Visitor Centre » Touch and Groom

Touch & Groom the Animals Children get a real sense of responsibility from handling and learning about caring for animals. At HorseWorld you will meet horses, ponies, donkeys, ducks, chickens, goats, sheep and pigs in the safe and friendly environment of the designated Touch & Groom areas!

Courtesy of Harptrees Photography

Here are some tips, straight from the horses mouth, on approaching the animals and making your day safe and enjoyable:

Some of our animals have been badly treated or neglected by uncaring people in the past.
Please read the notices on the stable doors and explain to younger children which animals need sensitive handling because of this
Wait for a horse to present itself for some attention and then stroke it on the neck or forehead
Nervous horses are wary of human hands. If they back off, offer the back of your hand for them to sniff and avoid their eyes or ears
If an animal moves away from you, puts his ears back or turns his hind quarters towards you he’s asking to be left alone
Never touch an animal if it has not seen you first, especially if you are approaching from the side and never approach an animal from behind as you could scare it
Please be aware of the horses’ and ponies’ hooves so that your feet don’t get trodden on!
Please observe the signs in the Touch and Groom areas regarding the number of people allowed in the stable: too many could be overwhelming for the ponies
Please do not feed any of the animals. All are on special diets and any titbits could make them poorly. Feeding by hand also encourages animals to bite
Watch the horse’s ears: if they are pointing forward or are relaxed and moving slowly it is a good sign!

New for 2008! Look out for Interactive Feeding Sessions each day!