Press Release
Tuesday, April 2
A ROOTIN’ TOOTIN’ GOOD TIME AT WILD WEST EQUINE EVENT
DESPITE the panic at the petrol pumps, the Mare & Foal Sanctuary was delighted to see so many families make it
to their Visitor Centre at Littlehempston at the weekend. They were taking part in a Wild West-themed birthday
party held for the charity’s Adoption horses and ponies.
Children had made an extra special effort to turn up in their Wild West fancy dress outfits. In fact, they were so
good that all of them won prizes. There was also great excitement as the youngsters panned for ‘gold’ and scoured
Coombe Park’s Indoor Arena, which had been especially transformed into a Wild West town full of hidden
chocolate Easter eggs in readiness for a Rattlesnake Egg Hunt.
After lunch in the Café and a browse around the Gift Shop, visitors took their seats for The Adoption Horse Parade
and some fast-paced Barrel Racing by staff riding Sanctuary ponies, all also in fancy dress.
But the highlight for many was Handy Pony. This fun game is used at the Sanctuary to get rescue horses and ponies
in rehabilitation accustomed to everyday distractions they may come across while being ridden once rehomed.
Horses and ponies of all ages took part but on the day it was tiny foal Vashti who took the lead.
Finally, there was the chance everyone had been waiting for - to catch Wanted criminal ‘Wild Bill’. Attempting a
get-away in a Western wagon pulled by Shire horse Kavaner, it was time to put him in the stocks where children
gave him a thorough soaking with wet sponges before he handed himself in.
Among the families who had travelled the furthest on the day were The Luudiks of Basingstoke. Mother Kerli said:
“My Mother-in-Law lives on Dartmoor and adopted Dipsybell for my daughter Andra after we visited the Sanctuary
for the first time on holiday last year. She also adopted Midas for me, and Andra’s Grandpa has adopted Diamond.
“It is great to be able to adopt a horse or pony because in a town you can’t always afford to keep one or you don’t
have the space. When I first saw Midas, I remember how it felt; it was as if I part-owned him. It’s also good that
you can sponsor horses and ponies in this way, because there are so many which need extra help.”
Stroking her Adoption pony Dipsybell, Andra, aged six, added: “I really like horses and ponies. I saw Dipsybell in a
field here last summer but I didn’t know who she was at the time. I would like to have a horse one day too.”
Visitor Centre Manager Teresa Redgrave says: “It was great to see so many young children having fun playing at
the Sanctuary, meeting horses and ponies and learning about them at such a young age.”

For further information about Adoption Gift Packs, visit www.mareandfoal.org or pick up an Adoptions
leaflet today in one of the Mare & Foal Sanctuary’s charity shops.
EDITOR’S NOTES: For further information, please contact Publicity Officer Tamzin Hindmarch on: 01626 355969. Mare & Foal Sanctuary is
a Registered Charity in England No. 1141831 in England and Wales. Ltd Co. No. 7584914.