! It is not perfect, but I have incredibly happy times here with horses and humans. I recommend it. A last comment. I have never been photographed so much in my life as I have by Amy. It makes me laugh. I’m beginning to love it. Em Farrell 

Em Farrell

     

 When I think of the lengths I have had to go to with previous horses to manage their weight and, in one case, severe metabolic issues, I wish I had found a track system earlier. My PRE mare moved to Abbotts View in December and despite having 8 weeks off during lock down in the peak grass season, she is 50kg down on this time last year and maintaining a healthy weight without having to spend time in a stable, have her diet restricted or wear a muzzle. 

Liz Williams

     

 My idea of horsey heaven - Amy is wonderful and i know my horses are cared for exactly as if I were there, even when I'm not! She loves them all and treats them all as well as she does her own. 

Anna Walton

     

 Abbotts View Livery is an amazing place for horses. My mare has arthritis in her hock, and needs to move or she gets very stiff. She can also suffer from sugar related problems in the spring/summer. The track system means she is moving all year round, has constant access to forage, without risk of weight gain and metabloic issues. Amy is vigilant, and as soon as she sees as issue she acts. Due to the great set up, it is easy to manage issues without a whole heap of stress. The fencing is also super safe and strong (gone are my days of catching escapees and reinforcing electric fences!!). The track, neighbouring field and round pen mean I can exercise my mare safely, and Amy also helps with this when I'm busy. A lovely relaxed environment with lovely relaxed, knowledgeable staff. highly recommended. 

Laura Ward

 I moved my horses to Abbotts View in July 2020 after having turned them away on another track over 150 miles away from home in the early part of that year for rehabilitation purposes. Despite the fact they were doing brilliantly, I was extremely keen to have them much closer to me but intent on keeping them on track so was delighted when spaces came available 20 miles away instead at Abbotts View. From day 1 of my first communication with Amy I have always found her to be sensible, practical, highly knowledgeable and with wisdom far beyond her years. Her passion for the space she has created, the philosophy for her business and each and every animal at Abbotts View is incredible. I have a retired racehorse and a quarter horse who both have several different issues ranging from hormonal, confirmation, impact of a traumatic racing life and injury recovery and at times have been at my wits end trying to find the best for them. My quarter horse in particular has struggled with being highly grass affected and prone to bouts of laminitis, a deep digital flexor tendon tear that never seemed to fully recover and general foot soreness. She suffered with abscesses during the year as well as struggling a lot as her soles were so thin. My ex-racer had difficulty keeping his condition and was extremely stiff (likely arthritic) behind as well as still finding it hard to be barefoot. Roll on a few months and my horses are both doing brilliantly. The combination of Amy’s hard work and commitment and Kat, our trimmer’s great advice and handiwork mean they have made it through a tough old winter more sound, in great condition and generally in the most brilliant head spaces. This is really important for me as I use the horses for therapy work and need them to be happy in body and mind in order to be able to offer themselves up to others. I can’t recommend track life enough and especially Abbotts, a truly special place. Infact, I’m starting to think we will never leave!!! 

Claudia Ackenson

     

 Having Dreamer at Abbott’s View Livery is an absolute weight off my mind. Knowing that he is happy, playing with his friends and receiving the best of care possible, is such a relief. He is a sensitive soul therefore eyes on him is needed and I know with Amy and the team, that is always the case 

Charlotte Bagg

     

 My pony Buck was diagnosed with EMS nearly 2 years ago and it was a tough ride. I had to pull him off of grass and away from his herd and I watched him slowly get more sad, get thinner and he lost the spark in his eye. Everything done was cruel to be kind but it broke my heart seeing him so down and I didn't know if I could ever make it better for him again. Until I stumbled across Abbotts View Livery website and it just seemed perfect. I was prepared to be put on a waiting list in the hope that one day me and Buck could join the yard. But Amy had a space come available and soon enough we were making the move and I can tell you, I never want to look back. I have my old pony back and it puts a lump in my throat to see him so happy again. Amy is caring, attentive, loves them all like their own, vigilant, passionate and so helpful. As a very protective pony mum, I have no issues or concerns leaving Bucks primary care down to Amy. Buck is living his best EMS life and its a huge weight off of my shoulders. Thank you and Amy and Team 

Izzy Louise

     

 When I think of the lengths I have had to go to with previous horses to manage their weight and, in one case, severe metabolic issues, I wish I had found a track system earlier. My PRE mare moved to Abbotts View in December and despite having 8 weeks off during lock down in the peak grass season, she is 50kg down on this time last year and maintaining a healthy weight without having to spend time in a stable, have her diet restricted or wear a muzzle. 

Liz Williams