Horsey days out this summer

HAPPA
Book for specific days
There’s loads going on at HAPPA this summer! Whether you fancy entering your dog in a show, taking a beginner’s pony care course, or doing a full own a pony day, there’s something for you! This is your chance to get real hands-on experience looking after ponies – we can’t think of a better way to spend summer!
happa.org.uk

HorseWorld
30 July 2022, 10:30–4
For just one day this year HorseWorld Trust will be opening its doors and giving a glimpse of what it’s like on a busy equine rescue centre. There’ll be demonstrations of all the fab skills the ponies have learnt since being rescued and tractor tours so that you can cruise around the 100-acre site and meet even more ponies!
horseworld.org.uk

Mare and Foal Sanctuary
Book for specific days
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is renowned from its fantastic welfare work, and you’ll get a behind the scenes look at their super-important work. Not just that, you’ll get to meet all their lovely ponies and learn how to make stable enrichment toys. If you want to get even more involved, why not try out their Happy Hooves Holiday Club?
mareandfoal.org

Redwings
Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, 10–4
There are over 100 horses, donkeys and ponies living at Redwings Caldecott visitor centre and they’re all anxious to meet their adoring fans and spend a day getting scratches. They even have special birthday weekends for their adoption star ponies with extra special events going on for you to enjoy. Redwings have other visitor centres, see if you can find one near you.
redwings.org.uk

World Horse Welfare
Weds–Sun, 11–4
Head over to meet the rescue ponies at World Horse Welfare, you’ll get lots of kisses and cuddles from these extra special equines and get to learn all about their past ­– which will make you love them even more! The visitor centre also has displays and videos so that you can expand your horsey know-how. World Horse Welfare have several sites around the UK, be sure to check out one near you!
worldhorsewelfare.org

The Donkey Sanctuary
Every day, 9–5
With their long ears and silky soft muzzles, the residents at The Donkey Sanctuary are bound to steal your hearts. Spend the day snuggling gorgeous donkeys, then head off for some tasty food from the café, get lost in the maze or enjoy the play park. If you’d prefer to do some learning, there’s an understanding donkeys barn where you can get clued up on all things donkey.
thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk 

Bransby Horses
Weds – Sun, 10–4
If you love rescue ponies, then you’ll enjoy a day out at Bransby Horses rescue centre. You’ll get to meet all the adorable ponies and hear all about how they were rescued and what they’re up to now. There’s also special events throughout the year, such as dog shows and treasure hunts!
bransbyhorses.co.uk

Cannon Hall Farm
At Cannon Hall Farm there’s opportunity to meet all kinds of animals, from alpacas to reptiles, but the stars of the show are of course the ponies! There’s Shires and Shetlands all ready and wating to meet you and they even have foals born in the springtime – imagine how tiny a Shetland foal is! If you’d rather watch some sheep racing, they’ve got that too – get ready to cheer!
cannonhallfarm.co.uk

Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
9 April – 29 October, 10–4
Head down to meet some of the rarest breeds of heavy horse in the country, including Suffolk Punch, Shire and Clydesdales. You’ll even have the chance to get behind some horsey ears on an incredible horse-drawn carriage ride. You can learn all about these fantastic horses and how they helped us on farms in the past.
dorset-heavy-horse-centre.co.uk

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Show
18–21 July
Obsessed with Welsh ponies? We are too! Head on down to the Royal Welsh Show for a weekend of showing, Pony Club mounted games and Inter Hunt team relay – which if you haven’t watched before, is a must see! There’ll also be farriery competitions, sheep dog trials, dog agility and so much more!
rwas.wales

Mane Chance Sanctuary
7 August
Get a sneak peek behind the stable door of this small charity, which isn’t normally open to the public. You’ll get a guided tour and get to have a cuddle with the resident rescue ponies. The grooms can also tell you all about the horse’s background and how they were rescued. They’ll also be a picnic and cakes!
manechancesanctuary.org.uk

The Great Yorkshire Show
12–15 July 2022
Get ready for a weekend of pony-filled action! There’s loads to do at The Great Yorkshire Show, with more equine classes than ever before, including showjumping and scurry racing. If that wasn’t enough, there’ll be fab demos, sheep dog trials, loads of food and celebrity guests!
greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

Burwarton Show
4 August 2022
If you love all things countryside, then this is the show for you! There’ll be pigs, cows, sheep, and alpacas for you to cuddle, but if you’re all about the ponies then you can watch showjumping or dressage classes! Other things to look out for include an arts and crafts activity tent, vintage tractors, and a chance to meet giant tortoises!
burwartonshow.co.uk

The Miniature Pony Centre
26 March – 31 October, 10:30–4:30
Get ready for a pint-sized party with the tiny ponies at the miniature pony centre. Get to know the fluffy residents of the farm and even catch a glimpse of the mysterious Dartmoor unicorns, who appear every day underneath the cloud archway. If you’d like to ride, they have short sessions available with one of their 10 riding ponies.
miniatureponycentre.com

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre
Every day, 10­–5
A chance to meet the gentle giants of the horse world up close and personal! Shire horses are truly magnificent and as Cotebrook is a working stud breeding champion horses, we’re sure you’ll be blown away by their beauty. If you plan your visit right, you can even meet the adorable shire horse foals!
cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk

Dumfries Show
6 August 2022
There’s loads to do at Dumfries show, whether you’re into arts and crafts or want to spend the day stroking gorgeous farm yard animals, there’s something for everyone. There’ll be loads of pony showing classes where you can see loads perfectly turned-out ponies strutting their stuff!
dumfriesshow.co.uk

Clogher Valley Show
27 July 2022
Head to this fun-filled day out with lots of activities, competitions and educational opportunities for you to get involved with! You can meet all the farm animals, plus there’ll be over 1,000 horses and ponies there for you to watch compete in showing and showjumping!
cloghervalleyshow.com

The Exmoor Pony Centre
Mon, Weds, Fri, Sun, 10am – 4pm
Do you love Exmoor ponies as much as we do? If so, then this is the place for you! Head down to spend the day with the gorgeous ponies that live at the centre. If you’re in the mood for some riding, head to their website to find out about saddling up and trekking the Somerset countryside.
moorlandmousietrust.org

Mudchute Park and Farm
Every day, 9­–5
Meet the animals who’re nestled in the heart of east London! Mudchute farm has loads of things to do including meeting the ponies, pigs and llamas and having a cuddle with rabbits and guinea pigs in pet corner. They also run lots of events throughout the year so be sure to check their website if you’re in the mood for a special day out.
mudchute.org