The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

Lifelong, life-changing, loving care and support

Our work

Welcome to The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

The place for people who want to make a difference to the lives of horses, ponies and foals. We’re unlocking a world of natural, wild beauty where ponies and people who were struggling can enjoy life again.

620

rescued horses and ponies currently in our care

Success stories
124

people attended equine assisted learning and activity sessions last year

Explore learning
52

horses and ponies rehomed in the last 12 months

Rehome a horse

Name our new arrivals

On Wednesday 8 November, we gave sanctuary to a beautiful Welsh moorland mare and her two-month-old filly foal after a multi-agency rescue. They are recovering well at our Beech Trees Veterinary and Welfare Centre but haven’t yet been given names.

Less than two weeks later on Monday 20 November, our welfare outreach and advice team led an operation to provide sanctuary to another moorland mare and colt foal from a complex situation in Devon involving 14 equines. The adorable Dartmoor colt, named “Chandler”, and his dam “Chandrani” seem to enjoy their new surroundings and are being given dedicated care at our peaceful welfare unit.

To celebrate our new arrivals, we’d love to invite you to suggest names for our Welsh filly foal and her mare. 

What We Do

Visit Our Sanctuary

Connect with our rescued horses and ponies, hear their stories and meet the knowledgeable grooms who care for them.
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Get Some Advice

We provide advice and support to horse owners or people who are thinking about getting a horse or pony. We also offer support to smaller equine welfare sanctuaries and other equine professionals.
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Support the Charity

We rely entirely on donations and legacy gifts to carry out our work. A donation today can help to sustain our ability to offer sanctuary for horses and ponies.
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Rehome a Horse

For every equine we rescue, we must also ensure they have lifelong care. Our carers who rehome through our Sanctuary at Home scheme are a group of very special people who help make this possible for over 400 horses and ponies today.

Success Stories

Arnie being unloaded out of trailer

Arnie and Marmite

Arnie was losing considerable weight and appeared dull. His companion Marmite was suffering with sweetitch and was covered in scabs under his fluffy coat.
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Diagelo and Megan Mayne

Diangelo

Diangelo and Mason’s dams had health problems when they arrived in foal at the Sanctuary in 2018.
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horse being ridden

Fidget

With specialist care provided by our expert grooms, Fidget made a speedy recovery and she soon went out on loan to one of our knowledgeable carers.
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Black horse eating some grass

Flo

Flo is a 20 year old, 11.3 hh, Dartmoor Hill Pony who arrived at the Sanctuary in 2003 and has now been in our care for 17 years.
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Horse with volunteer

Karma

Karma’s lovely nature soon made her an ideal candidate to join the Education team.
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White horse

Myrddin

Life could have been very different for Myrddin and the 14 other very young colts taken in from the Whispering Willows horse sanctuary.
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Mouse pony with two sanctuary workers

Mouse

Mouse had been through so much before he arrived at the Sanctuary: desperate conditions on the moors, a major round up and rescue mission and months spent at a holding centre.
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Razzle and Natasha Wright

Razzle and Shadow

Razzle and Shadow were among 26 horses taken from North Devon Equine Rescue in Barnstaple where they had been left to suffer in dirty stables and without enough food and water to stay healthy.
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Horse

Riley

Following another full veterinary assessment, dietary plan and essential dental work Riley has steadily gained weight. She is now much stronger and healthier.
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Two horses resting their head on each other

Wilma

When she first arrived at our Yelverton Sanctuary, Wilma was given the opportunity to live as naturally as possible to allow her time to get used to the new environment.
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Horse in field

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