Helping horses and ponies in need is vital. Can we ask for your support this Christmas?

Many of the horses and ponies we look after require specialist high intensity care. Thats why we are here. We must sustain our vital work, despite the effects of the pandemic. This care is only made possible thanks to supporters like you.

Sweet natured Shetland pony, Megan, who featured in our recent Christmas Appeal, sadly had to be put to sleep in early December. She developed chronic foot problems brought on by equine Cushings disease and no further treatment from our expert vets could alleviate her condition. It was the kindest thing we could do for Megan. We always put the animal first, but it is still one of the hardest parts of our job.

Megan will be missed by us all. The grooms who cared for Megan are now celebrating her life with this short film that captures the amazing Miniature Shetland little Megan was.

Megan was one of many Miniature Shetland ponies we currently care for at our South Manor Sanctuary. She leaves behind her friends - Nonnie, Primrose and Wallace and many others - who are all receiving high intensity care too. They continue to need our expert care and love. Our work must go on, which is why your support is needed this Christmas.

We believe that horses and ponies are sentient beings that deserve the treatment and care they need to thrive. Thats why we are here. Thank you for supporting us in our important work.

A big move in 2021

Next year, we hope to move all the ponies from our South Manor Sanctuary to a new facility at our Coombe Park Sanctuary. This follows the difficult decision we have taken to sell South Manor due to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and the impact it has had on our charity.

Looking to the future

The horses and ponies will benefit from the move to Coombe Park as the environment is ideal for their needs. For example, the land has a more gentle gradient which older ponies with decreased mobility will find easier than steep areas.

In Spring 2021 we plan to create a specialist high intensity care unit with some crew barn areas. This will allow some of the ponies to be housed together instead of in individual stables, which promotes natural equine behaviour and allows mutual grooming and more interaction. Ponies with arthritis will have a larger area to move gently around in, which will help avoid stiffness. Nonnie, Primrose and Wallace will be able to be together as a mini-herd all the time.

The decision to sell our South Manor Sanctuary has not been taken lightly. We feel it is important to take action now to sustain our charity and continue our work into the future.

We need your help now more than ever. A donation from you today will make sure horses and ponies continue to receive the specialist care they need to thrive. Thank you.