The welfare of our animals is our priority always

  The health and wellbeing of our animals is our number one priority. We are 100% committed to ensuring our animals have the very best of care 365 days a year. All of our animals are members of our family and we know each one thoroughly as an individual. In order to ensure their happiness and wellbeing we have very high standards in place. This is our Welfare Policy, which is sent out to all clients upon their request to hire our animals. It consists of four sections:

• Animals will have continuous access to fresh water. We will supply this but it is always helpful to have access to an outside tap/water source at an event, so that we are able to top up supplies. Not a condition of booking but helpful to have.
• Animals  will have food appropriate to each individual’s dietary requirements available. For the majority this will be grass or hay but others may be supplied with hard feed during breaks or upon the conclusion of the event. We will supply this.
• The trailer or lorry transporting the animals must be adjacent to the area they are working in for the duration of the event. This is to provide a quiet area away from the public for breaks when required, shelter from the sun, and protection from the rain. It also enables us to take care of our animals in private should a veterinary issue arise.
• Should rain become very heavy, the animals will be moved to shelter. If they are sheltering in a trailer or lorry, the public will be able to interact with.
• Strict welfare breaks are always enforced. Our break policy is ten minutes every hour or the equivalent (20 mins after 2 hours/30 mins after 3 hours). 
• Animals hired for petting will be provided with a pen in which they can move out of reach from the public, should they wish to do so. It will be confirmed at the time of booking whether the client or we provide the pen.
• We will carry a mobile first aid kit for the animals and we are trained in the treatment of minor cuts, abscesses, how to manage choke etc. We are registered with vets who are able to give 24 hour assistance and/or recommend local vets in the case of emergency.

When we arrive at an event, it is essential that we are able to unload our animals safely. It is important that the following conditions are met:

• The vehicle cannot be moved (unless in case of an emergency) once the animals have been unloaded. In the majority of cases, the driver will also be the donkey handler and therefore once the donkeys have been unloaded, the driver will not be able to leave them unattended in order to move the vehicle. Please provide us with a space to park where the vehicle will not need to be moved.
• We cannot be unloading the animals in an area where there are moving vehicles in close proximity. If we need to unload on a road or in a carpark, the event organisers must provide staff in high-vis clothing to prevent moving vehicles coming close to the animals. The handler must be able to concentrate 100% on the animals and not be involved in stopping traffic. If the animals have to be led along a pavement/road, event organisers must provide staff to walk behind and in front of the animals to stop traffic/move pedestrians as required. Our staff are multi-talented but they need to concentrate on the animals, not crowd control and/or trying not to be run over!
• The transport must be parked adjacent to where the donkeys will be working, for reasons outlined in our ‘Care at an Event’ section. If this isn’t possible, we must be told at the time of booking and an alternative solution must be agreed. If we arrive at an event and are unable to park in the donkey area without prior agreement, we may not be able to safely operate. There may be occasions when the vehicle doesn’t stay at the event. In this case, we will provide a pen for the donkeys as an alternative welfare area to the lorry/trailer.

Finally, the animals will not use an ejector seat to unload, so please consider we will need room to drop the ramp (around 2 metres long) either behind or to the side of the vehicle.

All of our working animals are used to travelling and do not mind it at all. They enjoy the chance to munch on some hay and most of them load themselves with no encouragement from us! We ensure the following policies are in place:

• All trailers and lorries used for transporting the donkeys & ponies will be clean, safe and have adequate ventilation.
• Animals will be travelled loose, enabling them to balance, move around as required and lower their heads, thereby preventing the risk of travel sickness.
• Hay will be provided throughout the journey.
• Frequent stops will be made to ensure the donkeys & ponies have water and are comfortable.

We are very conscientious drivers, taking bends slowly and braking gently to ensure the donkeys & ponies are relaxed and happy in the back!

• All of our animals live in herds with their friends. They are carefully monitored to ensure that none are excluded and are able to gallop and play freely.
• Every donkey & pony has 24 hour access to a shelter or stable, which are kept clean with adequate bedding.
• No donkey or pony will work more than four days a week during our busy season.
• All the donkeys have at least three months off work each year. During this time they stay with us. We do not send our animals to ‘winter homes’. They remain at our farm, where we look after them personally every day.
• All animals have access to good quality hay and feed, with dietary plans in place for each of them.
• Each animal is listened to as an individual. A working donkey or pony is normally a happy donkey or pony. They like to be kept busy, see new places and interact with people. The exercise is also good for them. . No animal is ever made to work.
• All of our long-term working animals are guaranteed a home for life with us. 
• The animals are given regular massages using their Equillium pads,  we use the best equine vets and an excellent farrier. 
• All of the donkeys & ponies have their own personal  blankets and tack fitted specially to them, in order to ensure maximum comfort. If a donkey or pony is relaxed and happy to work without a bit, they work in headcollars, again to maximise their comfort.
• All of the donkeys and ponies are inspected by a vet at least once a year. They are all wormed in accordance to veterinary recommendation and all have their feet trimmed on a 6 weekly cycle.
• Each animal is known to us individually. We know where each one likes to be scratched, what they like and dislike, what their favourite treats are, what they are comfortable with. 
• They truly are a part of our families and we love them very much