The Rosemary Kind Barn | The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

We are delivering a major capital development at our Coombe Park Sanctuary: The Rosemary Kind Barn, created in honour of our founder and her lifelong commitment to equine welfare.

This purpose-built high-intensity welfare unit has been designed to meet the most complex needs of vulnerable horses and ponies, while also supporting education, community engagement and therapeutic work for generations to come.

What the Rosemary Kind Barn Will Provide

Once complete, the Rosemary Kind Barn will:

Offer permanent, high-quality accommodation for horses with complex physical and behavioural needs
Increase our capacity to respond quickly to welfare emergencies and seasonal intake surges
Replace temporary and unsuitable structures lost due to land sale and site subsidence
Create dedicated spaces for education, training, and community engagement
Support therapeutic programmes for vulnerable children and adults working alongside our horses

This building will become the foundation for decades of care, learning and sanctuary — not only for our horses, but for the people whose lives they help transform.

Project Progress

Construction began in 2021, with Phase 1 — foundations, drainage, steel frame, roof and concrete base — completed in spring 2025.

As with many charities undertaking large-scale construction for the first time, the project presented significant challenges, including:

Unforeseen and complex ground conditions
National construction cost inflation
The need to strengthen project governance and delivery structures

Learning from these challenges, we have restructured our governance, leadership and project management to ensure successful delivery of the final phase.

Phase 2 construction recommenced in January 2026, led by experienced local contractor MW Benney Ltd, with completion scheduled for July 2026 and an official public launch planned for September 2026.

On completion, the Rosemary Kind Barn will be a permanent capital asset that significantly strengthens our long-term welfare resilience and emergency response capability.

Why Your Support Matters

This project is not simply about bricks and mortar. It is about ensuring rescued horses and ponies receive the highest possible standard of lifelong care, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Your support will help us to:

Provide safe, modern welfare facilities for horses with complex needs
Respond rapidly during welfare crises and winter pressure periods
Deliver education programmes for schools, professionals and volunteers
Expand therapeutic work with vulnerable children and adults
Secure the legacy of our founder and the future of our Sanctuary

Will you help us complete this vital new welfare and education facility for vulnerable horses and ponies in Devon?

Donate today

Opportunities to Support the Project

There are several remaining areas where philanthropic support can make a direct and measurable impact:

Internal stable sponsorship
Education classroom fit-out
Staff office and breakroom equipment
Tack rooms and barn equipment
Muck shoot construction
Soft landscaping (trees, hedges and wildflower planting)

Support can be directed toward a specific element or contributed to the overall build costs.

“This project will transform lives—supporting horses, enriching people, and protecting nature—while creating a lasting legacy to our founder, Rosemary Kind, who established The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in 1988. We are immensely grateful to those who have supported us so far and to anyone who may help us bring this vital new welfare and education facility to completion.”

Dawn Vincent, Director of Fundraising and Communications

If you would like to help, please contact Dawn at [email protected].

Thank you

Your support will play a meaningful role in completing a facility that protects vulnerable horses, supports our community, and strengthens equine welfare across the region for generations to come.

We are deeply grateful to our existing funders of this project, including:

The Pets Foundation – £90,000

The Ivo Trust – £50,000

Mandy Thornton Memorial Trust – £50,000

SEIB Giving – £7,000

Mrs D M France-Hayhurst Foundation – £5,000

Petplan Charitable Trust – £5,000

Important Note

We are raising funds specifically for the Rosemary Kind Barn at our Coombe Park Equestrian and Education Centre. If for any reason the project cannot progress, or if surplus funds remain, donations will be used to support the general activities of the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, including the rescue and care of our horses and ponies.

The Build Timeline

American Barn demolished (2020)

The Rosemary Kind Barn replaces the former ‘American Barn’, which was demolished due to site subsidence. The new facility will also accommodate horses and ponies following the closure of our South Manor Sanctuary in 2021.

Temporary stabling erected (2021)

Temporary stabling was installed to house 20 ponies relocated from South Manor while awaiting permanent accommodation in the new high-intensity welfare unit.