Sanctuary News

Have you have ever wondered what goes on in an equine rescue sanctuary? Or perhaps you are keen to meet horses and ponies and learn about their incredible lives? Look no further than our upcoming open days. These special events are packed with inspiring demonstrations, fun family activities and refreshments. 

Art isn’t just for galleries. This summer, Devon’s art scene will get a unique addition when artist Kathy Nettles brings her extraordinary collection of 30 horse and pony paintings to The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s Coombe Park Education and Equestrian Centre near Totnes in Devon. The exhibition will be the final event in the charity’s 30th anniversary celebrations. 

Thousands of organisations across the country are getting together to give us all the chance to help out in our own local communities to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

In 2015 The Mare and Foal Sanctuary encountered a prolonged strangles outbreak. The outbreak lasted seven months, it had a profound effect on our ability to rescue horses and claimed the lives of four of our residents.

We are sad to share the news that a few days ago we lost one of our former adoption ponies, Arnie.

At the start of March, 20 vets attended a field castration training day hosted by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and held at the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT). Training was given by local British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) representatives who are all specialists in the care of semi-feral equines.

Recently Beth Orchard Mitchell, Team Leader from our Coombe Park sanctuary, attended the Horses Inside Out annual conference. This is a chance for professionals across all areas of the equine sector to meet and contribute ideas and best practice.

We’re pleased to announce that at the beginning of February the construction team arrived at our Coombe Park sanctuary to begin building our Rosemary Kind high intensity welfare unit. So named after our late founder, Rosemary Kind, who sadly passed away last year. This very special project will help us to make a difference to our rescued horses and ponies with the most complex health needs.

We recently hosted a training day in collaboration with World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA for RSPCA animal rescue officers. The day was a chance for animal rescue officers to get hands-on experience of welfare issues in horses and ponies and meet other animal welfare professionals.