Sea Barn Farm sits on the shores of the Fleet near Moonfleet Manor, Dorset. Up until a few years ago there was a racing stables there. I had the privilege of visiting the stables to take photographs and to document the everyday life at this racing stables, showing the work that is necessary when preparing horses to race. It is a perfect place for gallops and an ideal position on the Fleet, where the horses can be cooled down and can benefit from the therapeutic aspects of sea-walking.

A sport that is normally associated with glamour, I wanted to show the physically demanding, emotionally draining and often mundane realities behind the racetrack scenes. The daily tasks as well as the relationship that is forged between trainer and horse, and the understanding of each individual animal’s needs, is essential. Sensitive handling, whether the horse is moody, humorous, stroppy or affectionate, achieves the most rewarding and effective results.