Sanctuary News

Some big news! We’ve just discovered that the beautiful Welsh moorland mare we rescued before Christmas was carrying a very special gift all this time.

The first equine rescue training session using ‘Max’ our crowdfunded horse mannequin has taken place. 

It’s a landmark year for The Mare and Foal Sanctuary. This month we received our accreditation to The Living Wage Foundation, a movement of businesses, organisations and people ensuring that everyone can earn a wage that meets their everyday needs. 

A special equine training clinic, hosted at our Beech Trees site in Newton Abbot, has given professional vets from all over the UK a unique opportunity to learn valuable field surgery and anaesthesia skills on semi-feral ponies. 

We would like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful supporters for helping us to buy new life-saving equipment which will benefit staff, visitors, and local people. 

Sarah Jane Williamson has decided to step down as Chief Executive of The Mare and Foal Sanctuary as of Tuesday 12th March. 

We’re hoping one of the most critically neglected ponies that we rescued in a shocking animal welfare case that appalled the presiding Judge, will soon find a loving new home.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary has been involved from the outset in a serious welfare neglect case at a Community Interest Company in Cornwall, after being contacted by a concerned member of the public in 2021. After monitoring the situation over several months, we escalated the case to the RSPCA, which decided to pursue a prosecution.

An overwhelming response to our first ever Crowdfunding campaign has enabled us to buy a vital and very unusual piece of lifesaving kit.