THE Quality of Life Animal Sanctuary at Clawton recently rescued two horses from France which were due to be slaughtered for their meat in Italy.

The sanctuary is now asking readers to name one of the horses and is offering a life time's sponsorship as a prize.

Debbie De Ste Croix from the sanctuary explained that she received an email a couple of months ago from a friend asking if there was anything she could do to help a not-for-profit organisation called Equine Section which aimed to save as many ­horses as possible from France which were destined for the live meat trade in Europe, particularly Italy.

She was initially unsure and added: "There's so many horses over here that need saving."

However, Debbie received a second email asking if she would take a mare in foal which was due to go on the lorry for slaughter that week. She said: "As soon as I saw the picture I thought I've got to have her, I can't let that ­happen."

A campaign was launched to try and raise enough money to buy the horse from the French farmer. They were willing to pay the same as what the farmer would get at ­slaughter.

Debbie said: "It's heart breaking that these horses are going off to slaughter." She explained that French farmers were being paid more to have their horses slaughtered in Italy than in their own country and that the horses were often not fed or watered during the long journey.

One farmer had an ­abattoir two miles from his farm but chose to send his horses on a five day journey to Italy as he was paid more for their meat.

Debbie said: "French farmers have been doing this for all their lives. It's like us sending our pigs to slaughter. This is how the French view horses. We're a lot more sentimental.

"You can't knock the farmers, they're just trying to make a living."

Debbie would like to see higher prices offered for horse meat in France so that the animals are spared the long and painful ­journey to Italy.

Following the campaign Debbie managed to raise enough money to rescue two horses from France which arrived at Clawton on Saturday, February 14.

As well as six year old 'Fern', a trait mare, which is due to have a foal in the spring, a 15 year old 15hh Comtois Trait mare (a French breed of heavy horse) is also making ­herself at home at the ­sanctuary.

Debbie said: "It's like they've always been here. They're ever so sweet."

However, they have been unable to find a name for the Comtois mare that will stick. Debbie said: "The public donated the money to save her we thought it might be quite nice for them to name her."

Therefore, Debbie is asking for readers of the 'Post' to come up with a name. She would also like whoever enters to write a poem about the horse and explain the reason why they chose that particular name.

The entries will be judged by the Mayor of Holsworthy Cllr David Smith and Debbie is offering a life time's sponsorship of the horse as a prize. The winner will receive updates and photos of the horse and will be able to visit her at the sanctuary.

To take part in the competition, please send your entries to the Cornish and Devon Post Series, Tindle House, Westgate Street, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 7AL. Please include your full name, address and telephone number.

Finally, Debbie said: "Yes, we've saved two lives but the bigger picture is, there are hundreds of thousands of horses going on these journeys to Italy."

If anyone would like more information please visit http://www.equinesection">www.equinesection .com or visit the World Horse Welfare (formally the ILPH) website http://www.ilph.org/makeanoise">http://www.ilph.org/makeanoise and read about their 'Make a noise' campaign.

QOLAS offer sponsorship on all the animals for any amount people would like to donate as well as these two horses, to find out more visit their web site http://www.animal-sanctuary-devon.co.uk">www.animal-sanctuary-devon.co.uk