Woodhouse and BEDE Events: A long-term partnership focused on welfare-led temporary stabling

Setting a consistent, welfare-led approach to temporary stabling at events

Woodhouse and BEDE Events have entered a long-term partnership focused on setting a consistent, welfare-led approach to temporary stabling for equestrian events across their international event calendar.

This partnership reflects a shared approach to horse welfare in practice. Expectations are high in competition environments. Conditions need to support both horses and the teams caring for them from the moment they arrive at an event.

A welfare-led approach to temporary stabling at events

At the centre of the partnership is a shared understanding of the role temporary stabling plays within an event.

It is not seen as a standalone requirement, but as part of the wider environment that shapes how horses settle, rest and recover during their time away from home.

This runs through everything, from how stables are designed and built to how they are positioned and prepared ahead of use. The focus is on making sure welfare is built into how each event operates, not added later.

Temporary stabling for equestrian events in practice

Horses arrive from different home environments into a shared competition setting. Every stable is prepared ahead of use, including the use of Equine Bio Genie disinfectant to reduce disease risk within high-traffic areas.

Dedicated veterinary facilities are built into the event layout, with appropriate space and the right conditions for examination and treatment when required.

At the recent Thoresby Park Eventing Spring Carnival, this included the introduction of a new veterinary suite alongside the stable areas, supporting both horses and veterinary teams throughout the event.

“This is about recognising that temporary stabling isn’t just a background part of an event. It directly affects how horses settle, recover and perform.
There’s still a tendency to treat temporary stabling as something that just needs to be there. In reality, it has a direct impact on horse welfare, and that comes down to how those spaces are set up and managed, not just that they exist.
Working with BEDE, there’s a clear alignment in how we approach that. We’re focused on getting the environment right for horses, and this partnership allows that to be delivered consistently across their events.”

Dan Hassall, Owner & Managing Director, Woodhouse

Consistency across the calendar

One of the strengths of the partnership is the ability to apply this approach consistently.

Rather than standards varying from one event to another, the same principles are carried through across the calendar.

This creates a more consistent environment for horses and greater confidence for competitors, while supporting the delivery of events that meet a high standard.

Bringing this to life at events

Woodhouse is also providing display stabling within the Yesteryear Village at Osberton International Horse Trials.

At previous events, this has included stabling for Shire horses, giving visitors a clear view of how stables are set up behind the scenes. It opens up an area of the event that most people don’t usually see, and it’s something that people have engaged with well.

A long-term approach

This partnership reflects a long-term commitment from both teams to how temporary stabling is delivered, and the role it plays in supporting horse welfare across the equestrian and events industry.

A joined-up approach to design, preparation and on-site management sets a clear direction for how standards can be applied in practice.