Nominee Summary
David and Katie Reddihough have diversified on their farm. They came up with the unique idea to offer rehab/training for horses. Hydrotherapy fitted with their philosophy of non invasive treatment for horses whenever possible, and the impressive results spoke for themselves. With an outdoor school, Solarium, Salt and Oxygen Therapy stable and high quality stabling available, Hydrotherapy is the perfect treatment to compliment the equestrian facilities at Spittal on Rule Farm.
David and Katie have undergone extensive training with leading experts in the field of hydrotherapy, Tonya Willingham and Dr Matthias Baumann.
What makes your nominee stand out?
This is a unique project, different from what we have seen before, combining Katie’s love of horses and the family farm. Horse owners are returning to use the facilities more and more as they can see the benefit of the facilities and as the horses are becoming happier and healthier. The facilities allow for horses to stay over (I often refer to the facilities as a spa retreat with Bed and breakfast!) at the stable yard that had become surplus to requirement after their previous tenants moved out. David and Katie are a fantastic farming couple who love the Scottish Borders and it is fantastic to see the new venture come to life.
Supporting the local community
The facilities are new to the Scottish Borders, therefore David and Katie are supporting the local community by providing a service which wasn’t previously offered. Owners used to have to travel long distances to get anything like this previously.
Maintaining high ethical/environmental standards
Katie’s love of horses has put their wellbeing at the very heart of this project, it is very much about caring for the horses and ensuring they can continue to live healthy happy lives. Lives that may have been reduced due to injury, the water treadmill is very much like rehab for individuals. As mentioned previously horse owners in the Scottish Borders had to travel long distances to access anything like this previously, therefore by offering this locally, the environmental factors are considered, pollution from travelling horse transport is reduced greatly and by offering a stay in the stable yard allows for. Travel to be kept to a minimum.