THERE was plenty of horsing around at a care home in Stourport, when a four-legged friend called Rupert trotted along for a visit.

Following a visit to Ravenhurst Residential Care Home, in Lickhill Road North, last year, the 19 year old horse was back by popular demand.

Carla Siwicki, activities leader at the home, said the gentle horse, who has been specially trained by his owner Elaine Whalley of Be-Equine to visit care homes, was a huge hit with the residents.

One resident in particular who loved the visit was Farmer Jackson, who is 96 years old and was raised on his father’s farm.

Carla said: “I arranged all the chairs in a large circle and he went around and let every resident stroke him. He bent his head down to their cheeks so they could give him a kiss.

“Rupert was so gentle and our residents absolutely loved him. They said they wished he could come every day.

“Farmer literally followed Rupert wherever he went and it was wonderful to see the pleasure he got from being around him. It was lovely to hear him reminisce about when he looked after horses when he was younger.”

Resident, 85 year old Les Burford was also impressed with the four-legged visitor, and said it was such a lovely surprise.