We are two dedicated volunteers at Skyros Island Horse Trust— Katie (based in the UK) and Hebe (currently volunteering at the project in lockdown Skyros, Greece) — reaching out to you on behalf of 34 endangered Skyrian small horses and 2 non-Skyrian rescue horses. For the last 15 years, Amanda Simpson and Stathis Katsarelias have been, and continue to be, devoted to helping the unique Skyrian horse - a species identified by the European Union as critically endangered.

In addition to conservation, the project also cares for many elderly and at-risk horses ( approx. ¼ of the population at the farm). Although the project’s primary focus is the Skyrian small horses, the farm has become a sanctuary for many other rescue animals including a goat, a sheep, 11 cats and 2 rescue dogs. Becoming an ark was not the initial intention, but inevitably this welfare work became part of the project’s activities to meet the needs of neglected animals in our local environment.

It’s been a challenging, turbulent, and grey year for many people across the globe. For animal conservation and welfare projects, the challenges have been many. The loss of visitor income in conjunction with health and safety concerns caused by the pandemic, have had a severe impact on our mission’s financial stability.

Amanda and Stathis were concerned from the start of the pandemic about continued access to hay deliveries. Good planning and a small state grant enabled them to buy as much hay as they could store in May. This hay is still being fed and should last until late December, BUT this leaves a desperate need for funds to secure feed for mid to late winter and the early spring months.

Great things come about through a series of small acts of kindness. That’s how we see our work at the project, and how we see our annual crowd funder. Over the last few years, we have asked for your help, and it has had an enormous impact. Our supporters come together from all corners of the earth to share a symbol of hope: conserving this endangered breed.

Recently we achieved our Greek registered non-profit status and renewed our commitment to our conservation, welfare, and education goals. Our haven exists because it is crucial for the horses’ survival and maintaining the breed standard. There is no “wild” option for them due to overgrazing and a lack of management of the equine population - including donkeys, mules, non Skyrian horses- on the Mountain, a common grazing area in the south of the island. Without projects like ours and your support, the critically endangered Skyrian horse with its fascinating history and unique genetic traits would move ever closer to extinction.

We are aware that this is a challenging time economically for all. Therefore we are only asking for help towards covering the absolute basic necessities of hay and essential medical supplies for the horses in our care.

We need to raise £5000

· 1 lorry of hay (500 bales of good quality hay, already ordered) – £2600

· 350 bales of oaten hay (locally produced and delivered monthly) –£1750 pounds

· Essential vet supplies replenishment – £250

· Wormer (15 tubes) – £200

· Specialist feed and supplements for our old ladies – £200

This is what we need urgently. But in reality just like every other conservation and welfare project, we are always in need of funds. Any funds we raise above our target will be well used and put towards: the upkeep of the farm’s structures, barn roofs, shelter walls, broken fences; mending and replacing of tools, equipment; feeding the many feral cats who appear on our doorstep; further improving the horses’ living conditions; and continuing our very conservative selective breeding to safeguard the Skyrians’ future. If you would like to help us directly then please do get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you!

Thank you. Your continued help is deeply appreciated!

Every person who donates will receive a Thank You message via JustGiving and on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We hope that the stories we tell on social media bring you joy and in this way we give something back to you, as a means of showing our appreciation of your generosity and engagement with the project.

To keep updated about life on the farm:

- Like us on Facebook at Friends of the Skyrian Horse

- Follow us on Instagram @friendsoftheskyrianhorse

To find out more about our us:

- Visit our website @ skyrosislandhorsetrust.com

- Check out this article in Christian Science Monitor written by former volunteer Becky Holladay: "To save rare ponies, one couple gives up almost everything"

- Check out this film, "Of Gods and Kings", from Horsefly Films Rare Equine Trust

- The video below was made in 2018 and features some of the project's past volunteers sharing their experiences of the farm in Skyros:

In the words of a past volunteer, “the project is a truly magical place run by people with hearts of gold.”