We are a group of volunteers reaching out to you on behalf of 35 endangered Skyrian horses and 2 non-Skyrian rescues. Amanda Simpson and Stathis Katsarelias have dedicated the last 13 years of their lives and everything they have to conserving this ancient and rare breed on the island of Skyros in Greece. We have exciting plans to create a membership association in the near future in order to support them long term, but right now resources are drying up and they are in desperate need of your help to continue to provide a home for these special horses.

It takes at least 66 tonnes of hay per year, imported from mainland Greece, to feed the 35 Skyrians plus two other rescued horses. Other equipment and veterinary treatments that we take for granted in more developed countries – such as electric fencing, energisers, tetanus vaccinations, wormers, rugs, fly masks etc. – are very expensive and often difficult to access quickly. Amanda and Stathis also improve the welfare of other Skyrian horses on the island by being available for nursing support, worming as many of them as they can, educating local people, and in some instances rescuing or feeding emaciated horses. They also care for 2 rescue dogs (one found hanging from a tree, left to die) and 16 feral rescue cats.

However, it is not just animals who find sanctuary at the farm. Volunteers who engage with the project find something they need here: personal development, a safe space, a break from modern society, an adventure, another family, a home away from home. The space fosters continuous learning through creativity and encourages people to connect with horses in an ethical and thoughtful way. Working on the farm allows people to experience life authentically as they observe the natural cycles of health and sickness, life and death, success and failure, hope and fear. It is a constant struggle with new challenges every day, but that’s what makes you feel alive.

What’s more, the latest scientific research is showing how selective breeding over hundreds of years has changed the anatomy of modern breeds and is possibly causing a number of physical problems in horses. Scientists are now dissecting and researching primitive breeds, such as the Konik and the Przewalski's horse, that appear to have no skeletal/anatomical issues. The hope is that, with the results of this research, it will be possible to breed specifically to correct the anatomical failures in the modern sports horse. Therefore, conserving primitive breeds like the Skyrian horse is potentially crucial for the future of all our horses. (If interested, further information can be found here: https://www.equinestudies.nl/category/blogs/)

The project relies entirely on donations and unpaid volunteers. We are raising £7000 to:

- purchase 2 lorries of hay and a small lorry of oat straw (1100 bales x approx. £5 per bale)

- purchase essential veterinary supplies such as colic medicine, anti-parasite control, veteran feeds and supplements for old horses, mineral blocks, fly sprays etc.

- carry out essential maintenance on fences and field shelters which will ensure that stallions and mares are safely separated and protected

- purchase good quality rugs for the older horses, to protect them with winter on its way.

Each donation supports the Skyrian horses in Amanda and Stathis’ care to continue to thrive at the farm and preserves this special place for future volunteers. The project hasn’t had injection of capital since 2015 and consequently we have had very little money to spend on site maintenance. Therefore, any amount raised over our £7000 target will be set aside as extra funds towards further repairs and essential maintenance of the farm.

Every person who donates will receive a thank you message via JustGiving and also a thank you on our Facebook page, Friends of the Skyrian Horse.

Like our page (https://www.facebook.com/friendsoftheskyrianhorse/) to keep updated about life on the farm and our progress towards becoming a membership association. Send us a message via the page if you would like us to contact you when we are all set up!

Every donation counts, big or small. If all our friends bought a bale of hay instead of a coffee on their way to work or a pint at the pub, together we’d be at least halfway or perhaps even all the way there…

For further information about the project please visit: https://skyrosislandhorsetrust.com/

(Copyright of Friends of the Skyrian Horse and Skyros Island Horse Trust 2018)