We recently welcomed Lily to the farm – a retired rare Suffolk Punch brood mare

Meet the newest resident to the farm, a beautiful Suffolk punch – an English breed of draft horse. Lily is a 14 year old retired brood mare, who joined us this week from Easton Farm Park in Suffolk – where she was born and raised.

Lily arrived at Folly Farm on the weekend

Having arrived at the farm on the weekend, she has already settled in wonderfully – and certainly enjoys a fuss from her keepers. She’s come to us from another farm park attraction so is very friendly and is used to meeting an array of guests on a daily basis. We’re sure she’ll enjoy her retirement!

Lily seems very happy to be enjoying her retirement

The Suffolk punch is classed as a priority breed on the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) Watchlist, and is one of the oldest breeds of working horse. The hardy breed is always chestnut in colour and, although not quite as tall as other draught horses such as the shire horse, they are extremely stocky, strong, and known for being very hard working with a great temperament.

We’re extremely proud to be the first Welsh farm park to receive rare breed approval from the RBST – for efforts and contribution to conserving rare breeds of livestock.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Lily to the farm family. She’s been an absolute pleasure so far and is enjoying getting to know her new keepers and our guests in the barn. She certainly likes to tell you when she’s ready for her breakfast in the mornings! She’s had such an important job at her previous home in Easton Farm Park, having been a brood mare. Being a priority breed, it’s great to raise awareness of the plights facing these rare breeds – and although the Suffolk Punch population has continued to increase, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust considers their survival status as critical”. – Jane Hill, Farm Manager

The Suffolk punch breed was traditionally used for transporting artillery and carrying out heavy farm work – but with the modernisation of agricultural machinery over the years, the population declined and in 1966 there were only nine Suffolk foals registered. Wow! Numbers are slowly on the rise again – but it’s far more common to see the breed in heavy ridden horse classes these days, an area that is constantly growing.

We hope our guests enjoy meeting Lily and our other rare breeds at the farm this Easter holiday!