Horse fever spikes as families flock to Grafton’s Adams Acres

Worcester Mounted Police Officer Dave Rojas has done a lot from the back of his horse, Buster. He’s surveyed crowds, located missing kids, and generally kept the peace with the help of the gentle giant.

Saturday, he did something completely new: he introduced Buster to a duck named Popcorn.

Adams Acres opened its doors Saturday and welcomed in the public, giving families a close look at the Brigham Hill Road horse farm. As the occasional crows of a rooster broke the air, children clamored to ride horses, gently patted the equines’ velvet noses, and explored barns and farm equipment.

Owners Peter and Deb Adams were gratified to see so much interest in their 11-acre farm, which has expanded its barns and increased its focus on horses over the past few years.

“I deal with the dirt, the horses are Deb’s thing,” Peter quipped.

Indeed, while the sign on one building reads “Pete’s Barn,” another sign points to “Deb’s Way.” And she decidedly has had her way when it comes to the horses they own, most of which are rescued Standardbred and Thoroughbred race horses.

“It was my dream since I was a little girl, about 8,” Deb said. “I’d say I’ve been working on this for 35 years, minimum.”

The farm offers boarding for horses as well as riding lessons for children age 3 to adult. There are riding rings both inside a large barn and outside.

“It’s never too late to get on a horse,” Deb said.

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