We seriously need help right now!

With access problems and other issues, we may have to move from Rye. If it comes to that, we are not sure whether Donny would actually survive the move! So we need advice to resolve these issues. We also need to fix the horsebox, that has been standing so long due to access problems, that it has seized and rotted in parts! SO PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!

The ponies at Undercliff are all rescues, 3 in Rye (Donny the donkey, Ted the Pony and Tommy the mule) and 8 near Robertsbridge (Seamus, Drum, Hercules, Freddie, and Marvin - all who you may remember from Rye , Spirit, a yearling, Obi, the grand-daddy of the herd at 27 y/o) and Teddy, our latest addition.

We started taking in more rescues after we rescued Dukey. Dukey was dumped in North London and was due to be shot on the Sunday. We collected him on Saturday and were disgusted at the emaciated state he was in. Over the following 4 months, we nurtured him back to his proper weight, with close guidance from the vet.

Unfortunately, before he came to us, he had been allowed to graze on a toxic plant called ragwort. He started showing signs of illness and the vet was called. Within a couple of days he was diagnosed with liver failure, and we had to have the poor little fella put to sleep.

It was devastating, after all the work we had put in to get his weight back on, but it was the right thing to do. And at least he had 4 months on love, care and friendship from the other ponies.

We have, until recently, funded the rescues from our own pockets, including hay, feeds, bedding, vet bills and farrier bills. Plus we have purchased the materials and constructed stables. This was all done with with our own funds and hard work, and not helped by a break-in last summer, when we had EVERYTHING stolen, including even the special food that Duke required and all of our electric fencing and the power energiser, rugs, head collars. EVERYTHING!!

Examples of what we have funded ourselves until now include:

Hay - £30 per round bale that lasts 3-4 days

Straw - £20 per round bale that lasts about a week

Chaff - £10 per bag that lasts about a week

Sugar Beet - about £10 per bag that lasts about a week

Wheat Bran - about £10 per bag that lasts about a week

Farrier - £25 per horse every 6 weeks

Vet - at least £150 per visit

We would welcome any donations to continue and expand our work!