The Goats Have Landed! 🐐

East View Riding Centre | Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

There are mornings at East View that you know are going to be a little bit different. An 8:30am start, a horse trailer about to carry something decidedly not a horse, and three very important new residents about to make the journey from the classroom to the countryside.

Today was goat day.

Our three Pygmy goats have officially left their old home at Brighton College Prep Handcross, and we cannot thank them enough. A huge nod to Chris Christian, who was brilliantly hands-on at the school end to help us load up and get the little trio safely on their way — goat wrangling is a skill not listed on many CVs, but it should be.

Brighton College Prep will understandably be sad to see them go. These three have clearly been very loved, and we felt that. They arrive at EVRC not as cast-offs, but as characters — with personalities, quirks, and opinions, as Pygmy goats always do.

A name worth keeping

First things first — we’re bringing back their original names. As babies, these three were christened Lightning, Thunder and Storm, and honestly, it’s too good to leave behind. It suits them. It suits a yard on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. Consider the names reinstated.

The journey down

We’re pleased to say the transportation couldn’t have gone smoother. Lightning, Thunder and Storm loaded like old hands — and unloaded exactly the same way. No drama, no chaos, no escapees. For anyone who’s ever tried to move a goat that didn’t want to be moved, you’ll know that’s not something to take for granted. Credit where it’s due — these three were brilliant.

Their new kingdom awaits

The enclosure has been a proper build. We’re talking a 6ft high perimeter fence with heavy duty stock wire — because if you’ve ever met a Pygmy goat, you’ll know they treat anything shorter as a mild suggestion. Inside, they’ve got things to climb, explore, and generally cause mischief with. A proper shelter gives them somewhere to retreat when East Sussex weather does what East Sussex weather does, and a new field gate marks the entrance to their domain with a sign that reads:

“Close the gate, or catch the goats.”

It’s less a warning and more a promise.

As the day went on, we made a few adjustments — nothing major, just the natural process of seeing how three new personalities interact with a new space and making sure everything was exactly right for them. That’s the job, and we were happy to do it.

Settling in

Here’s the thing nobody warned us about: they’re quiet. Remarkably so. We were braced for noise, for protest, for three very vocal Pygmy goats letting the whole of East Sussex know their feelings. Instead — calm. Settled. Content.

It’s early days, but all the signs are good. Lightning, Thunder and Storm are safe, happy, and very much at home on the edge of the Ashdown Forest.

We’ll be sharing updates as they find their feet — all twelve of them. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the ongoing adventures.

Welcome home, you three. ⚡🌩️🌪️

East View Riding Centre has been riding onto the Ashdown Forest since 1974. Book a ride or get in touch to find out more about life at EVRC.