Drumghigha Horses
History of the Stud
Marthe Kiley-Worthington, having come to UK from Kenya, bought Stirrup Cup (Kathiawar) a Whetherby’s registered thoroughbred race horse in 1958. She was a crib biter, reared & had other behavioural problems, but she was fast & won Foxhunter jumping & races. She visited Nimran, a Crabbet Arab, and produced Padna Parameter (Syringa) an anglo-arab. Syringa visited Harwood Asif a Crabbet Arab and breed a versatile well conformed Anglo-Arab: Baksheesh, born in 1963. He became an internationally known Anglo Arab performance horse, placed 3rd in the first ever British Arab races, won the Arab marathon twice, won 3, 80km endurance rides in the early days, and took part in one of the first 160km in one day Summer Solstice race on the South Downs. He jumped, won cross country and worked at medium dressage level as well as breeding naturally by running with our mares.
Sheba a 15 year old Iris Draught mare, and a registered section A Welsh Pony: Aderin (still alive, now aged 38) were joined by two pure bred Crabbet Arabs: Omeya (Genji x Sumara) and Crysthannah Royal (Crystal King x Hannah of Fairfield) bought from that AHS auction sales as untouched 3 and 2 year old fillies. Sheba produced 5 foals, two fillies were retained: Druimghigha Shiraz (Sheba x Baksheesh 1972, 4th Marathon 1979, advanced endurance horse & cross country, AHS racing, jumping) and Druimghigha Shereen (Sheba x Baksheesh 1979, won marathon 1985, advanced endurance horse (Scottish reserve champion 1987 & member of Scottish endurance team, cross country & advanced dressage). They bred: Druimghigha Shiera (Shiraz x Cariff 1990) who became part of the British Endurance Team for 4 years, and others who have taken part in national and international events. Druimghigha Shanti (Shiraz x Oberlix) an advanced endurance horse with jumping & dressage.
Today the stud retains 2, 5th generation daughters: Druimghigha Shemal* (Shiraz x Oberlix, 1993, won the marathon 2000, 2 x winner Man versus Horse, Wales, advanced endurance winner in UK , dances (Aurora in televised Sleeping Beauty), & now Grand Prix dressage) who had Druimghigha Shimoni* (Shemal x Oryx, 2005 now working at medium dressage & novice endurance, for sale see below), and Druimghigha Shatish* (Shemal x Oryx 2010). Druimghigha Shindi* (Shereen x Oberlix : 2000) has won endurance competitions in France, & is working at Prix St George dressage level, dances & teaches.
Aderin had 6 foals with Baksheesh all went on to be great childrens’ ponies, Druimghigha Aisha was retained and became the Scottish long distance champion 1987, member of Scottish endurance team, and won 6th & best condition in the 160km Summer Solstice race in 1994.
Crysthannah Royal was invited to a covering by Cherif, and produced Druimghigha Cariff, a pure Crabbet arab stallion, the perfect gentleman, who became an advance endurance & dressage horse and star of the theatre. He sired champion endurance & jumping horses (e.g. Druimghigha Omen grade A jumper, 16hh pure breed Crabbet Arab), and great companions.
Omeya grew up to be a beautiful typey arab & international endurance horse, 7th in 160km, 4th marathon, AHS racing & mother of top jumping, dressage & endurance horses, and a great mare. She was invited to be covered by Aboud and produced Druimghigha Oberlix* (1989, pure bred Crabbet Arab, Performance Premium tested horse, placed & won in showing, jumping, cross country, long distance (6th 160km Summer Solstice 1996, 2nd marathon 2000, 3rd marathon 2002, won veteran marathon 2008, 2nd Man versus Horse, works on the land, & won French endurance ride aged 21 (2010), Grand Prix dressage now (58% in Intemediare). A horse that can go anywhere & do anything... And usually win! Druimghigha Oryx* (Omeya x Black Jack , Friesland, 1996) became our second resident stallion, he is an advanced endurance horse, working at Prix St George dressage, works the farm, teaches and dances.
Lilka* (Edeon x Lilofee, 1999, a pure Polish Arab filly ) was purchased @ 9months. She is working at medium dressage, has competed in French long distance, and teaches. She has had 3 foals with Oberlix, Druimghigha Luxor ( pure bred arab, advanced endurance in Wales), Druimghigha Lantana* (pure bred arab 3 yr old filly for sale, ride & drive), and Druimghigha Lan Yu* (pure bred 2 year old filly, for sale or placement).
* = now at the research centre
All the horses take part in many types of competitions & teach people, dance, worked on the land & do long treks around Europe. They live as our companions & friends.
Our equine behaviour research began in 1964. With the Druimghigha Stud, now in it’s 46th year & 6th generation, it is the longest running study on the behaviour of a group of horses that has ever been reported. The horses are kept in groups either in yards or at pasture. Their health, welfare, performance, learning & personalities have lead to many new ideas on the keeping & teaching of equines, and their minds. See Research, Publications, Education, Equitation Les Trios Becs, Druimghiga Stud Blog, and French blog.
Care
Our horses are not shod unless it is necessary for the work they do (e.g. if they become sore footed when training for competitions or to reduce slip). When shod, the ‘natural balance’ shoes are used, a method developed from studying the feet of feral horses.
Drugs are used only when it is in the interests of the individual’s welfare as it is maintained that constant use of drugs to keep horses well or sound indicates inappropriate husbandry. Antibiotics are rarely needed. The horses are wormed only after faecal egg counts indicate this is necessary. Soil Association approved wormers only used. The intestinal worms are controlled by multi-species rotational grazing.
All the individuals are monitored for any evidence of ill health or distress. The conception rate is significantly higher than for in hand breeding or Artificial Insemination. Ill health and diseases are rare (e.g. Colic has occurred 3 times in 400 horse years. Despite the long, fast distances covered for international competitive long distance riding, lameness is rare. The average life expectancy for the horses retained bred or acquired young is 26 years. The Welsh mountain pony, Aderin is still active and able aged 38.
The research is financed mainly by the subjects themselves, by teaching, displays, multi-species theatre/ballet (Sleeping Beauty televised 1995, Chestnut Beauty 2000), workshops throughout the world (details of workshops see below) and selling young horses. The youngsters are sold at around three years old having had their secondary education (handled, lead, lunged, free schooled, backed, bitted, long reined, ridden out, elementary to medium dressage movements, 40km slow rides in difficult terrain, and out camping). Their fitness is assessed by heart recovery rates and heart monitors. No equipment other than a simple snaffle, bitless bridle or head collar, saddle, numnah and breast plate is ever used during their education or in competition unless it is obligatory (no drop nosebands of any type, martingales, running reins, curbs, long hackamores etc). The horses are cooperatively educated, not frightened or forced. Horses are only sold to approved homes. We sell young versatile cooperatively educated 3 year olds. Contact the centre by email if interested.
2010 Horses for Sale
Druimghigha Shimoni - Part bred Arab, 5 years old, Chesnut, 15.2hh, Gelding
(Druimghigha Shemal X Druimghigha Oryx)
Completed endurance rides in France with excellent heart rates, dressage medium/advanced standard, lovely chestnut mover, mini jumping and cross country. Price on application.
Druimghigha Lantana - Pure bred Arab, 3 years old, Strawberry Roan, 14.2hh, Filly
(Lilka x Druimghigha Oberlix)
Ride or drive, working novice dressage, day rides & well educated in all aspects of thenatural environment. Will begin short endurance rides this summer.
Druimghigha Lanyu - Pure bred Arab 2 years old, Dark Grey, will make 15hh, Filly
(Lilka x Druimghigha Oberlix)
Very pretty. Worked in hand & liberty, backed only.