Peter Hockenhull is the master of Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire, where our mares are generally kept, often covered and always foaled. As well as being a real expert (in our view the best around) on the finer points of getting mares in foal (it is definitely not a case of ‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am’) and keeping them that way until the foal is ready to make his or her entrance to the world, Peter can also wax lyrical about the seduction techniques of his stallions; the benefits of renewable energy for both global warming and his pension plan; and whatever topic has momentarily captured his attention.
In the meantime, wife Emma keeps control of which mares are booked to which stallions, when they are likely to be in the mood for love, whether they are with child, who are their owners and when the very reasonable keep and covering fees are due for payment. Like Mr Kipling, she also makes exceedingly good cakes.
