The Cattle Drives & 2012 Dartmoor Drive Dates
Driving Cattle
Cattle respond well to being moved by horses. Horses are quiet and the cattle are used to being moved by them, the cattle are not threatened but have a natural respect for the horse. The horse walks at much the same speed as the cattle and often anticipate the cattle movements. The riders work as a team with most flanking at the sides of the herd with just a couple at the rear, and one or two at the head.
There is always a lead cow who the others follow. Ours is called ‘Dunny’ and is a lighter colour than the rest. 
This year is her first year as lead cow, the job used to be her mothers’, (same colour) but she had got old and left the herd last year.
Each rider will have a position and a job to do, depending on their ability. Driving cattle is immensely satisfying, doing something that has barely changed for hundreds of years.
The type of country we ride over has some breathtaking scenery and varies, through woodland, along valley bottoms, up steep inclines, down steep declines, across rivers, through rock clitter (rock strewn areas) and over hill tops, where you can look down on everything around.
Open all summer from Easter to September
We can accommodate up to 6 guests at a time, we do 2 night week-end stays (Fri – Sun), 3 night stays (an extra night either end) or 6 night stays (Sun to Sat). Guests are welcome from Easter to end October, we are checking and moving cattle every week, but we are particularly active at certain times.
2012 rates
Weekend Break: 2 nights, Friday – Sunday £325
3 night break: any 3 nights £460
6 night break: Sunday – Saturday £795
2012 Cattle Drives. 6 night stays
Last week in April & first week of May ****Full****
Mid June 10th- 16th ****1 space available****
1st – 7th July ****4 spaces available****
29th July – 4th August ****6 spaces available****
5th – 11th August ****full****
19th – 25th August ****6 spaces available****
26th August – 1st September **** full****
End of September
End of October
Groups of 4 or more can usually be accommodated on other weeks, please contact us for more information.
Busy periods
We recommend the 6 night stay at £795, to get the most from your stay.
‘Spring turn-out’, First two weeks May
The cows and autumn born calves are moved from their winter quarters up on to the moor for the summer, a distance of about 8km. The cattle need to be kept herded together for the first month. We may also be helping neighbours to move their cattle, or get stuck in with some dehorning and castration, maybe even assist with some calvings. When we are quieter we can ride off to a pub for lunch, or have a clinic with a local ‘Natural horseman’.
‘Weaning and bulling round up’ Middle two weeks June
The calves need to be weaned, some spring calving cows need to go to bull and any coming to calve are sorted. Weaned cows are put back on the moor.
‘Post bulling turn out’, Early September
The cows and heifers have been with the bull for a while, now they need to go back onto the moor for the rest of the season. Some others will be calving from September to August.
‘Cow & calf gather’ End of September or early October
The freshly calved cows need to come down nearer Meldon Farm as winter approaches.
‘Autumn round up’. End of October.
All cattle need to be gathered off the moor by 1st November.
Our routine is very much governed by the weather, which can be changeable, occasionally preventing us from going on the moor. During any stay guests are free to take a day out of the saddle, if they wish, and explore the area, the granite way cycle route is 200m from the farm, you can cycle or walk to Okehampton 5km, or just relax and put your feet up. We have a games room with a full size snooker table, pool table, dart board and multi-gym. We also have 2 acre coarse fishing lake, or crystal clear rivers to bathe in.
