Olympic Express, or Olly as he is fondly called in the yard, one of our much-loved and long-standing residents, was our Christmas poster boy and you responded magnificently, when we launched our appeal.  By New Year we had reached over half the sum we set to feed the horses this Winter.  But please do not stop donating: there are still three if not four months of cold, wet and windy weather with which to cope.  Please be generous and help us reach our target.

We really know Winter is upon us now, especially Olly, and his friends who make up the Hong Kong Three at Brewham Lodge Stables.  They raced in sunnier climes and at this time of year in Somerset, their aches and pains catch up with them, like many of our more senior residents.  Making sure they have the right food and supplements is essential to keeping them healthy and happy.

This Winter is special for us as the first since our Patron Jilly Cooper opened the Peter O’Sullevan High Dependency Unit for us.  The new facility is specifically aimed at enabling us to rehabilitate those former racehorses who need that extra time and care to prepare for a new career and to rehome for life.  This includes optimising their dietary requirements.

Love and TLC there is aplenty from the team of dedicated staff and wonderful volunteers, but that is not in itself enough.  We need to be able to feed all our horses properly to cope with the conditions they face: good quality hay, individually tailored rations, carrots, and even though Graham does not approve, those all-important Polos.

Feed alone will cost us £8,000 through the hardest three months of Winter: please, please help us reach this target.

Winter can be a tough time for horses, so if these wonderful animals have a place in your heart, please donate generously to help us look after the ex-racehorses in our care and make them special by ensuring they have the food and medication they need and deserve.