Easter holiday fun comes to HAPPA with ponies, pups and family activities in Burnley

Families, horse lovers and dog owners across Burnley and Lancashire are being invited to make the most of the Easter holidays at HAPPA, with a packed programme of activities running from 28th March to 13th April.

HAPPA’s Shores Hey Farm in Briercliffe, BB10 3QU will have plenty to keep all family members occupied this half-term.

From pony experiences and family trails to dog sessions, dressage, tack shopping and café visits, HAPPA’s Easter line-up offers something for all ages, making it the perfect local day out during the school holidays.

One of the headline activities this Easter is HAPPA’s Golden Egg Trail, running throughout the holiday period from 28th March to 13th April. Young knights are encouraged to explore the site in search of hidden golden eggs and answer the questions they discover along the way using their knightly knowledge. Designed to add a little adventure to every visit, the trail gives families another reason to enjoy the outdoors and explore everything HAPPA has to offer.

Equestrians looking for a bargain can head to HAPPA on Saturday 28th March for the Yard Tack Sale, where visitors can browse second-hand tack and equestrian items at affordable prices. The Second-Hand Tack Shop will also open on 4th April from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, giving horse owners and riders another chance to pick up equine essentials while supporting the charity’s work.

For children who dream of spending the day with ponies, HAPPA’s much-loved Own a Pony Days return on 29th March and 1st April. Suitable for children aged 6 to 16, these hands-on days give young people the chance to care for a HAPPA pony, learn practical pony care skills, and gain valuable insight into what owning and caring for a pony is really like. There is also the exciting opportunity for each child to enjoy a ride on one of HAPPA’s School Master ponies. Sessions run from 10:00am until 3:00pm.

Families can also add an extra special experience to their visit with Pony Grooming sessions on 31st March and 7th April. Children and families can enjoy a 15-minute pony grooming session led by HAPPA’s qualified and experienced staff, learning how to groom a pony safely and correctly.

Young horse enthusiasts can continue the fun at Pony Squad on 11th April. Open to children with a HAPPA Pony Squad Membership, Pony Squad offers a fun, friendly and interactive environment where children of all experience levels can build confidence, develop their equine knowledge, make new friends and spend time with ponies.

Dog owners have something to look forward to as well, with Woof Shack returning on 5th April and now taking place on the first Sunday of every month. These affordable themed dog sessions are designed to help owners build confidence, improve canine behaviour and enjoy quality time with their dogs in a calm, supportive setting. This month’s session will focus on Parallel Play, a structured approach that helps dogs build positive associations with one another in a safe and gradual way.

For riders wanting to get out and compete this Easter, HAPPA’s Unaffiliated Dressage Competition takes place on 12th April. Open to all abilities, the competition is held in a friendly and supportive venue and includes both open and league classes, with competitors able to earn points towards the End-of-League Championship for the chance to win trophies, sashes and prizes.

Visitors can also make a full day of it by stopping at The HAPPA Café, which will be open throughout the holiday period, closed bank holidays. The café is open from 9:00am until 8:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 9:00am until 3:30pm for the rest of the week. Booking is advised during busy periods.

As a dog-friendly visitor attraction, HAPPA offers a welcoming day out for the whole family, including four-legged friends. Entry can be booked online or at Reception on the day and costs £6 per adult and £1 per child, with additional fees applying for selected activities.

Whether families are hunting for golden eggs, children are meeting ponies, riders are shopping for tack, or dog owners are joining a Woof Shack session, HAPPA’s Easter programme promises plenty of fresh air, fun and memorable moments this spring.

Further details and booking information can be found at happa.org.uk/events.