*We are now in our 3rd lockdown which coming in winter, as most horse folk will know is the worst time possible as we cannot turn our horses and ponies out for a nice holiday like last time so feed and bedding costs are at their highest.

1 week ago, to fall in with Government guidelines Bowlers Riding School closed its doors (hopefully temporarily) for the very first time in 79 years.

Bowlers was started back in 1941 in the early years of World War II, a local man, Mr. Tom Bowler bought a pony called Titch for his daughters. Being a keen horseman, Tom was eager for them to learn to ride properly and began giving them regular lessons. Local people began to take notice and with a respect for Tom’s teaching method, he was asked teach the other children around the area with great success. They were learning to ride their beloved ponies safely and correctly.

As demand for Tom’s lessons increased, so did the number of ponies. So he decided to buy more of them so that more children could learn to ride and thus Bowlers Riding School was born. One of Tom’s daughters Mary, followed her fathers passion for horses and as she grew up began to teach lessons herself, eventually taking over the reins from her Father. Mary was very keen in helping disabled riders learn to ride and always marvelled how horses and ponies could help disabled riders both physically and mentally. This started a long term relationship with the RDA which is still to this day, a very important part of Bowlers. Mary and Bowlers are not only known by everyone in the local community but also all over the world. So many people learnt to ride at Bowlers and have so many fond memories of the yard. We still get messages now from people who rode here 50 years ago thanking Mary for helping them fall in love with horses.

15 years ago Mary “semi retired,” she’s not ready to be put out to grass just yet!! She handed over the reins to Karen and Pat who now run the yard, they work so well together because they have the same ethos, that Bowlers is not just a small family business, it is a hub of the local community, steeped in history and love, where people can come together, regardless of age, race, experience or physical attributes and share their passion of horses and ponies.

Next year it is our 80th birthday and we are determined to get there, this is why we are asking for your help, let’s keep the ethos of Bowlers going and get there together. We have 24 horses and ponies and our running costs are high, our ponies are used to being treated like kings and queens and we will not let that change. Here’s an example of our costs.

Hay/Haylege £50 a bale we use 11 a week £550 a week.

Straw £23 we use 1 a day, £161 a week.

Shavings £7.50 we use 6 a week £45

Fibrebeet £13.40 a bag, we use 4 a week so £53.60

Healthy hoof £13.70 a bag 4 bags a week so £ 54.80

Farrier, no shoes is £20 and front shoes is £35 this is every 6 weeks.

Most of our staff have offered to cut hours and volunteer for free to help to.

So would you like to sponcer you favourite horse or pony for a minimum donation of £25 a month?

In return you will get email updates/ pictures of your pony and a free ride WHEN we reopen. Of course if you wish to donate without sponsoring please feel free to do so!

On a positive note you are all invited to our 80th year anniversary open day/party next year, no exact date yet but don’t book any holidays in July!

please visit our facebook or instagram as we will be updating it regularly with pictures/videos of our horses and ponies plus a few of the staff!!!