OUR EVENING GAZETTE COLUMN: MARCH 2022

SPRINGTIME AT THE UNICORN CENTRE

It’s early spring and our ponies have noticed! They’re shedding their thick winter coats now with the result that everyone on the yard gets covered in horsehair. The grass is growing too, so there’s a renewed spring in their step as they enjoy the sunshine! 

 

The feeling of new beginnings continues as we gradually relax our Covid restrictions, but we’re still advising the wearing of masks to protect our vulnerable participants. 

 

We’re busy planning lots of activities for the year and welcoming back more participants as they feel able to return to riding. We have Tea with a Pony sessions arranged for tomorrow, 28 April and 19 May for people living with dementia or similar conditions. Visitors can meet our lovely, quiet ponies, see a pony display and enjoy tea and cakes with our volunteers. This is a great opportunity to relive old memories and rekindle the joy of being around horses. Do get in touch if you would like to book a place for your loved one and a carer or relative.

 

Our Pony Care sessions for younger horse-mad enthusiasts will be taking place over the Easter holidays with lots of horse-based and Easter-themed activities. Details are on our website www.rdaunicorncentre.co.uk/diary-dates.   These sessions for children aged 5 and over take place during each school holidays and are very popular, so book as soon as you can.

 

Our hunt for horses continues as we get busier and this is proving to be quite a challenge to find the perfect additions to Team Unicorn.  We’re looking for special horses and ponies to join us, either to buy or on permanent loan. Preferably 14.2 – 15.2 hh, aged 8 to mid/late teens, one with a narrower build and one weight-carrier plus some smaller on-off lead rein ponies. It’s vital that they have a calm temperament, have no fitness or health issues, be well-schooled and well mannered in the yard and field and used to working in an arena environment. That’s a long list of requirements, but our riders deserve the best. If you know of any suitable applicants to join our friendly, efficient yard, please apply by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

All our riding activities rely heavily on the excellent condition of our arena surface.  It’s a specialised dust-free surface, and it doesn’t come cheap.  We need to replace it every five or so years to keep it in tip-top condition, and we need to do so this year.  The overall cost is around £16,000, which is a lot of money to find. I’m applying for lots of grants, but we are fundraising too, by asking people to Buy a Bucket of Surface with a recommended donation of £5. Head over to our JustGiving fundraising page www.justgiving.com/campaign/buyabucket if you would like to donate. 

 

Thank you for your continuing support.   Claire Pitt, Centre Manager.