Mattingley Farm Animals

There are currently three horses at Mattingley, ranging from a two year old Dartmoor Hill pony called Meg to a 22 year-old American quarter horse cross thoroughbred mare called Mir. Completing the trio is our latest addition, a super seven year old cob called Jay. The older horses are excellent for riding and very friendly for petting. Guests are encouraged to help out with grooming and, if they want, can ride in the safety of the paddock, subject to availability and the usual disclaimers. We cannot yet offer formal equine pursuits but this is one area we hope to develop, so watch this space.

Henry and Caspar are the Mattingley Mowers. Capable of eating almost anything from railway sleepers to neighbours' washing, these two furry friends earn their keep by controlling the hundreds of metres of the farm's perimeter vegetation. We simply move them around daily and they munch through the undergrowth saving us the work. They are quite friendly but a little boistrous and so should be treated with respect as they can knock over a child in their excitement. They are, however, vegetarians, and have not yet eaten any guests!

No self-respecting farm would be complete without an array of birds and Mattingley is no exception. Roaming free, our flock contains dozens of chickens, Muscovy and call ducks, a pair of turkeys named Hamilton and Penny Black, and guarding them all a goose. Occupying the orchard, the birds usually provide an egg or two and guests always enjoy feeding time when they are encouraged to help out.

One of the jobs for the winter will be to create a safe area outside for the two rabbits and guinea pigs we have acquired. Berry is a French lop eared rabbit and Snowy is aptly named for his albino appearance. These animals are popular with our younger guests and again we encourage interaction as much as possible.

Our farm cats are Meg and her new kitten, Pixie. Unfortunately, Meg's sister, Mog was hit by a car recently, just after her own litter of kittens had left Mattingley, but Meg is more than capable of keeping the mouse population under control. Both of the cats are very friendly and likely to sneak indoors for a quiet kip if you aren't careful!

Guarding over us all at Mattingley is the reassuringly ferocious Pippin the Jack Russell. Bouncier than a kangaroo, Pip is nearly two and just loves to be tickled. He lives in his own courtyard, mainly due to his tendancy to run away or chase the chickens. For this reason, dogs must be kept on a lead around Mattingley, unless secured in the gardens, but Pip's bark is definitely worse than his bite.

We have lots of pet animals, but also many different visitors to Mattingley. These include foxes, badgers, barn owls and other birds of prey, bats, pheasants and moor hens. We try to maintain some of the land in a natural state to encourage these animals so guests can also enjoy them.