News stories
Sun shines on our Hainford Open Day
We had a wonderful time last week at our North Norwich site for our very special Silver Jubilee Open Day!
We were so lucky to have plenty of sunshine and and lots of lovely visitors came along to see us and helped make it a really special day. There were horse handling demonstrations and lots of chances for people and ponies to meet! Thanks to everyone who came along to support us.
A young visitor meets an even younger resident!
Our North Norwich site is not normally open to the public as it is home to some of our most special-care residents and our partially sighted group, but as part of our Silver Jubilee celebrations this year we wanted to open for one special day so everyone could have a chance to look round this beautiful 170-acre site and meet some of its lovely residents.
One of the highlights of the day was a demonstration of how we handle youngsters, with some very special ponies and their foals. The majority of the group were rescued from a site at Downham Market earlier this year and we have since been blessed with a group of lovely little foals, who thoroughly enjoyed meeting the public on Sunday!
Our staff showed how the youngsters in particular require very special handling in order that the babies learn how to be ponies and that we are their friends, and despite never having had visitors before, the ponies behaved impeccably - well done guys!
Our mums and babies await their star turn!
In the afternoon we also had a demonstration from our centre manager and a pony called Splash who was rescued from London in 2007 and who can still be very nervous. Together the pair demonstrated 'Join Up', a humane horse handling technique much like 'horse whispering', requiring the handler to use certain movements and body language to bond with the horse. We are delighted to say that even with an audience for the first time ever, Splash was a star!
Splash and her handler during a 'Join Up' demonstration
Huge thanks to everyone who came along to support us. And if you couldn't make it, don't forget there are still lots more Silver Jubilee events to come, including our Auction for Things That Money Can't Buy in November and our Christmas Open Weekend at our Hapton HQ. Do come along and help us celebrate 25 years of caring!
