Katie's carving out a career with horses

Katie Raine was determined to make a living working in the equine sector after falling under the spell of Fell ponies during a Saturday job while still at school. She tells Stuart Laundy how she has gone about it 

IT was always going to be working with horses for Katie Raine. The 20-year-old established her own equine business near Cockfield while still a teenager and holds down part time jobs at two other stables to make her living.

“Mum and dad said I would never make a living out of horses – it was too dangerous and I would get hurt – but I have stuck in and made it work,” she says.

“They are proud of me now.”

Horses have been part of Ms Raine’s life for as long as she can remember.

“I had a little Shetland pony who lived until she was about 35 or 36 – a good age,” she recalls.

Mum Jennifer Brougham grew up at Mill Farm, High Grange, where her grandad Jack, now aged 91, still lives in retirement, while her dad Mark Raine, a groundsman, provided logistical support.

“I only just passed my trailer test about a hear ago – he used to drive me everywhere.”

Home for the family is Roddymoor, Crook, although Ms Raine spends much of her time out and about.

When she established KR Equine last year, offering breaking, schooling and handling of young stock to clients, she rented paddock at Low Lands Farm, near Cockfield. She also rents a couple of fields over at Crook.

On top of that, she works part time for Eileen Walker, chairman of the Fell Pony Society, at her Fir Tree stables, and for James Jopling Equine, at Wolsingham.

And it was arriving at Mrs Walker’s stables as a 14-year-old that fired Ms Raine’s passion for the Fell pony.

“I have always been into horses. I started with a Shetland and had a couple of ponies in between,” she says.

“Then, in about 2011, I started working for Eileen Walker doing a bit of mucking out, handling young stock and generally helping out.

“I also helped her out at shows. I caught the showing bug and wanted something to show myself.”

This is where Lunesdale Black Ice comes into the picture.

He had been in the care of her uncle John Brougham since a yearling and his niece bought the eye-catching stallion three years ago aged five. It has proved to be a successful investment.

“I have won all sorts with him. He has won numerous championships.”

Ms Raine now also has two brood mares, who are both in foal for next year, and two foals, one of which she plans to keep and one which will be sold on.

Black Ice, meanwhile, has also been keeping busy.

“He has served about 22 mares this year. He is fairly popular because he has won so often,” says Ms Raine.

One of his most recent successes was at Bowes Show, in September, where he was judged breed champion.

“Everyone who breeds Fell ponies is always trying to improve the breed and keep it going.”

While Fell ponies are her passion, she is happy to take on any breed for her clients.

“Many people who have horses don’t like to break them in because it is the hardest part,” she says.

Most will have been handled and tied up by the time they come to Ms Raine, who then introduces them to a breaking bit.

“I teach them how to lunge and circle both ways, then I long rein them for about a fortnight round the yards and roads to get them used to traffic,” she adds.

Finally it’s a case of “getting them to see a bit of life and getting them used to different things”.

She says: “By the time they have finished with me, they have see a bit of everything. Then they are ready to go and do a job for somebody else.”

Running her own business means she stands or falls by the quality of her work.

“It’s word of mouth that gets you working in a job like this. You have got to make sure you do a good job and you always want to do your best for your customers.”

Ms Raine is the only one in her family involved in horses – her older brother keeps a few sheep while her younger sister is still at school – which makes grandad Jack especially proud.

“He used to work down the pit at Howden Colliery with the pit ponies. He was the head boy who looked after them. I am the only one that’s carried on with the horses. He feels like I am keeping the family tradition going.”

For the few hours a week she spends away from horses, Ms Raine indulges her other passion – football.

A Newcastle United supporter, she can be found on a Sunday afternoon playing right wing for Bishop Auckland Ladies.

Then it’s back to the horses.