SHIRES Holt Horse Sanctuary in Tintagel is appealing for donations in order to feed rescue horses and ponies throughout the winter.

Due to poor weather conditions over 2018, the production of hay and haylage is at an all time low, according to the sanctuary, which has seen significant price increases. The sanctuary, founded by Pip and Kerrie Lovelock, survives purely on donations — and the pair are now appealing to anyone who may be able to contribute a small sum of money to their winter feed appeal, in the hope that the 40 horses and ponies in their immediate care will be fed through the winter.

Pip has worked with horses for more than 40 years. He told the Post: “We survive purely on donations. Everything goes directly to the horses and ponies in our care.

“There have been many examples of the animals we have helped. For example, we had a gentleman who had two heart attacks. He had two shires, one of which had cancer. He wanted to know that, should they die, the other shire would be taken care of, and also provided with a new companion. For him, this was a huge anxiety — he had had them for 20 years and it had a huge impact on his health.”

When an animal comes to Shires Holt, Pip and Kerrie undergo an evaluation of each horse or pony, care for them and in some cases also look to rehome them.

However, Pip said: “Three quarters of horses aren’t suitable for rehoming, and this is usually due to whatever they have experienced in their lives before they come to us. We are very active on conservation grazing due to environmental issues. This initiative is in conjunction with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and also private land owners — but it doesn’t go with the nitty gritty of a harsh winter.

“We did look to grow our own, but we had a very difficult summer — a lovely one too, but also a difficult one as it went on. When we hit the middle of summer, we lost a third of our winter feed and now the price of this is sitting very high. Farmers have already started feeding, so now we’re at a pushed price.”

Pip said the price of one large bale of hay, which weighs approximately half a ton, now costs between £35 and £45. “This feeds about 30 ponies for the day. We have 40 to 50 horses and ponies in our immediate care. It costs £1 to feed one pony a day.

“From a conservation grazing point of view, this is prime agriculture land. Moorland grazing grows later and doesn’t come on until May or June, so we have five months of supplementary feeding.”

With £2,800 to source in order to feed their horses and ponies, Shires Holt are appealing for everyone to contribute whatever they can over the next few weeks, and often hold fundraising events, including coffee mornings, bingo and quiz nights. They will be hosting a racing night in mid to late January, as well as a dog walking event at Bude Canal early in the year too.

Having raised just over £1,000 of their winter appeal so far, Pip said there is no easy way of asking people for money, but that there are huge benefits when it comes to helping a charity such as theirs.

“It really is a wonderful thing if people can donate so much,” Pip continued. “Even £1 can feed one pony. But I also believe there is a bigger message that can be offered through this.

“I have worked with shires for around 40 years, and during my time working with ferrel ponies, I have learnt that even horses that have been horrendously treated, even the ones who have been physically abused — if they are given time, kindness and respect, they will want to re-engage with people.

“Horses have had a symbolic relationship with mankind for thousands of years, and it has been proven that spending time with them can improve mental wellbeing. There really is a lack of respect for some creatures in the world, and the symbolic relationship between horse and mankind is seen through our volunteers who come in and help us, the people that come have normally had a bit of a bad time.

“We don’t tell them, but they just come and they are given a feeling of wellbeing and are able to resettle their natural balances. When people are involved in what we’re doing, it does help the natural balances.”

To donate to Shires Holt’s winter feed appeal, go to uk.gofundme.com/pony-urgent-winter-feed-appeal