Village has special visit from festive horses

Reindeers may be pulling Santa's sleigh but a village on the Norfolk and Suffolk border had different four-legged animals for its Christmas treat as a stable went on a walk with horses dressed in festive tinsel and Santa hats.

Diss Mercury: Shirley Bennewith with her horse called Charles and Jacqueline Hooper with her horse called Sydney. Picture: Marc Betts Shirley Bennewith with her horse called Charles and Jacqueline Hooper with her horse called Sydney. Picture: Marc Betts (Image: Archant)

Little Lodge Farm, in Santon Downham, looks after 45 horses on its site which is also home to Forest Lodge Holidays.

Owners of the horses came together with horses of all sizes and ages donning their best winter outfits to parade through the village with the hope of bringing some festive cheer.

More than 15 horses and riders braved freezing temperatures as they stopped at the Santon Downham Centre for traditional mince pies and mulled wine.

Horse owner, Derek Reeve, said: 'The day has gone really well, with the horses all behaving themselves.

Diss Mercury: Derek Reeve with his horse named Owl, the largest horse at Little Lodge Farm. Picture: Marc Betts Derek Reeve with his horse named Owl, the largest horse at Little Lodge Farm. Picture: Marc Betts (Image: Archant)

'We wanted to add some Christmas cheer and we all use the yard so we came out to socialise together.'

Diss Mercury: The horses were wearing Santa hats and merry Christmas saddle clothes. Picture: Marc Betts The horses were wearing Santa hats and merry Christmas saddle clothes. Picture: Marc Betts (Image: Archant)

Diss Mercury: The frosty festive ride from Little Lodge Farm to Santon Downham village. Picture: Jon Stone, Stepping Stone Photography The frosty festive ride from Little Lodge Farm to Santon Downham village. Picture: Jon Stone, Stepping Stone Photography (Image: Jon Stone, Stepping Stone Photography)

Diss Mercury: The festive ride from Little Lodge Farm to Santon Downham village. Picture: Jon Stone, Stepping Stone Photography The festive ride from Little Lodge Farm to Santon Downham village. Picture: Jon Stone, Stepping Stone Photography (Image: Jon Stone, Stepping Stone Photography)