COULD you give some of your spare time to looking after horses and ponies?
The Spirit of the Herd pony sanctuary in Alvanley, near Frodsham in Alvanley, near Frodsham, is looking for volunteers to cover weekdays and weekends.
The sanctuary describes itself as a sanctuary ‘with a difference.’ The team rescue and rehabilitate horses and ponies before allowing them to help the visitors to the centre.
As Kelly Larkin, one of the directors put it, their motto is: “Ponies helping people helping ponies.” This not-for-profit organisation was founded 20 years ago by Valerie Kear.
Kelly said: “Adults and children with additional needs or mental health conditions find these sessions particularly therapeutic,” although she added that they're helpful to anyone who wants to thoroughly relax and unwind.
She added: “There's no mobile phone coverage here which is a real help when allowing people to switch off from day-to-day life.”
To help raise funds, the sanctuary hosts children's pony pamper parties and wellness sessions where participants can groom, hug, talk and generally benefit from the company of the sanctuary’s four-legged residents.
With 23 horses and ponies on the site split into three separate herds, consisting of the mini Shetlands, the heavy set cobs and the older retirement herds, there are always plenty of jobs to do but it's not all hard work.
Louie McKeever and Rebecca Walker.
College students Louie McKeever, 16 and Rebecca Walker, 18, volunteer in their free time.
Louie, who wants to work with animals professionally, describes it “great experience for the future” and Rebecca, who comes from a horse-riding background, doesn't mind that this isn't offered at the sanctuary. “I just love spending time with the ponies,” she said.
It seems the feeling is mutual because according to Kelly, they lap up all the attention they get.
She noted that during the last lockdown, the mini Shetland ponies in particular became noticeably clingy and followed the staff around like lost puppies.
Romeo.
Spirit of the Herd has big plans and hopes to form further connections in the local area and eventually become a community hub where people can drop in throughout the day.
- If you would like to volunteer or book a wellness or pony pamper session, send a message on the sanctuary's Facebook page @spiritoftheherd or email spiritoftheherd53@gmail.com.
Kelly Larkin and Tilly.
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