Facilities
Discover our Facilities
Vincents is a stunning 16-acre farm based in a quiet, rural village just outside Taunton. The yard has 18 fully refurbished, rubber matted, brick-built stables. All equip with a window overlooking the yard and fields. The stables are naturally light and bright, but every box is fitted with LED strip lighting and an automatic drinker.
Vincents Farm is a hotspot for nature and wildlife. Bursting with colour throughout the year. The layout provides a relaxing and healthy environment where horses can be horses whilst still obtaining the very most out of their training experience.
Here at Ella Pickard Racing we take great pride in every aspect of racehorse training and consistently strive to develop and improve our facilities. Within the next year we will have installed a solarium, water treadmill, saltwater therapy, sauna and padded vet box!
YARD
Our brick built American style barn provides a quiet and comfortable space for each horse to relax, each stable is fully rubber matted and cushioned with a bedding of choice between straw and shavings the horses get the opportunity to conserve their energy whilst enjoying locally sourced forage in the finest accommodation.
We believe in supporting local businesses and farms. So, all our feed, bedding and forage is from suppliers all within a 10-mile radius of us. Always trying to create new areas and facilities we upcycle where we can and save as much water as possible with our 3 water bowsers on site. We encourage our horses to drink as much naturally sourced water as possible due to its essential benefits in containing vitamins and minerals that keep their liver and kidney function healthy which in turn optimises their performance. The fields are regularly harrowed and maintained, and we will soon be planting a number of trees to give back to our land.
Alongside our stable block we also have a large feed and rug store, secure tack room, hay barn, large gravel carpark and much more!
HEALTH
Equine welfare is incredibly important to us, with regular visits from our vets and farrier we ensure that every horse within our care is as comfortable as possible. Each horse is fed accordingly to obtain optimum condition with oral care as well as musculoskeletal maintenance at the fore front of our minds.
We are always looking to develop our facilities and have plans to create a padded vet box, solarium, water treadmill, saltwater therapy and hot wash area – as we know warm muscles work well! The importance of happy, comfortable and well-maintained horses is the key to successful training. Improving the wellbeing of our horses effectively is something we always aspire to achieve.
Rehabilitation is something we also specialise in, with years of experience in the field Ella works closely with physios and provides a machine that relieves muscle tenderness and releases toxins which is proven to be an excellent recovery method for tendon injuries and fractures.
What benefits will our upcoming facilities provide? – The Infared, Ultraviolet and LED RGB light therapy included in the solarium that improves circulation, muscle function and healing processes. Whilst saltwater therapy involves horses breathing in micronized salt particles which act as an expectorant that then accelerate the mucous clearance, improving lung function whilst killing harmful bacteria and soothing the horse’s respiratory system as a whole
CHARITY WORK
With Ella and her partner Neil both a part of the Injured Jockeys Fund. We feel it is only right for us as a team to give back to the charity that is incredibly important to us. We regularly encourage social events and inclusive evenings at the farm and always try to include fundraising where we can, last year’s raffle being very popular. Other charities we try to support include the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Retraining of Racehorses and Racing Welfare
SAND GALLOPS
The most important part of our training operation. Our regularly maintained two-and-a-half-furlong sand ring gallop. Situated at the farm the gallops encourage our horses to learn how to gallop in a relaxed and orderly fashion whilst maintaining a rhythmic and controlled pace. Having the option of the two different types of gallops enables us to warm up and cool down sufficiently on a range of terrain which builds up the crucial muscles needed to help every horse perform to their best racing ability.
GRASS GALLOPS
Our mile long grass gallops are as good as any racecourse gallop, with excellent drainage and monthly topping the ground is consistently at its peak. As it starts with a flat to steep gradient our horses learn to conserve their energy at the beginning of their gallop as they would in a race environment. As the gallops curve around the perimeter of the farm the horses have the opportunity to open up and use their full potential. Within our grass gallops we have a selection of hurdles all within BHA standard, with these the horses can reach their full jumping potential.
ARENA
Our sand and fibre, 20X40 arena has recently been resurfaced and is harrowed and maintained weekly. It is a valued space for schooling our more established horses as well as free schooling our youngstock. The arena is set up with two fences that can be used to introduce jumping into the training routine. We also provide other obstacles such as barrels, poles and raisers to encourage the horses to think about lateral movements, tempo and positioning.
YARD
Our brick built American style barn provides a quiet and comfortable space for each horse to relax, each stable is fully rubber matted and cushioned with a bedding of choice between straw and shavings the horses get the opportunity to conserve their energy whilst enjoying locally sourced forage in the finest accommodation.
We believe in supporting local businesses and farms. So, all our feed, bedding and forage is from suppliers all within a 10-mile radius of us. Always trying to create new areas and facilities we upcycle where we can and save as much water as possible with our 3 water bowsers on site. We encourage our horses to drink as much naturally sourced water as possible due to its essential benefits in containing vitamins and minerals that keep their liver and kidney function healthy which in turn optimises their performance. The fields are regularly harrowed and maintained, and we will soon be planting a number of trees to give back to our land.
Alongside our stable block we also have a large feed and rug store, secure tack room, hay barn, large gravel carpark and much more!
HEALTH
Equine welfare is incredibly important to us, with regular visits from our vets and farrier we ensure that every horse within our care is as comfortable as possible. Each horse is fed accordingly to obtain optimum condition with oral care as well as musculoskeletal maintenance at the fore front of our minds.
We are always looking to develop our facilities and have plans to create a padded vet box, solarium, water treadmill, saltwater therapy and hot wash area – as we know warm muscles work well! The importance of happy, comfortable and well-maintained horses is the key to successful training. Improving the wellbeing of our horses effectively is something we always aspire to achieve.
Rehabilitation is something we also specialise in, with years of experience in the field Ella works closely with physios and provides a machine that relieves muscle tenderness and releases toxins which is proven to be an excellent recovery method for tendon injuries and fractures.
What benefits will our upcoming facilities provide? – The Infared, Ultraviolet and LED RGB light therapy included in the solarium that improves circulation, muscle function and healing processes. Whilst saltwater therapy involves horses breathing in micronized salt particles which act as an expectorant that then accelerate the mucous clearance, improving lung function whilst killing harmful bacteria and soothing the horse’s respiratory system as a whole
CHARITY WORK
With Ella and her partner Neil both a part of the Injured Jockeys Fund. We feel it is only right for us as a team to give back to the charity that is incredibly important to us. We regularly encourage social events and inclusive evenings at the farm and always try to include fundraising where we can, last year’s raffle being very popular. Other charities we try to support include the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Retraining of Racehorses and Racing Welfare
SAND GALLOPS
The most important part of our training operation. Our regularly maintained two-and-a-half-furlong sand ring gallop. Situated at the farm the gallops encourage our horses to learn how to gallop in a relaxed and orderly fashion whilst maintaining a rhythmic and controlled pace. Having the option of the two different types of gallops enables us to warm up and cool down sufficiently on a range of terrain which builds up the crucial muscles needed to help every horse perform to their best racing ability.
GRASS GALLOPS
Our mile long grass gallops are as good as any racecourse gallop, with excellent drainage and monthly topping the ground is consistently at its peak. As it starts with a flat to steep gradient our horses learn to conserve their energy at the beginning of their gallop as they would in a race environment. As the gallops curve around the perimeter of the farm the horses have the opportunity to open up and use their full potential. Within our grass gallops we have a selection of hurdles all within BHA standard, with these the horses can reach their full jumping potential.
ARENA
Our sand and fibre, 20X40 arena has recently been resurfaced and is harrowed and maintained weekly. It is a valued space for schooling our more established horses as well as free schooling our youngstock. The arena is set up with two fences that can be used to introduce jumping into the training routine. We also provide other obstacles such as barrels, poles and raisers to encourage the horses to think about lateral movements, tempo and positioning.
HORSE WALKER AND TREADMILL
We have an easily accessible 4-horse walker that is excellent for maintaining fitness, warming up and cooling down prior or post exercise. The walker is also a fantastic starting point for young horses during their introduction to training as well as strengthening for rehabilitation.
Our treadmill is also a great asset to the yard. The treadmill is set up hill which is perfect for building up the powerhouse of the horse in the hind end as well as improving stamina and fitness.
TURN OUT
One of our many priorities at Ella Pickard Racing is that every horse within our care is kept happy and healthy throughout the year. With 16 acres of lush grazing, our horses have a minimum of 4 hours of turnout every day with an increase during the summer months. Each paddock is securely fenced and enables the horses to still feel settled in a herd environment without the risk of injury
OWNERS ROOM & BAR
Set up in a cozy, private area our owner’s room is equip with a comfy seating area, coffee table, bar and big screen to watch all the latest racing action. The space is perfect for keeping warm during the winter months as our log burner is kept ticking over with logs supplied from the farm. You can watch what your horses have been up to as we also link our headcams to the screen!
TRANSPORT
Whether we are going racing or taking the horses on trips out our brand-new race line Bloomfields 3.5 tonne horse box is crafted specifically for the job. The strong, well-ventilated, thought-out design gives everyone involved the safest journey as well as a comfortable and reassuring experience. We provide only the best for every horse in training with us.
What Others Say About Us
Testimonials
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Adam Smith
Jhon Deo
Maria Mak
Amily Moalin