The Mare & Foal Sanctuary has a new Adoption Pony for anyone who loves horses but may not have the space to keep one!
Gorgeous little April has taken over the reins from the Sanctuary’s beloved Dipsybell, who sadly passed away over the winter.
They are going to be hard horse shoes to step into but the charity believes 22-year-old April will take everything in her stride.
The little 11hh Bay Dartmoor Hill Pony was born at the Sanctuary and from 1998 to 2017 was almost constantly out on loan as a children’s riding pony – partly because of her reliable temperament and sweet nature.
Her Adoption Pony status will see fans all over the country getting regular April updates, as well as meeting the little mare at the charity’s Coombe Park Visitor Centre near Totnes.
April’s groom Gemma Bygrave said: “April is a real sweetheart and adores children. She was a children’s riding pony on loan for years but she’s 22 years-old now. It’s time she took things a little easier.
“She’s great to handle and loves a lot of fuss. I think April will make a terrific Adoption Pony because she is happiest when all eyes are on her!”
April will also be taking part in the Sanctuary’s Happy Hooves Pony Club over the school holidays, when youngsters learn a little of what it takes to look after a pony.
Charity Education Manager Dawn Neil said: “April really is a little diamond. She genuinely loves meeting new people and is always up for a groom or a scratch. We are so lucky to have such a little gem willing and happy to make new friends every day.”
The charity has more than 800 adopters all over the UK and it now has five horses and ponies ready to be adopted, including tiny Shetland Sir Didymus and gentle giant Kavaner.
And visitors can meet them – and our other cheeky horses and ponies – at Coombe Park, which is open every day over the summer from 10am until 4pm. There are yard tours at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, entrance is free and there’s a café on site.
For details of Coombe Park and all our other wonderful Adoption Ponies – and how to adopt one or all of them – visit our website at mareandfoal.org/adoptions
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For further details, please call Sanctuary Press Officer Jo Walmsley on 01626 355969 or 07763 779737. Alternatively email her at jo.walmsley@mareandfoal.org
Photo Captions
The first four photos feature April, one with her groom Gemma Bygrave.
5: Shire Kavaner and Shetland Sir Didymus
