Horsebox crowdfunding campaign sets sights on the finish line thanks to generous supporters

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, based near Totnes, is in sight of being able to fund reliable transport for picking up neglected horses. 

The equine welfare charity has been overwhelmed by the generosity of crowd-funding supporters helping to raise essential funds to rescue ponies and horses in danger.

The charity is in constant need of reliable transport. These severely neglected colts in a very poor condition were among 15 rescued by the Sanctuary as part of a multi-agency operation - credit Mare and Foal Sanctuary 

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary needs 35 thousand pounds to buy a reliable horsebox able to transport horses who’ve been abused, neglected or abandoned.

The charity launched its ambitious Horsebox Crowdfunder last month and supporters have already donated more than half of the total needed. Online supporters have pledged almost £9,000 in the digital appeal and the Crowdfunder has also been directly awarded two large sums by two major donors who wish to remain anonymous. £10,000 pounds were presented by a major fund-giver and another £2,000 was generously offered by another supporter.

The Sanctuary hopes that with a little more support to raise the remaining £14,000, the horsebox can hit the road quickly to help more equines in desperate need.

The Sanctuary's current horsebox is becoming costly to run and increasingly unreliable - credit Mare and Foal Sanctuary

The Sanctuary rescues and relocates horses and ponies across the Westcountry.

Sally Burton, Head of Sanctuary Care says: "The charity’s current horsebox has served us well but has a few too many miles on the clock and doesn’t always start when we need it to. It’s becoming very costly to run and increasingly unreliable. While the horsebox design is ideal for our horses and ponies, the vehicle itself is showing signs of significant wear and tear, being 11-years-old with a mileage of more than 111,000.  

"We are now footing the bill for major and minor repairs on a regular basis and in the last 24 months have spent £6,389.60.  

"The new horsebox will make a huge difference. It’ll give us peace of mind when travelling to the furthest corners of the Southwest on rescues and provide smooth transitions of rescued horses between our four sanctuary sites, or for veterinary treatment as needed."

Dawn Vincent, Director of Fundraising and Communications says: "We can’t thank our amazing supporters enough for their incredible generosity so far. We know these are difficult financial times for many people, so to have more than half of our target donated within a month is overwhelming. Everyone at the Sanctuary is beyond grateful and now we hope we can get our new horsebox past the post by raising the remaining funding we need.

"The horsebox is essential to us as an equine welfare charity to rescue and relocate large animals. Without reliable equine transport we simple can’t operate. It would mean so much for us to be able to raise the money needed through the Crowdfunder, rather than diverting funds from our other priorities as a Sanctuary."

Saving the lives of horses and ponies is at the heart of the fundraising campaign and the charity has been rescuing hundreds of equines in desperate need for more than 30 years. Shetland pony Lola was starving when she was rescued alongside 17 equines from an unlicensed organisation known as Family Nest Therapy.

The Sanctuary’s Welfare Outreach and Advice team escalated the case to the RSPCA and took part in a multi-agency rescue over two days in summer 2022. This resulted in 13 horses and ponies in exceptionally poor condition coming into The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s care. Transport was a major aspect of this welfare operation, and the charity needed reliable transport to remove the equines to safety.

Shetland Lola was starving and covered in paint from children's parties when she was rescued with 17 others as part of a multi-agency operation. Transport for all of the equines involved was crucial - credit Mare and Foal Sanctuary 

Lola needed more than a year of intensive care and rehabilitation. She is now living in a wonderful new home with with one of the Sanctuary's experienced carers.

Generous supporters have already donated more than half of the £35,000 needed to buy a new horsebox to help rescue and relocate horses and ponies.

Members of the public can see the current horsebox and learn more about the work of the Mare and Foal Sanctuary at its Summer Fete on 25th August at Coombe Park Equestrian and Education Centre at Totnes. More information here www.southhams.com/events/south-hams-august-events/mare-and-foal-sanctuary-summer-fete