The on-site Equestrian Centre helps people with and without disabilities experience riding and carriage driving, with help from some truly amazing horses and ponies.
We believe everyone should have a chance to enjoy riding and carriage sessions. This ongoing belief constantly drives us to provide the best stable sessions for residential guests. These sessions include sensory work such as grooming, horse-riding for people of all abilities, ages, and skills, and carriage-riding for wheelchair users.
The Equestrian Centre also provides private riding lessons for those with and without disabilities, arena hire for those who need it and whatever else we can to encourage riding for all.
None of this would be possible without the amazing efforts of the crucial horses and ponies who support many people. Now it’s our turn to support the ponies in return.
What’s included in a sponsorship?
From just £30 a year, you can contribute towards the care of your favourite pony or horse, and in return, you will receive:
• A certificate recognising the commitment you have made
• Either a horse keyring or fridge magnet with a photo of the pony or horse you have sponsored, together with a photograph
• Annual updates
• Be named on our Equestrian Centre sponsors’ wall
• An opportunity to visit your horse or pony in the stables at one of our open days or organised tours
Introducing our horses and ponies (and donkeys)…
The equine at Calvert Devon are very special.
They are endlessly patient and work extremely hard to ensure guests and visitors can maximise the potential of the amazing therapeutic benefits of being able to ride, drive a carriage or touch the animals.
Here you can read their profiles to learn about each friendly character.
Benson
Height 14hh • Cob • Skewbald • Gelding
Born 2005 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2019
Benson is friendly but cheeky, and he has an unusual white marking on his right shoulder. Have a close look and see if you can spot a jumping kangaroo.
Benson loves to be ridden, but he is also a backup carriage-driving pony, excelling at both jobs. He’s an all-round team player who chills with guests and enjoys being groomed.
You wouldn’t think Benson has a mischievous side from how good he is in the stables with guests, but there is a cheeky chap personality hiding away. He can be funny, quickly running into the field to be ‘the first’ to arrive despite his small size.
Overall, Benson is a reliable and helpful pony who knows how to look after our guests and riders, so it’s always a pleasure to involve him in every aspect of equestrian centre life.
Gordon
Height 16.1hh • Irish Draft Cob • Grey • Gelding
Born 2011 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2024
Gordon is a big, solid horse with a soft heart. He’s a very handsome chap, but knows it and is a little vain. He loves attention and will kick up a fuss if he’s not getting enough!
Gordon enjoys being groomed and is very gentle and friendly with humans, so anyone can stroke, groom and hug him. He feels super soft too.
He must also be the centre of attention in the fields and act like he’s in charge. But the other horses ensure he behaves, and they all get on well. Gordon seems to have a soft spot for Ruby, maybe love is in the air?
We don’t know much about Gordon’s past, but he came from a loving family in Wales and instantly settled into our equestrian family, making himself at home in the stables and our hearts.
Harold
Height 16hh • Cob x Shire • Bay • Gelding
Born 2010 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2024
Harold moved from a small village called Parracombe, where he lived with Saffie and some donkey friends.
He’s been at Calvert Devon for less than a year and had not been on such a busy yard before, but you couldn’t tell. Harold fitted right in and quickly got used to the everyday routines. He is big but very gentle and keen to help in sessions.
However, Harold is not a fan of the hosepipe. Maybe he thinks it looks like a snake, but the lovely stable team have helped him overcome his worries because it keeps him clean and cool in the hot weather.
Henry
Height 15hh • Cob • Dark bay • Gelding
Born 2007 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2013
Henry is one of the most useful horses on site. He’s strong enough to be ridden by adults but short enough to be ridden by children without being too high.
He is a real gentleman in lessons and treats everyone with respect. He enjoys being pampered by the stable team and accepts a groom of his beautiful shiny coat from the other horses too.
However, Henry has a condition called Laminitis, which affects his hooves. It means he cannot be in the field too long, so he spends more time indoors chilling out. This means Henry is used to his personal space and enjoys the quiet time alone. Unlike others, he doesn’t want to be constantly fussed over and is happy to relax. When he spends time in the field, Henry makes the most of it and plays with anyone he can.
If you tickle Henry between his ears or offer him a tasty carrot, you’ll be his new best friend.
Indie
Height 16.3hh • Irish Draught • Piebald with appaloosa spots • Gelding
Born 2009 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2024
After joining in 2024, Indie quickly became great friends with Rodney—they have become best pals! This is great as they’re both gentle giants.
Indie loves hacking out on the longer rides and is a real sweetheart who is a pleasure to have around the yard.
Indie enjoys a good scratch where he tastes the air in enjoyment and will then give you a muzzle back to say thank you! He also loves cuddles and lots of carrots!
Like all the newer horses and ponies in the stables, Indie has fitted right in, and it already feels like he’s been here for years.
Lucky
Height 14.1hh • Irish Driving Pony • Piebald • Mare
Born 2001 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2017
Lucky has a ‘6’ branded on the front of her shoulder from her days as a taxi pony in Ireland, which set her up perfectly to shine as our leading carriage pony, and she’s brilliant at the job.
At Calvert Devon, Lucky enjoys a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle that matches her chilled personality. She is kind, gentle, and usually very laid-back, but with a harness on, she perks right up!
Lucky loves taking guests on carriage rides, and she never makes a fuss. Gearing her up correctly and safely and attaching her to the carriage can be a little time-consuming, so Lucky shows endless patience and continues to be relaxed no matter what.
Between carriage riding sessions, Lucky enjoys being out in the fields overlooking the reservoir. Whatever her day involves, she’s cool, calm, steady and friendly; a pleasure to be around.
Moses
Height 14.1hh • Cob • Piebald • Gelding
Born 2009 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2025
Everyone agrees that Moses is definitely the cheekiest of all the horses and ponies at Calvert Devon. Moses has a very playful and silly personality, and is a huge attention seeker! One of his favourite games is to pick things up and throw them around. No cone or bucket is safe when he’s playing, but we also have some Space Hoppers for him to mess around with, which he loves!
Despite his mischievous side, Moses is wonderful with guests and never messes around during riding sessions. He is kind-natured and enjoys being ridden as he loves to please and receive praise.
Moses also has a very special skill; he can work alongside a hoist so riders can transfer from a chair onto his back.
Moses looks after our guests well and is a pleasure to ride; he may just pick up a cone or two when no one is looking.
Pixie
Height 14hh • Welsh section D cross • Chestnut • Mare
Born 2011 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2023
Pixie and her best friend Rose joined the Calvert family in late 2023.
She is a naturally inquisitive pony who is keen to meet the guests, staff, and volunteers who come to say hello.
Pixie is a small but stocky pony who is popular with children. Like Rosie, Pixie didn’t have much riding experience in her past, so we built up her riding skills steadily as she got used to our routines. She shone in her training and picked up the role with ease, as we already know she has the perfect personality and calm temperament to excel.
Pixie loves attention and, like most horses and ponies, will do anything for food. It’s been very exciting to see her grow in confidence.
Rodney
Height 16.2hh • Black Irish Draught • Dark brown • Gelding
Born 2000 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2018
Rodney is our gentle giant! He’s tall, proud and elegant, with a big heart and a soft personality. He is incredibly friendly and really enjoys a scratch on the neck, often scratching you back in return with his muzzle.
Being one of our biggest and strongest horses, Rodney gives adults and children rides around our arena, and down to Wistlandpound Reservoir. He never complains and enjoys the sessions, he’s such a good lad! However, he does have one slightly sassy habit; when he wants a treat, he’ll kick his
stable door until he gets his food!
His name may be Rodney, but most people call him Rodney Trotter for fun. The nickname has caught on. Maybe his original owner was a big “Only Fools and Horses” fan.
Rodney grew up in Devon, so he’s a local boy, so he’s perfectly content and at home here. Whether having a day off in the fields or offering riding sessions for people with disabilities, he loves his days at Calvert Devon.
Rosie
Height 15.3hh • Cob • Skewbold • Mare
Born 2010 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2023
Rosie and Pixie joined as a pair from nearby Combe Martin in 2023. Together, they quickly learnt our way of life and settled in really well to our daily activities.
Rosie is used to getting her own way and needs people and horses around her to feel comfortable. She is very willing and kind-natured and loves to be groomed. Rosie has the perfect temperament to be ridden, but she didn’t have much practice before coming to the centre. So we took it easy and introduced her to regular riding over he first winter to build her confidence.
Since then, Rosie has settled in, is loving life, and enjoys her daily riding routine.
One other thing was immediately obvious: she loves food and isn’t fussy about what she eats.
Ruby
Height 16hh • Suffolk Punch • Chestnut • Mare
Born 2000 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2017
Ruby is a Suffolk Punch, one of the most critically endangered horse breeds. Did you know that Suffolk Punches are rarer than the Giant Panda?
She is quiet and doesn’t make a fuss, so she has a calm and gentle temperament, which helps put our guests at ease during riding sessions. Ruby can seem shy and wary of people, but she does crave human attention and loves listening to the radio when in the stables. We often like to encourage her to have a little boogie!
Ruby suffers from Sweet Itch, a common allergic reaction to insects. We must constantly treat her allergy as much as we can. The fact that she copes with the Sweet Itch and still enjoys giving gentle rides to guests shows what an absolute star she is.
Saffie
Height 16hh • Irish Draught x Thoroughbred • Dapple Grey • Mare
Born 2012 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2024
Saffire (or Saffie for short) came from the small nearby village of Parracombe to be with her friend Harold, where she lived with him and their donkey friends.
She enjoys hacking and the longer rides, but is also very good at being ridden in the indoor arena. Saffie also loves to be groomed and cuddled in the yard, enjoying the attention and being pampered.
Saffie is a social horse who is very friendly with everyone, both on the yard and in the field with her fellow equines. She is such a sweet girl, and we feel very lucky to have her helping our guests enjoy their best equine experience.
Smartie
Height 14.2hh • Bay • Welsh Section D • Gelding
Born 2007 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2023
Smartie belongs to Olivia, our very own Riding Instructor.
Smartie has been owned by Olivia for several years and competed at the elementary level in dressage. Now that he’s a little older, Olivia feels Smartie has the right temperament and personality to offer riding at Calvert Devon. Since his dressage days are behind him, Smartie can now enjoy the company of other ponies as well as guests.
Since joining in 2023, he’s made friends with everyone here. He’s become a big hit, and he has many years of riding sessions ahead of him!
Smartie is a safe, content horse that fits perfectly with the Calvert equestrian family.
You may enjoy watching Smartie’s wobbly bottom lip that naturally bounces up and down when he’s ridden or excited. We think it’s adorable, just like him.
Spirit
Height 16hh • Chestnut Mare • Thoroughbred
Born 2003 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2025
This is Spirit, who is brand new to Calvert Exmoor.
Spirit comes from her home in nearby Parracombe, where she lived with Dolly and Diva, the donkeys, who joined us at the same time. They have lived together for a very long time, so it would be very unfair to break them up.
Spirit is Saffie’s mum, who also lives at Calvert Devon!
She is very friendly and loves to have gentle strokes on her super soft coat. She’s also quiet during a ride, looking after her riders in the arena and around the reservoir.
We’re learning lots about Spirit, but she’s settled into everyday life very well!
Dolly and Diva the Donkeys
Height 12hh • Brown Jenny’s Donkeys
Born 2010 and 2025 • Joined Calvert Devon in 2025
Dolly and Diva are mum and daughter!
They are best friends with Spirit, the horse who joined us in 2025, so when Spirit moved, they had to come!
Dolly and Diva are super friendly and settling in well. They still get a bit nervous as they are not used to having people fuss over them, but they are getting braver every day.
They love to ‘hee-haw’ when they see the stable team coming to collect them from the field and when they hear the lunch wheelbarrow.
Diva loves having her bottom scratched and pokes it out the door hole so she can get better scratches.
Dolly seems to love the flooring in the indoor arena, and will roll around in it to have fun.
Why sponsor?
If you believe in accessible riding for all and would like to help care for the ponies, please consider sponsoring.
By sponsoring a pony, you can directly support our work and make all of the above (and so much more) possible!
With your support, the equine friends, staff, and volunteers at Calvert Devon can help children ride for the first time, offer adults the chance to overcome their fear of horses, increase personal growth and learning through riding, and allow people in wheelchairs to take the reins to drive a horse and carriage.
Each animal costs nearly £8,000 annually to ensure they receive the best care and attention.
If you are as passionate as we are about bringing people with disabilities and horses together, please set up a sponsorship today.
How your sponsorship helps…
Feed
A big 80kg bale of hay costs us £30. Rodney will eat an average of 10kg per day depending on the time of year.
We also use two bags of hard feed (special food) per month, each costing £14.
Tack and rugs
A set of tacks—saddles and bridles—for our ponies and horses can cost £400 to £500 each.
Checking and refurbishing our saddles annually costs £20 per saddle. Purchasing a new rug costs us around £50 to £60 each.
Farrier
Every 8 weeks, we pay £49 per horse to have their feet checked and treated.
Worming
Every year we deworm our equine friends for £32 each.
Vaccinations
They are vaccinated every 2 years at an average cost of £15 each.
Upkeep of the carriage
Our carriage is very important and we can easily spend around £130 per year on maintenance.
Dentistry
We need to have their teeth checked on an annual basis at a cost of £60 per set of gnashers.
Physiotherapy
It is of great importance that we have all our equine friends’ backs checked regularly; £60 for each animal.
Vet callout charge
Should we need to call out a vet in an emergency, there would be a call-out charge of £45 before any treatment, or if out of hours this charge is £65.
Memberships
It is crucial for us to keep up with our memberships to accredited bodies. These include BHS at £380 per year and RDA at £190 per year.
Annual licences and insurance
We pay £260 per year to keep our licences up to date. We also have to insure our ponies/horses annually under the overall Charity umbrella.
Maintenance costs
With £8,000 a year energy bills, £7,000 a year field maintenance and £70 a year in accessible hoist maintenance, this is a hefty sum!
GIFT AID
Remember to apply Gift Aid if you are a UK tax payer.
We will receive an extra 25p per pound you donate, at no extra cost to you.
