Newfield Farm's 'Meet the Animals' event is a breath of fresh country air for visitors
The owners of Newfield Farm threw open their gates last Sunday for a special open day event that proved a great success with the many visitors who attended.
Kirsty Moore and her partner Keith Connor run the farm and posted on its Facebook page, Newfield Farm Equine Adventures, that they were hosting a Meet the Animals open day event.
Kirsty said on the day: "We're running it from 10am until 4pm and it's a chance for people to come and meet all the animals and horses. Some people took picnics along and there's a play area for the kids too."
The open day event proved more popular than Kirsty and Keith envisaged with a large grassy area outside the farm luckily made available for the many families in cars that turned up.
The unpredictable Caithness weather was sunny for most of the day as parents travelled from nearby Wick and surroundings for horse rides and pony brushing and to meet a menagerie of animals including pet lamb Echo "who loves a cuddle"; Bramble and Rosie the sheep; Daffodil and Onyx the goats; Freya the barn owl; Marshmallow the donkey; Zephyr the Harris Hawk; and Noodle the ferret.
There was also a grassy area for kids to play after they had met the animals who were described as "all very friendly and love to be stroked". Kirsty and other experienced handlers took youngsters on short tours of the farm on horseback and queues built up as children waited for their turn.
After the event, Kirsty updated the Facebook page and said the day had been "amazing". The post reads: "Can't thank you all enough for coming down to meet the horses and other furry and feathered creatures. It was lovely to see you all and great to see lots of happy little ones running about enjoying themselves.
"Didn't expect quite so many people so we will certainly be better prepared next time with regards to hot food etc. Can't wait to see you again soon. From us all here at Newfield Farm."
Newfield Farm is a fully licensed and insured riding stables, offering on and offsite hacking and lessons, with horses to suit all abilities.
Visit the Newfield Farm Equine Adventures Facebook page for updates on future events and more information at www.facebook.com/newfieldfarmcaithness