The ride was full of challenges, as the bad weather had made many of the roads and tracks we were using very treacherous, with more than one turning into streams, making slow going. Unfortunately the monsoon weather led to one horse injury, with Sarah having to retire Morris after he fell and badly bruised his fetlock on a particularly bad path (he is fine now, happily).

The star of the ride though was undoubtedly Ghost, Nic’s 24 year old Irish Draught cross TB Despite having been diagnosed with navicular at 17, and “retired” as Nic thought, he is a true barefoot success story and has done many miles over the last 6 years, all without shoes. He absolutely revelled in the nomadic lifestyle of the ride and all the attention he received en route! He travelled the length of Wales until a kick from another horse injured his leg and put him out of action - “he is fully recovered and back in work now; it was such a shame not to be able to complete the ride on him, as he was loving it; I may have to start doing endurance with him!” said Nic. Nic completed the ride, swapping to her 9yr old hunter, Felix, for the southern section, and meeting up with friends to ride the final 18 miles across Exmoor with 3 other barefoot horses.

Qualified Equine Dental Technician