Published in the Henley Standard, 19/07/10

With only 160 registered breeding mares left in Britain, the birth of Chalkhouse Teasel should help increase numbers of the rare horse species.

The foal and her mother Daisy will be one of the main attractions when the gardens and traditional farmstead, situated between Emmer Green and Kidmore End, open from 2pm to 6pm. There will also be cream teas, a trailer ride and rare breeds, including a herd of British White cattle, as well as Berkshire pigs, hens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

There will also be British heavy horses giving demonstrations of low-impact forestry.

Visitors will be able to have a swim in the farm’s covered pool and have a ride on two new residents, donkeys Monty and Magic. Admission is £3 but children, wheelchair-users and carers go free. All the money raised is in aid of the National Garden Yellow Book Scheme and Soundabout, which helps provide music as an opportunity for communication and learning for children with profound disabilities, including pupils at Bishopswood Special School in Sonning Common.