Stonehurst Farm and the Nelson ARK invite you to join them for their annual open day on Sunday, March 1. Since joining forces, the two groups have been operating in harmony to provide a supportive and safe environment for those working with both dogs and horses. Their open day is a chance for people to share in the wonderful work they do and learn more about how they can become a part of it.
Originally a riding school and trekking business, Stonehurst has successfully re-invented itself, offering horse owner’s excellent facilities for riding and grazing their animals. Owners Laurence and Suzanne Max are passionate about horses and their full working farm includes 50 hectares of managed grazing as well as a wide variety of farm trails, including access to 250 hectares of neighbouring farmland and a five kilometre river boundary. Grazing services include hay fed twice daily all year round, saved grass strip fed as required, fences, water and well maintained pastures, twice daily check on horses, individual feeding programmes if required, float hire, animal health and hoof care provided as required, top instructors available for lessons, and clinics held on site for those looking to learn more about equine topics.
The fantastic grazing opportunities are enhanced by Stonehurst Farms facilities, which make it the perfect place for casual hire to individuals or groups from any discipline. The riding centre is open seven days a week with a casual rate of just $10 an hour per horse, or their special rate means you have unlimited use of the grounds for $60 a month. The farm encompasses three all weather floodlit arenas – being a 30 metre round arena, 80 metre by 40 metre show jumping/dressage arena and an 18 metre round starting arena. They also offer a new all purpose 65 metre by 35 metre arena of screened topsoil, use of the yards, holding and grazing paddocks, parking, float access and extensive farm riding. Their new riding arena has been a major investment for the farm that is already reeling in positive reviews. “It’s a good surface. Good grip, secure footing but good cushioning, it would be suitable for any equine discipline,” says well known local horse trainer, Justin Cooney.
“It’s a really safe environment for people to ride in and there’s always help and support on hand. We’ve got horse grazing as well as facility hire. It’s open for anyone who wants to bring their horses, anyone that wants to hold a clinic, pony clubs or any riding clubs that want to hold an event, we’ve got everything – picnic facilities, shade, kitchen, pens, toilets, and parking,” says Suzanne.
The Nelson ARK has also recognised the unique set up of Stonehurst Farm, and is proud to base its charitable organisation there too. “Our focus is on working with young people who have lost their way and need some help with building skills and their self esteem, and we place them alongside dogs that are not immediately re-homeable,” says The Nelson ARK’s community co-ordinator, Karen Howieson. “We run a programme, which is an 8 week intensive programme, where they are responsible for retraining a dog. The dog training component teaches those young people respect, responsibility, problem solving and discipline, and then we have a second component called healing species which is a compassion education violence intervention programme and that is to help young people learn to deal with difficult situations and to hold on to their power.”
There are a number of benefits that have come from working closely together and both groups receive a lot of support from the other. “We share certain facilities and that kind of reduces the overheads, but we also do an equine session and going forward we will look at an equine programme, based on the APART (Animals People and Rehabilitative training) programme. Laurence and Suzanne are supportive of what we do and vice versa, and a number of the people who have horses here come and volunteer for the ark, so it all works; it’s actually quite a community that we have here and so relationships and communication are all very important,” says Karen.
The annual open day for Stonehurst and The Nelson ARK is the perfect opportunity to come and share in the positive work that both groups are doing. Having updated their logo and with a new website on its way, The Ark Nelson are keen to welcome new volunteers into their organisation.
“Without volunteers the ARK wouldn’t be able to operate, and it’s also important for people to know who we are and where we are,” says Karen. “We’re always desperate for foster families who are willing to look after the dogs for the duration of the programme, the ark pays for all expenses but we always need new families because many of them fall in love with the dogs and end up adopting them.” There’s a whole range of volunteer work available, depending on people’s skills, from the dog advisory group, fundraising committee, and youth advisory group to volunteers for stalls at events, cleaning and accounts. Through the APART programme, The Nelson ARK also supports people who are interested in working with young people, with training and support to complete their level 3 youth work certificate.
The Nelson ARK will have its offices open during the open day for any people looking to learn more about supporting the group, while Stonehurst Farm is free to be explored with Laurence and Suzanne on hand for any enquiries about facility hire or grazing. The annual open day will include a number of other activities including pony rides, horse and cart rides, a bouncy castle, horse and dog demonstrations, second hand horse gear for sale, ice cream, a sausage sizzle and coffee. The day will run from 10am until 2pm so come down and see this fantastic set up for yourself. Stonehurst Farm and The Nelson ARK are situated at 165 Haycock Road in Hope.
