About the Trust

The Suffolk Punch Trust Limited (Company Limited by Guarantee) was set up in 2002 to take the Colony Stud at HM Hollesley Prison into private charitable ownership. The Trust’s primary aims are to expand the Suffolk Punch breed, make the horses more accessible to the general public, continue the therapeutic, rehabilitation and training programmes for prison inmates, undertake conservation and heritage education for all age groups and the socially excluded and to encourage eco-tourism.

Trust Objectives

to expand the work of the Colony Stud as a breeding centre of excellence for the Suffolk Punch Horse.
to improve the facilities so that more horses can be kept at the Stud.
to work with the Suffolk Horse Society and horse owners to safeguard the genetics of the breed.
to continue to provide work opportunities and rehabilitation benefits for prison inmates through working with horses, on-site employment and other rural craft skills education.
to provide the public (all age groups) with environmental, conservation and heritage education in association with other conservation bodies, academia, museums and related operations.
to create an educational heritage centre which will relate the history of the Suffolk Punch to the history of agriculture in East Anglia, East Anglian history generally and demonstrate the link between past and present day practices.
to operate a visitor attraction which will allow the public to see the horses and other rare Suffolk breeds (e.g. Suffolk sheep, Red Poll cattle and the Large Black Pig) and take advantage of the educational facilities available.
to support the regional economy by providing jobs and enhancing eco-tourism.

The Suffolk Punch Trust has purchased approximately 200 acres of land at Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk, from HM Prison Service, together with the existing Stud buildings, the horses, all their equipment and some rights of access to local environmental trails.