Martin Clunes is a man of many faces. In the nineties he behaved badly, in the noughties he became a grumpy doctor and over the last few years he has made a name for himself as an animal lover and documentary maker.
He also finds time to support a number of charities, including the British Horse Society and the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy (FCRT).
Martin’s latest documentary Martin Clunes: Riding Therapy is being shown exclusively on H&C. We caught up with the actor and animal lover to find out all about his love affair with horses – and H&C!
How did you first get into horses?
It started when my daughter Emily learnt to ride. If you’d said 10 years ago that I would be taking my young Clydesdales to hoof camp I’d have laughed! I rode for a bit as a teenager – but when we bought the farm and we got a pony for Emily, I thought ‘sod it’, and got a horse too. Things escalated and we now have 12!
There’s my Clydesdales, Ronnie and Bruce, then there’s my wife’s thoroughbred, Bea, her foal, a dressage horse, four miniature Shetlands and two rescue ponies.
What do you love about horses?
There’s something I love about a horse’s honesty, stoicism, size and reliability. Learning how to handle them has been a challenge given that I’m naturally a bit of a pushover when it comes to animals! It’s so much more than just taking them for a walk and feeding them, they become almost like children and are true family members.
Any plans to get any more?
Ronnie and Bruce are like two lovable, but uncontrollable teenagers, so I think we’ll stick with our lot at the moment!
What do you enjoy doing with your horses?
We use the horses on our farm in Dorset. There is a little bit of field that we might try and plough with them and then plant it with asparagus. I can hitch the boys up to a cart and we take feed and water out to the sheep, check fences, that sort of thing.
How often do you ride?
It depends on who I can talk into going riding with me! I love riding by myself, but really the more the merrier. It’s really good fun, so I try to fit in as much riding as I can around my filming schedules.
How did you get involved with the Fortune Centre?
I became an FCRT patron in 2013 – officially taking over the role in February 2014. The centre offers such an effective way for young people to develop life and work skills and a greater personal reliance. I really admire the work they do there.
How is FCRT helping young people?
The students there are amazing. Since being there they have developed life-skills like communicating, travelling independently, managing time and money, and making it possible to have a better understanding of numeracy and literacy for everyday life. The centre has had such a life-changing impact on all the students who attend, it’s truly amazing.
If you want to see how these young people learn through horsemanship, you can watch my documentary Martin Clunes: Riding Therapy on Horse & Country TV.
Do you watch Horse & Country TV?
It’s a great channel for people that are into horses and well, the countryside! When I’m not on location shooting I often have a cup of tea and watch some of the shows.
Martin Clunes: Riding Therapy premieres on Sky 253 at 9pm on Tuesday 28 March, or you can watch it online now by subscribing to H&C Play.