Elm Tree Farm, is a Brandon social enterprise based in Stapleton, Bristol. The working care farm supports autistic people and people with learning disabilities, to gain transferable skills, access employment support, and experience the therapeutic benefits of working on a farm.
The arrival of two new foals
During the summer, the farm welcomed the safe arrival of not one, but two rare-breed foals – Bagpipe and Bonnie!
Iona, Bonnie’s mum, arrived at the farm from the Isle of Skye at the end of 2022 with her sister Bella. They are both rare Eriskay ponies – a critically endangered breed, meaning Bonnie’s arrival is a huge success story.
Bagpipe’s mum is a pony called Rain who is a cob, making Bagpipe part Eriskay colt and Bonnie, a full breed Eriskay filly. Both Rain and Iona did extremely well, delivering without needing much help from the farm team. The people we support at the farm – our co-farmers – and their support workers, were excited to find that Iona had foaled during the night, so it was a welcome surprise the next morning.
The whole team have loved watching the foals grow stronger and develop their own cheeky personalities. Iona and Rain have adapted to motherhood perfectly and they are all happily enjoying the sunshine under the watchful eye of Humphrey the Shetland pony, who is a firm favourite at the farm.
Bella and her remarkable recovery
Bella, sister to Iona and now a proud auntie, has her own remarkable story to tell. Following an unfortunate accident late last year, she fractured her neck and dislocated her vertebrae. Whilst initial examinations revealed the severity of her injury and her future was uncertain, the latest examinations reveal that thankfully, the future is looking bright for Bella.
After a lot of generous medical care, love and attention from the farm team, it may even be possible for Bella to carry her own foal in the future. The farm team would also like to thank everyone who donated to the fundraising campaign to help fund Bella’s medical costs, as well as the dedicated medical professionals who were instrumental in Bella’s rehabilitation. Since Bella is now doing so well, she has been allowed back out into the field with the rest of the ponies and the two new foals.
Visit Elm Tree Farm shop
Elm Tree Farm is a small working care farm which offers support and training for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. Our co-farmers breed and care for lots of different animals, including Bella and Iona. As well as animal care, the co-farmers also work in the market garden, plant nursery, and wood workshop.
The on-site farm shop is full of deliciously fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown using organic methods, and other local produce and gifts. Why not come and browse? The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm.
