Jane Salmon with "Rocky" - (Holiday Livery)
I can't thank Michelle and Sheila enough for looking after my boy last week while I went on holiday. I was apprehensive as Ive never left a horse in full livery before but they did a fab job. Rocky was so happy I don't think he wanted to come home! They kept me informed of his work throughout the week and for once I didnt get homesick as I knew he was in safe hands. And an added bonus was all my tack/rugs had been cleaned when I collected him!! I can highly recommend Michelle and Sheila for looking after Rocky and would definitely use them again ... thank you x
Jane, Sophie and Molly Snowball with "Lady & Star" - (Pupils and Horse Finder Services)
Over the past year Squid has been a huge inspiration to both myself and my two daughters. Through her guidance and support she has helped me regain my confidence and find us the newest addition to our family, Star. Squid takes the time to understand each horse and owners needs and will always endeavour to bring out the very best in both. I cannot recommend her highly enough, she is a true talent and a fabulous role model for young riders. A special thank you to Shelia (mum) too.
Anna & Imogen Gill with "Acey & Elvera" - (Purchaser and now a Pupil)
We first met Squid when my daughter tried Acey, a mare that she had on sales livery.
Squid made the process of purchasing Acey very straightforward and worry free and she held our hands and Acey's hooves through saddle fittings, coaching sessions and some trying times while Acey and Imogen settled down together. Nothing was too much trouble for her in helping us whenever we needed, including calling dressage tests at shows and helping Imogen with warming up for show jumping at her first outings to compete with Acey.
I was delighted when Squid was able conjure up our second horse six months later, and again supported us through the process of buying and settling in another horse.
Her wide range of competition experience, winning numerous national titles and representing GB at an international level makes her very well placed to advise and coach to an exceptional standard.
Squid is professional, experienced, highly competent and honest and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone that needs help buying or selling a horse, with coaching, schooling, confidence building or general equestrian advice.
Squid made the process of purchasing Acey very straightforward and worry free and she held our hands and Acey's hooves through saddle fittings, coaching sessions and some trying times while Acey and Imogen settled down together. Nothing was too much trouble for her in helping us whenever we needed, including calling dressage tests at shows and helping Imogen with warming up for show jumping at her first outings to compete with Acey.
I was delighted when Squid was able conjure up our second horse six months later, and again supported us through the process of buying and settling in another horse.
Her wide range of competition experience, winning numerous national titles and representing GB at an international level makes her very well placed to advise and coach to an exceptional standard.
Squid is professional, experienced, highly competent and honest and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone that needs help buying or selling a horse, with coaching, schooling, confidence building or general equestrian advice.
Clare Roe & "Charlie Brown" - (Rebacking/Schooling Livery)
Michelle has re-backed our cobb Charlie for us as he hadn't been ridden for a long time through previous ownership and a serious injury. She has done a really great job with Charlie getting his weight down as he was very rotund and getting him to a position where 'we' as novice riders can ride him. We have all found Michelle really friendly and approachable you can ask her for any advice or help which has been a great learning curve. I would definitely recommend Michelle and the service she offers and wouldn't hesitate sending Charlie back for further training if needed or buying a horse off her in the future.
A BIG THANK YOU TO MICHELLE AND MUM!
Jason Spray & Gem - Purchaser
When I finally realised that my feet were touching the ground on my 14.2 connie we knew straight away the place to go to find and amazing horse with lots of talent and we were right. Two months ago we brought Squids much loved horse, Princess Penny Pops and we have been 110% happy with her ever since. As I have a very worrying mum, aka, Mother Hen, it was important for us to find a safe horse who can do a bit of everything and take me further in my riding and knowledge of horses, so when I fell in love with a 16.1hh, KWPN, 4 year old you could understand why my mum nearly had kittens, but after Squids help and a couple of lessons with excellent trial facilities she proved to my mum that Penny was the perfect horse for me. Squid also offered an excellent after sales service (normally unheard of) helping us at our first show where we were delighted to come 1st, just proving what a good horse we had brought. In our experience there isn't always a great deal of honesty in the horse world, so it was refreshing to deal with someone who is not just honest when it comes to purchasing the right horse but is totally professional and capable of riding and producing horses to an extremely high standard at sensible prices. I would have no hesitation selling or buying a horse from Westend Equestrian and wish Squid the best of luck in the future.
Amy Stone & Penny - Purchaser
When I finally realised that my feet were touching the ground on my 14.2 connie we knew straight away the place to go to find and amazing horse with lots of talent and we were right. Two months ago we brought Squids much loved horse, Princess Penny Pops and we have been 110% happy with her ever since. As I have a very worrying mum, aka, Mother Hen, it was important for us to find a safe horse who can do a bit of everything and take me further in my riding and knowledge of horses, so when I fell in love with a 16.1hh, KWPN, 4 year old you could understand why my mum nearly had kittens, but after Squids help and a couple of lessons with excellent trial facilities she proved to my mum that Penny was the perfect horse for me. Squid also offered an excellent after sales service (normally unheard of) helping us at our first show where we were delighted to come 1st, just proving what a good horse we had brought. In our experience there isn't always a great deal of honesty in the horse world, so it was refreshing to deal with someone who is not just honest when it comes to purchasing the right horse but is totally professional and capable of riding and producing horses to an extremely high standard at sensible prices. I would have no hesitation selling or buying a horse from Westend Equestrian and wish Squid the best of luck in the future.
Kayte Cushion - Purchaser
I met squid in 2013 when I enlisted her help to get me riding my young cob (Mildred) after completely losing my confidence and not actually being able to get Mildred to move. In just one lesson she not only rode my pony to prove she was safe she also had me walking and trotting in all 3 of our arenas! She was an invaluable support to me through out. Last year I was also fortunate enough to be in a position to view one of Squids most treasured horses 'Doodle Bug'. Again, unsure of my own ability Squid was patient, supportive and helpful. She allowed me to ride doodles numerous times in all situations to ensure she was the horse for me (for doodles sake as much as my own) before I made the decision to buy her, not to buy her, buy her, not to buy her and then finally take the plunge and bring her home. Doodles has been every bit the kind, gentle and forgiving mare that she was advertised as, which I attribute to the way she has been handled and taught during her time at westend equestrian. There have been no nasty surprises and squid has remained supportive and encouraging even now 1 year on. I would certainly recommend Westend equestrian and will remain forever grateful for the opportunity to own such a wonderful loving mare.
Tina Fox - Backing Livery
"I just wanted to say I highly recommended Michelle Lowe would like to thank her for backing my young horse "MJ". Michelle had to start from the beginning as I haven't done anything with her before she left. MJ had a very bad experience with a previous lady but Michelle managed to gain her trust and in no time MJ was hacking on roads, round her tracks and in the school. Also the after care she offers when your horse is home is fantastic! I would use Michelle every time! Thank you again Michelle xxxx"
Paul and Frances Atkinson - Cullinghurst Stud (www.cullinghurst.com)
Michelle Lowe has been employed both in a full time capacity at Cullinghurst Stud initially in 2003-2005 and most recently over the past 12 months on a freelance basis. She has assisted in riding and producing our ridden show horses and has competed on those horses from time to time with success. Michelle is a really excellent jockey - sympathetic but at the same time firm, fair and superb in dealing with problem horses. She has for the past 6 months ridden our current show team which consists of 2 National Champions and 1 Novice champion Arabian - D'Aartagnan, SG Jeddah and Frozti and our Horse of the Year Supreme Champion Broadstone Doulton. These horses vary from 14.2 to 17 hands and she rides each in an accomplished and stylish way - she is a brave rider, a keen and experienced show jumper and at the same time quite capable of backing and starting youngsters. While lightweight - Michelle is a highly effective rider who takes obvious care of her charges and a pride in bringing on babies kindly and correctly. In her early years with us, she was a regular rider of Muzonomy (pictured) - Supreme Champion Arabian AHS Nationals and Supreme Arabian champion at HOYS in 2005. We would recommend her services very highly.
Tabitha Adair-king & Chilli (Sales Livery @ Westend Equestrian)
Thank you very much to Michelle & co for helping me sell my pony chilli, without her I would never of been able to do it. Not only did she take chilli bring on and tidy up at very short notice, but she also dealt adverts and with the people that wanted to view her. Made the whole process very easy and painless for me. My pony was shown off to her best advantage and was even taken x country so we had some photos to show customers...
I would highly recommend if you need anything done with your horses from selling to competing.
Thank you .... Tabs and chilli
I would highly recommend if you need anything done with your horses from selling to competing.
Thank you .... Tabs and chilli
Hannah Parker & Star (Backing)
'We were recommended to Michelle Lowe for her services in assisting us to back our young horse 'Star', having completed all the ground work ourselves, Michelle came over to us, to sit on her for the first couple of times. Michelle installs confidence in both horse and owner with her kind, quiet, confident and professional manner. Within three sessions she was mounted, walking and trotting off the lunge and had myself riding as well. Having kept in regular contact to find out 'Star' progress and always being there as a helping hand/adviser. Michelle subsequently came over and hacked 'star' out for the first time and only today we took her to Michelle's yard where she babysat me hacking 'star' for our first ride out. Michelle is very highly regarded by us and we would most certainly use/recommend her services again.'
Natalie Chapman & Fern (Sales Livery with Westend Equestrian)
Hi Michelle
Thank you so much for all your help and assistance selling Fern. I know you treated her as your own. Schooling, excercising and taking her out having fun whilst finding the RIGHT new owner for her. You took the time to get to know her character and understand her and even made time to give her a cuddle, thank you. It has been really refreshing meeting somebody so honest, passionate and dedicated. Wishing you much success for the future.
I can highly recommend Michelle to anybody that needs help schooling/re-schooling, breaking, competing or selling their
pony/horse - a true horsewoman.
Thank you
Thank you so much for all your help and assistance selling Fern. I know you treated her as your own. Schooling, excercising and taking her out having fun whilst finding the RIGHT new owner for her. You took the time to get to know her character and understand her and even made time to give her a cuddle, thank you. It has been really refreshing meeting somebody so honest, passionate and dedicated. Wishing you much success for the future.
I can highly recommend Michelle to anybody that needs help schooling/re-schooling, breaking, competing or selling their
pony/horse - a true horsewoman.
Thank you
Jodie Wright & Rosie (Schooling/Working & Holiday livery with Westend Equestrian)
I sent my mare Rosie to squid to be brought back into work after having 10 months off due to injury, I had lost my nerve after not riding for so long and was to worried to get back on board, Rosie went to squid for 4 weeks, during the 4 weeks that she was there squid has worked wonders with Rosie getting her back out onto the roads and working in the correct outline helping to rebuild the muscles.
While Rosie was at Hall Farm/Westend Equestrian I was able to go over and hack with squid helping me to regain some of my confidence. Squid has also managed to get Rosie hacking alone, something which I have never been able to do myself! Without squids help Rosie would probably still be stood in the field with an owner to nervous to get back on her and unable to decide what to do with her, Rosie is now on the right track to getting back to full work and with lessons from squid there will be no stopping us!!
Helaina Parkinson & Star (Schooling Livery with Westend Equestrian)
My horse star was with Michelle to have work done on her schooling, hacking in company and jumping and in all the time she has been with Michelle she has come on leaps and bounds, she is now more forward going while schooling, not over excitable when hacking in company and has proved her love of jumping by jumping up to 85cm and showing how good she was at cross country by jumping logs in the wood. The yard has a very friendly atmosphere, nice horses and great facilities including a course of jumps that includes filler, water trays, planks and much more and now my horse can jump all of these fences with no problem whereas before she went to Michelle she couldn’t even get over a cross pole without knocking it down!!, an arena down the lane and acres of off-road hacking and unlimited visits to your horse. Star settled in straight away and is now full of confidence thanks to Michelle.
Claire Wilkins & Luna (Livery)
I've recently had the pleasure of keeping my horse at Hall Farm Livery but sadly as she was only on loan, she had to return to her owner. In the 6 months that I've spent at the yard I've felt 100% happy and comfortable that she was safe and well looked after and have really enjoyed being part of such a friendly and relaxed place. As a complete novice in horse ownership I was grateful for the guidance given by Yard Manager Michelle Lowe aka 'Squid' who was always available to offer help and advice or organise me when it came to buying feed or arranging farrier and vet visits. In my short time at Hall Farm I've seen Squid make numerous improvements including erection of new fences, the installation of a 'shower area' with heated equine shower facilities, new feed store and the purchase and renovation of a superb new horse lorry. With her knowledge, natural talent for riding and handling horses and ambition to drive
her business foward, both Michelle and her well run yard can only go on to achieve big things..
her business foward, both Michelle and her well run yard can only go on to achieve big things..