Horsepool Farm

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A therapy farm aiming to improve the lives of young autistic people and their families in our area

27/10/2026

🐹💚 Happy Guinea Pig Awareness Week from all of us at Horsepool Farm! 💚🐹

Our gorgeous guinea pig herd have been making the most of the last of the sunny days, enjoying some well-deserved time grazing on the grass! ☀️🌱 There’s nothing quite like watching them munch away, explore their surroundings and enjoy being guinea pigs.

We believe that understanding animal welfare is just as important as the joy and comfort animals can bring us. 💚

Guinea pigs may be small, but they have big personalities and specific needs. They need plenty of space, companionship with other guinea pigs, a constant supply of good hay, fresh water, appropriate food and gentle, respectful handling. They also communicate in their own wonderful ways, and learning to recognise their body language helps us give them the best possible care. 🐹

At Horsepool Farm, our animals are never just here to be cuddled — they are our teammates, teachers and friends. They help us learn about empathy, patience, boundaries and the importance of putting animal welfare first. 💚

So, this Guinea Pig Awareness Week, we’re celebrating our little herd and reminding everyone that happy, healthy guinea pigs start with understanding their needs!

26/10/2026

The David Lock Horsepool Foundation is looking for a caring, reliable self-employed Session Leader to support and lead our farm-based sessions for well being and education with children and young people, particularly those with autism.

This role involves delivering calm, meaningful, hands-on activities with our animals in a supportive and inclusive environment. Sessions run during weekday school hours, with occasional Saturday mornings by agreement.

🐴 Confident and knowledgeable around animals essential
💙 Patient, calm and sensitive approach essential
🧩 Autism experience welcomed but not essential
✔️ Enhanced DBS required (we’ll cover the cost)
📅 Flexible, session-by-session work

If you’re passionate about animals and making a real difference in your local community, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 To apply, please email qualifications and/or relevant experience to [email protected]

📩 For any questions, message us via Facebook or email [email protected]

15/10/2026

Just look at those ears! 👂💙 Freddie has found himself the perfect little hideaway, keeping cosy in his house while enjoying a bit of sunshine.

We think he looks rather pleased with himself! 🥰

A little reminder from Freddie: rabbits are happiest when they feel safe, have space to explore, and can choose when they want to interact. Sometimes, the best way to show them love is simply to let them relax in their own little world. 🌿

08/10/2026

The news you’ve been waiting for…

🐹🩷MEET WAFFLE & CINNAMON! 🩷🐹

We’d like to introduce two of our newest little residents, Waffle (black and tan) and Cinnamon (fawn), who we collected on Sunday. They’ve been settling in really well and are already starting to make themselves at home! 🥰

When introducing new guinea pigs to an existing herd, we always take things slowly. Waffle and Cinnamon are currently spending time in an introduction pen, which gives everyone the opportunity to meet and get used to one another in a neutral, carefully monitored space.

Guinea pigs can be very social, but they also have their own personalities and hierarchy. When new guinea pigs meet an established group, there can be squeaking, chasing, rumbling, mounting and the occasional disagreement while they work out who is who and where everyone fits in. This is why introductions need to be carefully managed rather than simply putting new guinea pigs straight into an established enclosure.

The introduction pen allows us to:

* Closely monitor their interactions
* Make sure everyone has enough space
* Watch for signs of stress or genuine aggression
* Allow them to establish their hierarchy safely
* Make sure Waffle and Cinnamon are settling and eating well
* Give them time to build positive relationships at their own pace

We never rush introductions. The welfare and safety of every guinea pig comes first, and we’ll only move them into their permanent accommodation once we’re happy that they are settled and ready.

At Horsepool Farm, we also have a rescue and rehome policy when it comes to our small furries. We don’t buy new guinea pigs or other small animals. There are so many wonderful animals already looking for loving, safe and permanent homes, so whenever we have space, we choose to give a rescue or rehome that opportunity.

We’re really looking forward to watching Waffle and Cinnamon settle into farm life and become part of the herd🩷

Welcome to Horsepool Farm, little ones! 🐹🐹🌿

06/10/2026

We have some news from the Guinea Pig herd today… can anyone guess why we’d use these big temporary pens? 🐹🩷

02/10/2026

💙 A HUGE THANK YOU TO GOLDING BROWN THERAPIES! 💙

We’d like to say a massive thank you to Golding Brown Therapies for their generous donation of £51 to Horsepool Farm! 🥰🌿

Every donation makes a real difference to our charity and helps us continue providing a safe, calm and supportive environment for our animals, young people and families. 🐴🐑🦙🐐🐔

We’re so grateful for your kindness and support of the work we do here at Horsepool Farm.

Thank you, Golding Brown Therapies! 💙

01/10/2026

🎉💙 WE’VE REACHED 1,000 FOLLOWERS! 💙🎉

Wow… 1,000 of you! 🥹

A huge thank you to every single person who has followed our journey, liked a post, shared our stories, left us a lovely comment or simply taken the time to see what we get up to here at Horsepool Farm. 🐴🦙🐑🐐🐔

Every follow helps us reach more people and share the work we do with our animals, young people and our wider community. 💙

From muddy boots and early mornings to animal cuddles, learning, laughter and plenty of fluffy faces — we’re so grateful that you’re here to share it all with us! 🌿

Here’s to the next 1,000! 🥂💙

Thank you for supporting The David Lock Horsepool Foundation and everything we’re working to achieve.

🐴🌿 1,000 followers. One amazing community. Thank you! 💙

30/09/2026

🦙🌿 Today at Horsepool Farm… 🌿🦙

Today’s session was all about creating the perfect new environment for our alpacas! 💙

The Poolers worked together to move the alpacas into a fresh paddock with some of their favourite trees 🌲🦙 — because who doesn’t love a good tree?!

Before letting them settle in, the Poolers helped set up additional fencing to keep our alpacas safe and secure. They risk assessed the new area, thought carefully about the animals’ needs and worked as a team to make sure their new environment was both safe and enriching.

We also linked this back to our Five Animal Freedoms, thinking about how we can provide:
🌱 A suitable environment
💧 Food and water
🩺 Good health and care
🦙 Opportunities to behave naturally
💙 Freedom from fear and distress

It was fantastic to see the Poolers putting their knowledge into practice, making decisions together and taking real responsibility for the welfare of our animals. 🥰

Learning, teamwork, problem-solving and animal care all rolled into one session! 🌿🦙💙

Address

Lychgate Lane
Burbage
LE103AQ

Website

http://horsepool.org/

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