We urgently need help to raise an extra £9,700 this winter to feed our horses, ponies and donkeys.

This summer's hot, dry weather has affected grass growth and resulted in lower yields of hay and straw. With less available, prices have risen – just as we need to start building up our winter supplies.

At Raystede, 15 horses and ponies, and 7 donkeys rely on us every day for the food they need to stay healthy and well.

We already paying extra due to rising costs and this could potentially raise further!

We already need to find….

£2,000 extra for hay

£700 extra for straw

£7,000 for hard feed

We can’t let them go without – every pound will make a difference.

Dot's Story

Dot is pictured above with her best friend, Drew.

Dot has limited teeth and no incisors, which were previously removed because of a dental condition called EOTRH. This means she can only graze on longer grass.

But after the hot summer, the fields have become dry and there is very little grass available. As a result, Dot has lost weight and we have needed to provide her with supplementary feed.

Dot is also bedded on straw. Barley straw would normally make up a substantial part of a donkey's forage-based diet, but its price has already increased and shortages are expected as the season progresses.

For Dot, the combination of reduced grazing and rising forage prices means that providing the food she needs is becoming increasingly expensive.

Every donation, however small, will help us meet the rising cost of keeping animals fed and warm this winter:

£10 could help towards their hay, straw or hard feed.

£25 could help provide essential winter feed for an animal in our care.

£50 could make a real difference to our growing winter feed bill.

Whatever you can give will help us make sure donkeys, horses and ponies in our care don’t go without this winter.

Thank you.