Tuesday 7 April 2015

Hope Pastures

Easter this year has been quite busy. Mick, with Eleanor's help, decorated our bedroom, and we also managed to get quite a few jobs done in the garden.

On Sunday afternoon, we took time out to visit Hope Pastures, The Phyllis Harvey Horse & Donkey Trust which rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes horses, ponies and donkeys.

Hope Pastures is just off the Leeds ring road on Weetwood Lane and I've passed it many, many times, often remarking how I'd like to visit and see the work that they do, so whilst Mick was waiting for one coat of paint to dry before he could start on the next coat, we headed off for a look around.


This is Domino, a young horse. He came to us straight away wanting a stroke and a bit of attention. He wasn't a bit nervous of us.


Just look at that whiskery chin, so cute.


Muffin the mule, he's half pony, half donkey. He's a little bit stubborn, but what do you expect, he's a mule. You've heard the saying, as stubborn as a mule.


Banjo is a beautiful donkey who has come a long way since arriving at Hope Pastures. He'd been found frightened and underweight at a horse market where his owner was seen hitting him. He'd travelled a long way and was tired and thirsty, but no one wanted to buy him so a kind person bid £63 to save his life and he ended up at Hope Pastures. He's now got a friend, another donkey called Coco who arrived at Hope Pastures around the same time and Banjo has learnt a lot from him and isn't quite so nervous anymore.


Every horse, pony or donkey here has got a story, but it's wonderful to see them enjoying life again. There's plenty of space for them and they each seem to have their own special friend.



The 'Gone but not forgotten' wall shows how special each of these animals are, even when they're no longer here, they're still remembered.


Resident turkey. He has his own little door in the gate so that he can come and go as he likes.


The staff were so friendly, happy to answer any questions we had. It seems they're passionate about education and that's one of the reasons why they offer Pony Days in the school holidays where as well as having fun, the children can be taught about the importance of animal welfare and the work of the organisation. It really is easy for families, groups and organisations to get involved with the work of the sanctuary as there's regular events throughout the year where the public are able to get involved.

Hope Pastures is open to the public every day of the year free of charge. The visitor centre is open at weekends and bank holidays with activities, information, souvenirs and refreshments. If you're in the area why not pop in?

16 comments:

  1. What a lovely place! I'm happy to think that people will buy a donkey to keep it safe.

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    1. It really is. The sanctuary runs alongside a busy road but somehow it's so peaceful there. I think Banjo would have ended up as pet food, after enduring mistreatment, if he hadn't been bought. It's so sad, isn't it? I'm so pleased that there's caring people in this world.

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  2. A lovely post, and I always enjoy visiting such places. Flighty xx

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    1. It's heartening to know there's good people who will offer these poor animals a good home. I think visiting such places is a bittersweet experience, knowing that they've had to be rescued from mistreatment is sickening but it's wonderful that they've found safety, love and friendship.

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  3. Sounds like a great place to visit or to work at. Love horses and donkeys, had some when we were younger.

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    1. I'm sure the staff and volunteers get so much out of their involvement, it's never a one way street, is it? We enjoyed our visit and I'm sure we'll return very soon.

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  4. It looks like a great place for a family outing. I really enjoy places where you can get close to animals. I think it's very good for kids, especially if they live in the city like mine do and can't see livestock very often. I realized a couple of years ago that my son, at seven, was getting horses and cows mixed up in his mind! Luckily, we have a small working farm inside our local botanic garden and I started taking them to see it more often so they could watch animals and get to know them a little. Thanks for sharing your outing. I hope you're having a good week so far.

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    1. I was always amazed when children didn't know much about animals. I was so lucky growing up, living on the outskirts of a large city, but almost in the country. Our house backed on to farmland so I saw farm animals on a daily basis, I only had to look out of the window or over the hedge and I could see sheep and cows and lots more things besides. Of course, now I understand that many children grow up in towns and cities and never see animals beyond cats and dogs. As you say, working farms are fabulous places, allowing children to not only see animals which they wouldn't usually see but also interact with them and learn all about them. I was really impressed that Hope Pastures not only act in the best interests of the animals, giving them a better life, but also work to educate the next generation, so that less animals have to suffer in the future.

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  5. The animals look very peaceful in their rest home! xx

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    1. They're certainly enjoying their lives now.

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  6. A very worth cause Jo. I hate to see how some horses and ponies are treated. We had Welsh Ponies as girls and up and until recently my sister who lives in Wales still had horses these days she breeds and shows Japanese Akitas. We do have a local sanctuary but a bit like you I've never yet got to go.

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    1. I think it's wonderful that they're not only giving these horses, ponies and donkeys a new home but they're educating people about their care too. I was a supporter of a sanctuary in Norwich called Redwings many years ago, I used to sponsor one of their horses but it's good to have a local sanctuary where you can go and actually see the horse you're sponsoring.

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  7. What a wonderful place to have close to home. I can see you making a return visit there. So lovely to hear that the animals are living happily.
    Lisa x

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    1. We'll definitely visit again. We pass each time we go to the crematorium to take flowers for my sister and they've got various events on throughout the year so I can see us becoming regulars, if only to have a little stroke or two.

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  8. Hope Pastures sounds a very special place. All animal sanctuary's do a wonderful job, you are fortunate in having this close by to you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. We're lucky to have such caring people taking care of these unfortunate animals and giving them a second chance in life. I think they deserve all the support we can give them.

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