We are a family of true horse lovers. My own story with horses began when I was around seven, thanks to a family friend who owned them. I rode on and off right up until I was 26, when a rather spirited horse named Rocket (a temperamental boy, to say the least) decided my riding days were over.
Years later, I introduced my twins to horses when they were just two, at a local fête. They each sat on a pony and took a gentle walk around the arena – completely captivated from the start. Not long after, in April 2018, I took them for their first visit to The Horse Trust. This Easter, almost exactly eight years later, we returned.
They were so young the first time that they didn’t remember much, but the joy was just the same. There’s something incredibly grounding about being around horses – their calm presence, their quiet strength. We wandered slowly, stopping to greet the horses as they enjoyed their lunch, reading their stories and when we were lucky, giving a few gentle strokes.
It’s not a huge site, and you can make your way around fairly quickly, especially as many of the horses are out in the fields. But what stands out is how well cared for they all are. There’s a real sense of peace here of animals being given the dignity and comfort they deserve.
There’s also a small museum on site, sharing the history of the working horse. I found it quietly moving. Places like The Horse Trust remind you just how much these animals have given and how important it is that they are cared for in return. It’s heartwarming to see so many rescued and able to live out their days in such a beautiful, safe environment, though it’s hard not to reflect on how many others aren’t as fortunate.
After our wander, we stopped by the on-site café – simple, welcoming, with both indoor and outdoor seating. We picked up a drink and a few beautifully illustrated cards before saying hello to the smaller ponies in the field and heading home.
It’s not a long day out, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes the simplest visits are the most meaningful. The Horse Trust is a lovely place to spend a gentle hour or two walking, connecting and pausing for a moment of calm.
How to Support The Horse Trust
If you’re visiting, or even if you’re not—there are some wonderful ways to support the work they do:
- Make a donation, however small, to help fund the lifelong care of the horses
- Adopt a horse through their sponsorship programme
- Purchase gifts or cards from the shop, with proceeds supporting the charity
- Spread the word – sharing their work helps raise awareness for equine welfare
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
To really enjoy your time there, I’d recommend:
- Visiting during quieter hours for a more peaceful experience
- Taking time to read the horses’ stories – it adds so much depth to your visit
- Enjoy a relaxed stop at the café
- Dressing for the weather, as much of the experience is outdoors
- Letting children take their time – it’s a place to slow down, not rush
The Horse Trust are the second largest provider of grant funding for equine welfare in the UK. They are home to over 130 horses, ponies and donkeys from an array of backgrounds. They play an instrumental role in funding research and training programmes as well as influencing policy into equine sector.
I gifted the girls a monthly sponsorship for a horse of their choice – we opted for Silver for each horse, although I would have loved to stretch it to Gold.
