Mandy Goodwin

Hi Plato Thank you very much for your constructive advice.  At present my horse is kept in the barn - which eventually will become our house.  However, we are looking to use the stables for those who are competing in the area or wish to have a stop over on their way to Spain or Toulouse.  My horse has her own mind and with this cold weather she was offered the option to go out by me leaving the stable door open and free access into the field - her decision was - I'm not going out in this weather thank you very much.  Although she has trees etc to stand under and hedges to shelter her from the wind she detests the rain and as soon as it's starts she will go mad and automatically request to be brought in.  I must add that she is an ex race horse and when I first got her she had never even been in a field and it took a long time for her to adjust to being out in the open space of a field. I take on board everything that you have said and have had dealings with people like Richard Maxwell and agree with the majority of things.  However, horses are individuals and therefore you must treat them as such. If you would be able to give me some guidance on plans for stables that would be great.  Only if you do not object to someone putting stables up! We live in 19. Thanks again Mandy    

Good luck with bringing your horse over.  I recently had mine transported across back in November by an excellent company called JP International (you can find them on the web).  She was collected from the yard she was at and stabled at their stables in Hythe in Kent until they departed for France.  They kept me updated on the progress and when she would arrive.  When she arrived she was as calm as anything and they said the only bit she was unsure about was the ferry crossing.  However, the luxurious transport she was in she was quite happy!  They were brilliant and have cctv in the lorries to continually keep an eye on them.  Don't worry they will travel fine I think I had the colic etc instead of the horse! In respect of feed I am still having problems trying to find something similar to what I used to feed, so if anyone can help with advice I would be grateful.  Good luck with France its brilliant (even though it's cold at the moment) Mandy (19)  

This is probably too late now but if you are still in France then I don't know if this will help.  I have just recently transported my horse across from England and was thinking of bringing a pony with me.  When I rang DEFRA they said that the pony now needed a passport.  As you are probably aware from the 28th Feb 2005 passports are now law in England however if your documents have the drawing of the pony and his/her markings then it should be sufficient.  However, I would recommend ringing DEFRA.  Alternatively a transport company may be able to help. Hope this helps and is in time! Good luck with Britain! Mandy  

Can anyone provide me with details on companies which supply kit forms for stables?  We are looking to build 6 stables with a barn and the quotes we have been given for someone to erect stables are extortionate!  Thanks Mandy