Top riders Christmas Day yard routine Taking care of horses doesn’t stop for Christmas, so Robinson Animal Healthcare caught up with their team of sponsored riders to find out what Christmas on the yard is like for them.
Sophie Wells
“The horses have Christmas Day off and I usually give my grooms the day off too. I’m up early to get the horses fed and mucked out and then they all go on the treadmill. Christmas Day is all about juggling horses and food!”
Bubby Upton
“It’s important for me to make the most of the Christmas period as it is the only time that both myself and the horses get to enjoy some down time. All the horses on the yard get Christmas Day off, so we do the yard jobs in the morning before I get to enjoy the rest of the day with my family.”
Louisa Milne Home
“This Christmas we have my brother and sister, plus their wife/husband and children coming up to stay with my Mum and Dad, so that will be lovely. On Christmas Day we normally do stockings first thing then go out and feed up, muck out, and put all the horses out in the field. On Christmas Day the horses usually go out with a bit of tinsel on their rugs.
“This means the horses can have a nice full day out in the field so we can enjoy Christmas, before bringing them back in at 3pm for a change of rug and feed and then we are all set for Christmas Dinner. Finally, we do a check on the horses just to wish them a last happy Christmas and give them their late feed.”
McNab Eventing
Event riders Kevin and Emma McNab will be celebrating Christmas in their native Australia but the team on the yard will be keeping the winter routine going over the festive period and will be enjoying a big team Christmas lunch.
Laura Goodall
“Christmas Day on the yard is usually a rushed one. We normally have an early start to get all the yard done and finished before starting to prepare for when all the family come around for Christmas lunch. If the weather permits the horses usually get a day off to chill in the field and an extra treat (usually carrots) in their dinner.”
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.