Pictures: Rescued ponies witness rare Northern Lights above Devon sanctuary

A rare display of the Northern Lights was seen above rescued horses and ponies at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in Devon earlier this week.

Aurora Borealis was visible from the charity’s Coombe Park Sanctuary near Totnes on Monday (19 January) night. 

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The lights appeared in the sky between around 10.30pm and 11.30pm and were captured in photographs taken from the sanctuary’s fields.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary cares for rescued and vulnerable horses and ponies across several sites in the South West. 

Staff at the Coombe Park site were able to photograph the display as it lit up the night sky above the grazing animals.

Pippa Quelch, PR and Campaigns Manager at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, said the sight was unusual and memorable.

“It was a very special and rare moment to witness the Northern Lights above the sanctuary,” she said. 

“Our team were delighted to see and record such an extraordinary natural event in such a peaceful setting.”

The charity said the sighting was particularly meaningful because of its strong focus on protecting the natural environment alongside caring for animals. 

Team members described the event as a rare opportunity to see the phenomenon from rural South Devon.

Among the ponies present was miniature Shetland pony Sir Didymus, who was experiencing the Northern Lights for the first time.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary looks after almost 600 horses and ponies and has sanctuary sites in Totnes, Newton Abbot, Yelverton and Holsworthy.

More images and a short video of the Northern Lights display have been shared by the charity.