The privately owned Shade Oak Stud, established in 1973 by David and Anne Hockenhull, is at Bagley, near Ellesmere in North Shropshire. Situated in a fertile, lowland area of the county and surrounded by mixed arable and livestock farmland, the enterprise is run by Peter and his wife Emma, with the help of permanent, and temporary staff taken on for the stud season. Enjoying a pleasant Southerly aspect, the whole is contained within a ring fence. Housing There are over 150 loose boxes, situated close to Shade Oak House, some in the converted traditional brick farm buildings and over 70 loose boxes within an American barn system. All boxes are light and airy, warm in Winter and cool in Summer. Each box with white-washed walls and creosoted woodwork, is mucked out daily and replenished with plenty of clean, fresh wheat straw. They are all washed down with anti-bacterial wash during the stud season for hygiene.