Mum hears patter of tiny hooves

She arrived unexectedly early- not believed to be due until mid April. Both mother and foal are doing well in a warm stable and were turned out to enjoy a spell of sunshine when staff photographer Louise Adams captured this scene.

Shandi is a nine-year-old bay cob type pony who came to the centre in May last year, owned by Janice Ranger, one of the centre's voluntary directors and on permanent loan to the centre.

"We did not know Shandi was pregnant when she arrived, though her main aim in life was to eat as much as possible. At first we thought sahe was a little overweight. After her pregnancy was confirmed ,she has been on leave from her work providing riding for disabled people from the community and will return to active duty at the end of the summer," said staff member Gay Baker.

Both Shandi and her foal are part of an Adopt a Horse scheme run by the centre, whereby members of the public pay a fee to adopt a horse for a year. Those in the scheme then receive a certificate, photorgaph and profile of the chosen horse and their name is put on the wall of the horse's stable.

The centre is now running a Name the Foal competition. Anyone with a suggested name should write it on a piece of paper, along with their name, address and telephone number and send or give it to a member of staff with 1 for each suggestion.

Money raised will go towards running costs of the stables, which play a vital part in the lives of many disabled riders. Entries can be sent to Ferring Country Centre, Rife Way, Ferring, Worthing, BN12 5LW.