Our structure
The farm is strategically located in the polders of West Flanders, just 5 minutes from the sea and a 10-minute drive from the beautiful city of Bruges. It extends over 1.8 hectares of beautifully shaded land, plus 5.5 hectares of pastureland, producing excellent hay for our horses.
In 2024, work began on the outdoor spaces and the renovation of the buildings, which are now habitable and suitable for the breeding operation. In designing the various spaces, in addition to paying particular attention to the organization of both utility and beauty, we wanted to respect the essence of the landscape.
In the old stable, once used for cows, three large 6×5 meter big-boxes have been created for births and a large 7×4 meter box/shed serving the adjacent paddock. Meanwhile, six large paddocks have been created for the various groups of mares and foals on the farm.
The goal is to provide our horses with the necessary comforts for a peaceful group life: each paddock is equipped with an automatic waterer, a shelter in case of inclement weather, and large hay racks are provided in case the grass is insufficient for normal feeding. Animal welfare, understood as quality of life and attention to physical, mental, and relational health, and respect for the typical behaviors of this species, is the guiding principle of the Walhoeve experience. This includes ensuring constant, quality access to food and water, focusing on prevention, and timely diagnosis and treatment, including through the support of qualified professionals (veterinarians, farriers, etc.). Their work can be facilitated if the animal lives in a peaceful environment and enjoys a positive relationship with humans, minimizing anxiety and fear while respecting its typical behaviors. So the special attention paid to creating a functional and pleasant outdoor environment.
Renovation work on the second stable is scheduled to begin in September 2025. It will include two additional large boxes, as well as a tack room, a horse washing area, and restrooms for visitors.
As the renovations continue, the environmentally friendly solutions and respect for the greenery that have characterized the project from the beginning will be maintained.
