YouTube star visits Hall Farm to be a groom for the day

Equestrian social media star, presenter and World Horse Welfare Patron Esme Higgs visited our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre recently to get first-hand experience of the work that goes into rehabilitating rescue horses.

No stranger to getting her hands dirty around horses, Esme rolled up her sleeves and tried her hand at being a groom for the day at Hall Farm, in Snetterton. Working alongside Senior Groom Megan Jarvis, Esme helped to bring ponies in to see the vet and farrier, including youngster Joy, the miracle foal born at the farm after her mum was rescued from being smuggled out of the country – who is now ready to find a home of her own.

Esme says, “Getting the chance to be a groom for a day at Hall Farm was a fascinating insight into what goes into rehabilitating horses and ponies once they’ve been rescued. Megan explained how the team have been caring for some recent arrivals, Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily, Wendy and Mary Darling, who arrived critically ill. It was heart-warming to see how they’ve transformed already with compassionate, expert care, taking their first steps on the long journey to recovery. It was also lovely to see Joy again, as I met her last year soon after she was born – she really has blossomed!”

Esme helped Megan bring Wendy and Mary Darling in from the field and made up a feed for tiny youngster Tinker Bell, as well as getting stuck in with the task of filling hay nets – which takes up a lot of time with over 100 horses being cared for at Hall Farm.

“World Horse Welfare has always been close to my heart, and rehoming Duke gave me a real insight into how transformative the charity’s work can be,” Esme continues. “As a Welsh pony, Duke may be small but he’s brought huge joy to me and my family, as well as my other horses.”

As a rehomer, Esme was keen to help some of the farm’s horses and ponies who’ve been on our rehoming scheme the longest to find homes of their own. Soon to feature on her popular YouTube channel, they included 17.2hh Thoroughbred gelding Earl, 26-year-old cob gelding Jake (pictured above), and three-year-old mare Midnight, who are all looking for homes where they can be friends to other horses.

Esme says, “I’d encourage anyone looking for a companion to consider rehoming from World Horse Welfare – it’s so rewarding. Not only are you giving that horse or pony a loving home, you know you’re making space for another horse to be rescued.”

Feeling inspired to rehome? Check out our rehoming pages.