Meet our animal residents

 Desmond is our gentle giant, a 15.2hh Comptois gelding with a kind heart and calm nature. As a French heavy horse breed known for its strength and steady temperament, Desmond is both powerful and peaceful. With his sturdy build, golden coat, and flowing flaxen mane, he’s an impressive presence on the farm but has a soft spot for quiet affection and gentle grooming. He is incredibly patient and responsive, making him a favourite among visitors, especially those who are nervous around larger animals. Desmond brings a reassuring, grounding energy to our sessions and embodies the calm, therapeutic spirit of Alternative Acres. 

 George is our cheeky chappy, a lovable Shetland x Dartmoor pony with a big personality in a small package! With his mischievous twinkle and curious nature, George keeps everyone on their toes and never fails to raise a smile. He’s full of character, loves attention, and has a knack for making instant connections with visitors of all ages. Despite his playful streak, George is gentle and kind, making him a wonderful companion for grooming, leading, and quiet interaction. He brings fun, warmth, and a bit of sparkle to every session at Alternative Acres. 

Jiggy is our friendly 13.2hh piebald cob with a heart as big as his hooves. Known for his affectionate nature, Jiggy absolutely loves people and will happily follow you around the farm like a loyal dog, always curious and keen to be part of whatever’s going on. He thrives on attention, especially when it comes to being groomed and fussed over, and his calm, steady presence makes him a firm favourite with visitors. What makes Jiggy truly special is his natural intuition—he seems to sense when someone is nervous or unsure, responding with quiet patience and gentle reassurance. He’s a true therapy horse and a treasured member of the Alternative Acres family. 

Sheldon is our slow-moving but much-loved Horsefield tortoise, known for his calm nature and curious personality. Despite his small size, Sheldon has a big presence on the farm and is always a favourite with visitors. He enjoys a relaxed lifestyle, often found basking in the sun, exploring his surroundings at his own pace, or munching on his favourite greens. Sheldon’s gentle movements and unique appearance make him a great addition to sensory and mindfulness activities, offering a peaceful, grounding experience. He’s a wonderful reminder to slow down and enjoy the little moments 

Meet the boys!

Four castrated male pygmy goats… small in size, big in attitude, and absolutely zero respect for personal space, fences, or the concept of “no.”

Don’t be fooled by the cute faces, these lads are the farm’s official mischief masters. If something’s been climbed, escaped, knocked over, or mysteriously chewed… it was them. No investigation needed.

They work as a team too,  one distracts you with cuteness while the others get up to something they definitely shouldn’t be doing. It’s organised chaos at its finest.

Meet our Kune Kune crew.

Four little porky personalities, all belly, charm, and an impressive dedication to snacking.

Kune Kunes are known for being gentle and friendly… and ours have taken that to mean they’ll happily follow you around like dogs, especially if they think you have food.

They spend their days grazing, sunbathing, and perfecting the art of the dramatic flop (usually right after demanding a belly rub). Life is simple: eat, nap, repeat… with the occasional zoomie for no apparent reason.

 Meet Kevin 🐈

Our resident ginger supervisor, professional nap enthusiast, and full-time attention seeker.

Kevin works incredibly hard… mostly at sleeping in inconvenient places and demanding cuddles exactly when you’re busiest. If you’re trying to get anything done, don’t worry, Kevin will be there to help by sitting directly on your laptop, stealing your pen, or slowly pushing things off the table while maintaining eye contact.

 Meet Barbara & Nancy 🐑

Our two Lincolnshire Longwool ladies, living their best slow-paced, grass-fuelled lives.

These girls spend most of their day grazing like professionals, then plonking themselves down for a good chew and a gossip… because why rush when you can lounge?

But don’t be fooled by the calm,  Barbara and Nancy have a hidden talent for sneaking up behind you. One minute you’re minding your own business, the next there’s a loud BAA right behind you and two fluffy faces acting like they’ve been there the whole time.