Rescue centre plans for Easter reopening

BRITAIN’S largest horse rescue and rehoming charity has announced plans to welcome visitors back for the Easter holidays.

World Horse Welfare had hoped to reopen its four visitor centres across the country – which includes Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset – in the middle of February, but was forced to delay due to the latest resurgence of coronavirus cases and the third national lockdown.

Glenda Spooner Farm, together with Belwade Farm in Aberdeenshire, Hall Farm in Norfolk and Penny Farm in Blackpool, have been closed since the first lockdown in March 2020.

As well as being popular with both locals and tourists, the visitor centres are a vital source of income for the charity which has continued to take in, care for and rehabilitate horses and ponies during the pandemic.

Claire Dickie, farm manager at Glenda Spooner Rescue and

Rehoming Centre, which is located just outside Kingsdon, said: “We are very disappointed not to be welcoming our visitors back to Glenda Spooner Farm until Easter but the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors is of paramount importance. We are fortunate to have been able to continue rescuing and rehoming throughout the pandemic and, like everyone, we hope for a return to a more normal way of life very soon.”

Despite the latest lockdown, work at World Horse Welfare’s four farms has not stopped, with horses still being taken in and cared for on a daily basis by the charity’s dedicated teams of grooms.

Sitting in 220 acres of unspoilt countryside, Glenda Spooner Farm is home to around 65 horses at any given time. Its visitor centre gives members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the charity’s work, meet horses and ponies that are currently being rehabilitated before they are made available for rehoming, and hear about its international work and campaigns.

During the restrictions over the past year rehoming has continued, although with an adapted application process and virtual home visits. Applications for rehoming are still being welcomed.

Ms Dickie added: “Rehoming is a key part of the work that World Horse Welfare does with rescued horses once they have been rehabilitated, and it is the ultimate aim for every animal that comes into the charity’s care. Every horse that is rehomed releases a space at one of the rescue and rehoming centres for another horse in need.”

For details about Glenda Spooner Farm and horses for rehoming www.worldhorsewelfare.org/visitus/glenda-spooner-farm

Basil Hayes > Rescued horses at a World Horse Welfare centre