Buckthorn begins a new life

Buckthorn is starting anew with a menagerie of other animals that live the good life at Abbotts View Farm, and he owes his fresh start to owners James and Jo Dell their children.

The middleweight cob and was rescued from a camp along with others when he was just a yearling. He hadn’t been handled much and he was skittish around people.

Last year he spent the winter with a foster family before returning to the RSPCA in Woking to resume his training. He went to live with the Dells, who built their fully sustainable, off-grid, eco farmhouse in just 16 weeks, earlier this month.

Said Jo: “Here at Abbotts View Farm we breed alpacas and currently have 30 with 7 cria (babies) due next May/June. We also have pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs and ducks.

“We have 22 acres which is more than enough for the needs of our current animals and as our 19-year-old daughter Amy has owned a horse in the past we were keen to offer a place to a horse or pony who hadn’t had a good start in life and needed a calm, peaceful home.

“We visited the RSPCA and when we met Buckthorn we fell in love with him!

“Being a cob he will suit farm life perfectly and Amy plans to teach him to drive so he can carry out some farm duties, for exercise and to keep his mind occupied as much as helping out!

“He was a little scared of the pigs but will get used to them. He’s not quite sure what the alpacas are and the strange sounds they make. He is in a paddock next to the miniature ponies for company and they have enjoyed meeting one another. He is the perfect addition to our farm family.”

Abbotts View Farm holds open days where people can meet our animals and sample Jo’s home made cake.

For more information about the farm’s open days and visiting packages contact Jo on 07989 063595 or visit their website www.abbottsviewalpacas.co.uk.