A couple of Saturdays ago it was blowing a gale and was pretty miserable weather wise. We headed over to the Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth for a specific purpose. On the second saturday of each month there is the opportunity for children with special needs to have donkey rides within the sanctuary in a specialist centre. I had heard really positive stories about it so wanted to go along and find out more.
The Donkey Sanctuary is surrounded by countryside and is in a really beautiful setting near Sidmouth. There are many lush green fields within the sanctuary for the donkeys to roam and I imagine in good weather it is a joy to see them pottering about. As it was on this particular saturday, the weather was so grim they were inside a lovely big barn with overhead heaters. So that’s where we headed first to say hello.
There is a gift shop that is full of donkey-tastic things to buy and a restaurant which was closed for redecoration when we went but I see from the website that it has now just reopened.
This is as close to anything Valentine you are going to see on my blog! Valentine was particularly friendly, came over to see us as soon as we came in and was very interested in J who was in his buggy. He kept putting his nose through the bars for a closer sniff (I think?!).
Prior to our visit I did phone ahead and book J in for his 15 minute donkey ride. I did voice my concern that J is so little despite the fact he will be 3 in May but I was assured the youngest they have had on a donkey was a one year old! Good I thought. Jesse is now donning 12-18m clothes so he should be fine. The riding therapy centre is the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys and it merged with the Donkey Sanctuary in January of last year. The therapy sessions are free of charge and are for children with special needs and disabilities. Inside the centre are some toys to play with while waiting and a small sensory room. You can also buy light refreshments in there too.
This playground is specifically for children that are attending the therapy sessions. I really like the fact this is here actually. J loves playgrounds. Sometimes it can be a bit of a minefield for him with other children being naturally boisterous and bouncing around. I’m looking forward to seeing what this is like in better weather.
So.. onto the ride! Well, I am happy to say they did have a little helmet small enough for J! To my surprise he didn’t fight it being put on either. Since he has a few sensory issues I was not expecting a huge success first time round to be honest and wasn’t even sure we would be able to get him sitting on the donkey without wailing.
As it was he coped well being on such a big donkey (I am having flashbacks to when I was around 12 and went to a horse riding place on holiday and was just too scared being on the horse and have never been on one since!). Actually the donkey was small but for J I am sure he seemed pretty huge! J’s feet wouldn’t reach the stirrups so they were taken off and he was well supported to sit up on the ride around. J spent most of the time with his thumb planted in his mouth (which meant he wasn’t quite sure of it) but at one point he did take his thumb out and giggled. In my book that is a success and it was so lovely to be able to give it a try. We also tried J laying on his front over the donkey’s back on a sheepskin rug to see if he preferred that position. He didn’t complain but I think sitting upright was better for him.
In summary I would definitely recommend the sanctuary as a lovely place to have a day out. This review is obviously focused on the riding therapy within the sanctuary more. I am looking forward to going back for more donkey rides and also to experience the Sanctuary in its entirety. I have a longstanding friend who has been there a few times over the years as her mum lives close by and she still loves it. It’s definitely worth making the trip. You will find the donkey sanctuary on twitter here and also here for the therapy centre. It is the world’s largest donkey and mule charity and naturally donations are welcomed. You can also find them over on facebook too. Go and say hello!
I love the Donkey Sanctuary, I had no idea they had such a fab kids programme running there, that makes them double lovely peeps! Glad J enjoyed himself xx
sonyacisco recently posted…Nandos Comes to Town.
Maybe we could do a meet up there in the summer
What a lovely post and what a great idea. I love the fact the Donkey Sanctuary caters for special needs.
wendy recently posted…Mystique of Autism
It’s really lovely there x
Lovely thing to do, the donkeys looks adorable! Please link up with me on Country Kids tomorrow
I will do Fiona thanks x
Those donkeys are adorable. What a great thing to do (both by the donkey carers and the family)
Susan recently posted…January 25. Day 25. The Writing is on the Wall
I have never been to the sanctuary but it is somewhere I would love to go. It looks so green in your photos in comparison to all the snowy photos!
Nikki Thomas recently posted…Young and in Love?
lovely post, the donkeys look so cute xx
my mum has taken the boys here a few times and i want to go myself one day )she said thy do fab fish finger sandwiches in their cafe!). looks like you chose a lovely day to visit – look at that blue sky! the kids programme running there is excellent isnt it? J must have loved his donkey ride.
what a great read thanks x
jenny paulin recently posted…Snow, Ice And Shadows (Country Kids)
We love Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary and visit every time we go to Devon. Last year we adopted Walter for my mother in law then took her to visit him at Easter. My son loved taking us through the maze & found it hilarious when we just went round in circles. I love to watch them on the webcam every now and then & would recommend a visit to here to anyone.
Joanne Dodd recently posted…Snow, snow and more snow
Love the look of the donkey sanctuary, we have a horse one just around the corner from us and the girls love visiting.
OneDad3Girls recently posted…#Countrykids Sorry More Snow
I love the donkey sanctuary, such fun there. We went there for the first time with The Boy two Summers ago and I think it’s time for a return visit when we go to Bridport this year.
Popping over from Country Kids
TheBoyandMe recently posted…365 #4
Sounds like a fab idea! I am looking forward to going back in warmer weather to see them all out in the paddocks.
ah what lovely pictures, i would love to visit!
sarah recently posted…#silentsunday
I love the Donkeys, I want them all
x
Maybe a new calling in life? They are very lovely x
(popping over from Country Kids link) This sounds wonderful, my little boy (dual sensory impairment) would love the opportunity to do something like this. Sadly there’s nothing like this near us
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) recently posted…In the kitchen with Nigella: Oatcakes
That a shame Emma! Maybe a Devon holiday would be in order
Jesse also has dual sensory impairment with some sight issues I am told not to underestimate. Would the charity Sense be appropriate for your little boy?
What is it about donkey’s that are so appealing?
I went as a child (it’s been there a long time) and went again in September. The location is fantastic and the cafe was good.
I’m glad J liked the donkey ride.
helloitsgemma recently posted…Silent Sunday