A HORSE sanctuary, based in Tintagel, faces an uncertain future if it cannot find new grazing land for the 41 moorland horses and ponies in its care, following accusations of mistreatment.

Shires Holt Horse Sanctuary, run by Pip and Kerrie Lovelock, are hoping to raise £15,000 to help them find a new home for their horses and ponies. This follows the charity’s decision to leave its current premises at the Colquite Estate, Bodmin.

The estate has expressed its intentions to ‘register concerns’ regarding the charity’s ‘ability to provide adequately for the creatures in their care’.

A statement issued by the charity’s trustee, Pip Lovelock, explained the circumstances which lead to this decision. He said: “We are concerned that a number of allegations have been made about the welfare of our horses and ponies under our care.

“To that end I have contacted all the pertinent bodies including the National Equine Council, APHA and Redwings and through our vet we have alerted the RSPCA.

“Twenty-seven of our horses were assessed by World Horse Welfare after Christmas and were found to be in good condition.”

He said that in light of the allegations an assessment has been requested, by him, of all the horses in their care as soon as possible — this includes those at conservation grazing, under their care or those already rehomed.

Pip said he was ‘saddened’ by the events and stressed that he had ‘not received any complaints in writing’ prior.

However, now the charity must find a new home or it faces possible closure. Pip said: “Due to a change in circumstances we have to find additional grazing and a new home. Through a social media campaign we have raised over £2,700 in just a few days. We have been overwhelmed by the supportive comments made by our supporters and volunteers.”

As the Post went to press the charity’s campaign, via a ‘GoFundMe’ page, had reached £2,873.

During the turmoil Will Young stepped down as the charity’s patron, stating on social media that there were actions he was ‘not comfortable with’.

In response Pip wrote: “Our patron, Will Young, resigned today [January 25]. Kerrie and I want to say a massive thank you to Will for all his help and support who has been so helpful in raising the profile of horse and ponies that needed help, recently hosting a charity carol service for us.”

He said that the charity has ‘nothing to hide’, adding: “However, the sad fact is that the charity may not survive this so we have to protect the horses under our care. They are our priority.”

The Colquite Estate agreed that the horse’s welfare must come first but that their relationship with the charity has become ‘irrecoverable’.

In a statement on behalf of the estate, they said: “We care deeply about the plight of horses in need, which is why we originally opened our premises to the charity in good faith. Unfortunately in the year that the charity has used our premises, our land, our facilities and our relationship with Shires Holt have suffered adversely to the point that we feel it is irrecoverable.”

They confirm that it was the charity’s decision to leave their premises but they will be ‘registering our own concerns’ with the Charity Commission, World Horse Welfare, DEFRA and ‘other relevant organisations’.

A spokesperson for World Horse Welfare confirmed there were no concerns with regards to the animals’ welfare. They said: “World Horse Welfare field officer, Jeff Herrington, visited and assessed the 41 horses and ponies in the care of Shires Holt and can confirm that on the day of the visit (January 29) we were satisfied with their welfare and condition.”

To support Shires Holt Horse Sanctuary in finding a new premises visit their GoFundMe page here