Facilities
Carradale Arabian Stud is proudly owned by Leigh-Ann & Ean Mitchell and was founded in 2002 when the perfect location was found for them to expand their breeding plans.
Leigh-Ann previously ran her parent's stud Ryovan Arabians located in Aberdeen where at their height, housed 7 stallions including 3 Arabians. But with breeding plans of her own, Leigh-Ann decided to take a break from horses in 1999 and the stud was reduced greatly and finally closed in 2008 with the sad loss of their senior stallion, Zibak (Taqah x Anna Rose). However this was not the end for her parents as they still share in the joy and success of both Leigh-Ann, Ean and Team Carradale.
The stud is set in 25 acres of newly fenced green paddocks and is set high up on Yondertonhill with stunning views over the North Sea and is located some 25 miles from Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe. At the beginning of 2008 they built a new indoor barn which has 7 loose boxes including 2 large foaling boxes and breeding stocks, all with the modern luxury of rubber matting and automatic drinkers. There is also an additional stable block for 4 and a large post and rail riding arena used as a training and exercise paddock. The stud also benefits from a mature forest which is perfect for off -road safe hacking which the horses enjoy very much.
Horses are a big part of their lives and Leigh-Ann spends her days mucking out, conditioning and training the show horses. Breeding plans are carefully discussed and the anticipation of the resulting foals fills us with joy. With 9 purebreds at the stud and their children's riding pony, there is much to do. Each horse has its own routine and schedule but there is always time to stop and watch the foals playing in the paddock or watch the stallion float effortlessly with his tail flagged and nostrils flared.
In November 2007 Leigh-Ann travelled to Twemlows Hall stud farm to complete the training course for Artificial Insemination Technicians and successfully passed the practical and written exams to become a DEFRA certified AI Technician. After completing the course, plans were made to incorporate breeding stocks and equipment in to the new barn including a dummy mare for collection from the stallion. 2009 would be the year to put everything into practise and inbetween a busy show schedule, semen was collected and inseminated with great success, and on their first attempt their first mare was scanned in foal - something Leigh-Ann is very proud of.
Our aim here at the stud is to produce beautiful Arabian horses that not only have the look but are of sound conformation and who prove to be versatile in today's modern horse world!
We share a great passion for the Arabian Horse why not come and see for yourself.
