Miniature piglet racing a hit!
Image - www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
The introduction of miniature piglet racing at Pennywell Farm in Devon has proven to be a spectacular hit, and the inaugural race (held after months of training) saw 9 month-old Red Runt successfully negotiate the trials of Bacon Brook and the Trough to beat fellow miniature piglets Silk Purse, Pigarkel and Celestial Swine to first place.
Farmers Chris and Nicky Murray ran through a breeding programme spanning nine years and 24 generations to establish the Pennywell Miniature Pigs breed, which have been bred for small size and friendliness to the point where they are approximately one-fifth the size of a conventional piglet. The smallest pig bred thus far was named Tetley after it was discovered that he could fit into a teacup, although the average piglet only weighs in at 250g (8oz) at birth.
"The pigs have been hamming it up, the visitors have been all out in supporting them and it's odds on we have a classic activity in the making." said Mr Murray, who has been farming at Pennywell since 1988. The Pennywell 'Ham Stakes' will run daily at 2pm, and more information about the farm's opening times is available here.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
