A STUD farm near Chulmleigh is set to host a free open day as part of National Racehorse Week.
Molland Ridge Farm will welcome visitors on Saturday, September 7 from 12.30pm to 3pm.
The farm is run by former jockey and national hunt trainer Jess Westwood and offers “high-class care" including foaling down, setting up breeding programs, sale preparation and consignment as well as breaking-in and pre-training.
It works with a diverse age group of horses from neonatal foals to retired racehorses, and also rehabilitates horses that have been injured or needed specialised post operative care.
“The day will start off with a foal parade explaining their ages, breeding and futures, followed by a loose schooling demonstration on how we teach a young horse to jump,” a spokesperson said.
“Then we will have a specialised talk and demonstration on body-scoring a horse and how we adjust their diet to each individual.
“We then have an exciting demonstration with the vet scanning two mares that are in foal, as well as a farrier demonstrating how he shoes a horse that is in moderate work.
“During the afternoon you can go and meet the horses and foals in the stables and view the facilities including our all-weather turnout paddocks.
“We will close the afternoon with our Guess the Weight of a Foal competition by weighing them in front of everyone and announcing the winner.
“There are no entry fees to the afternoon, but we are asking for donations for a defibrillator/ AED for our local community as well as the competition proceeds going towards this that will hopefully give our rural community a lifesaving piece of equipment.”
National Racehorse Week runs from September 7 to 15 and will feature more than 100 events across the country.
The majority of Molland Ridge Farm is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There are toilet facilities on site, as well as drinking water and refreshments (cash only). Parking is available.
To book your place on the open day, go to: nationalracehorseweek.uk/yard/molland-ridge-stud/.