Longthwaite Cattery

Loose boxes each have an integrated tack room for the horse’s equipment and feed, including a full height lockable cupboard for secure storage of tack and equipment. The boxes are timber lined to chest height and allow full visual communication between neighbours. Three boxes allow full tactile contact over the dividing walls, and we use these for horses that get along well and appreciate the opportunity to groom each other.

Paddocks are sized for three horses and we turn out according to the best mix of horse compatibility and owner needs. All fencing is permanent, and the tubo-rope electric fencing is electrified from mains supply. Paddocks are harrowed and rolled in Spring, and we re-cycle the composted midden onto the fields to retain soil health without using artificial fertilizers.

Stable yard facilities include electric lighting and running water, and we have  a dedicated bay with an electric socket for clipping, any veterinary procedures, and to keep the farrier dry in wet weather! It also houses the kettle and functions as a warm spot for coffee on a cold winter’s day.

Riding areas include a lunging corral with a wood chip surface, which doubles as a handy spot to contain a horse that needs to stay close to the yard. A grass arena provides a menage, and we have a variety of styles of jumps, and an “equigym” for in-hand work to supple and strengthen and build co-ordination.

Our rates are £95 per calendar month for each stable with paddock grazing (approximately one acre per horse). Hay and bedding are sourced separately. We do not provide any services for clients, but we are a small friendly yard and everyone mucks in to help each other out and to keep the place tidy.

About Us

Dr Emma Creighton

A native of Keswick, Emma returned to Cumbria in 2011 after a university career lecturing and researching in animal behaviour and welfare. After writing and delivering an MSc course that trained clinical animal behaviourists and animal welfare assessors, she now works from home and gets her hands thoroughly dirty with the cats, horses, sheep and chickens at Longthwaite, and helps her human clients understand and resolve their animal’s problem behaviour.

Emma has applied her knowledge and experience of the captive animal sector to design the animal (and human) facilities at Longthwaite, aiming to meet the species-specific needs of the animals and to create harmonious relationships with their human carers.

Her past DIY and small business experiences have been developed to become the estate management skills needed to run and maintain a small diversified farm. And it sometimes feels like rotating through all the roles in Downton Abbey on a daily basis!

Emma is also involved in animal charity work and, with Major David Montgomery, founded the Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) that has co-ordinated the animal training and behaviour therapy industry into developing standards of knowledge and practice for practitioners who work with people and their pets.