HORSE lovers can enjoy a parade of stunning, famous racehorses and at the same time help to raise funds for a charity that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes ex-racehorses.

Greatwood is opening its doors to the public on Sunday (September 2), and as well as the parade, there will be riding demonstrations and lots more to see and do for all the family.

The centre's flagship horse, Deano's Beeno, will be strutting his stuff - something he loves to do!

In a career spanning 11 years, Deano's had an excellent hurdles record of 11 wins - one of which was in Ascot's Grade 1 Cantor Sport Long Walk Hurdle.

A fast and fluent jumper, he was one of racing's top staying hurdlers and was trained by Martin Pipe.

However, one day at Cheltenham he decided enough was enough and even the great AP McCoy could not get him to move.

Needless to say, neither could we! But Deano is enjoying his retirement and still loves parading.

Other successful Greatwood horses, such as Agitando, is being brought back by his carer for a demonstration of his new-found career - dressage!

There will also be a birds of prey display, remedial farriery and equine dentistry demonstrations, and lots more.

Greatwood is renowned for its rescue work. A significant number of racehorses end up in inexperienced hands following their retirement from racing - the beginning of a downward spiral.

Greatwood is their safety net.

After a period of rehabilitation, each horse is carefully retrained and then, hopefully, a new home found.

Greatwood retains ownership of every horse, which goes to its new home on a permanent loan', and it undertakes regular welfare checks throughout the horse's life.

But for those who can never be re-homed through temperament or injury, Greatwood has created a whole new purpose - as therapy horses within the Horse Power programme. Horse Power is unique and sets out to develop and improve life skills for children with special needs such as autism by means of interaction with the horses.

The open day, kindly sponsored by the online betting guide, Invendium Ltd, begins at 10am for Friends of Greatwood and 11am for the general public.

The horse parade is at 12.30pm and the yard closes at 3.30pm in order to settle the horses for the evening.

Greatwood is situated on the A345 between Marlborough and Pewsey - just about three miles from Marlborough.

Entrance is £5 per person for non- members but under 12s are free. For enquiries, call 01672 514535.