Work begins on our new Rosemary Kind High Intensity Welfare Unit
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.
Following the demolition of the American barn at Coombe Park due to subsidence, our equine residents who need extra care, have been in temporary stabling. Once the new high intensity welfare unit is complete it will provide a lifelong sanctuary to those horses and ponies whose health means they cannot easily be rehomed.
One of these ponies is Sonnet, who arrived at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in 2012 as part of a prosecution case. She was emaciated and suffering with dental issues. Thanks to the loving care of our knowledgeable staff and support from expert vets and equine dentists, Sonnet recovered well. But her dental issues and the development of Cushing’s disease meant we decided to keep her in our peaceful sanctuaries for the rest of her life.
The new unit will provide a safe space for 25 equines, including Sonnet, and will include a mixture of stables and larger crew barns. Crew barns are important as they let us house small groups of horses and ponies together which allows them to express natural behaviours. Stables will also have direct access to fields which means our residents with hoof concerns won’t have to walk on hard terrain.
We’re hopeful that the horses and ponies will be able to move into the barn before next winter. The Rosemary Kind high intensity welfare unit will provide better protection from the elements during the colder months. Mare and Foal Sanctuary Team Leader, Harriet Palk, said: “We’re so pleased that work has begun. For our equines who aren’t able to be rehomed, it will provide a place of comfort, where all their needs can be met.”
Construction is set to cost around £600,000 and wouldn’t be possible without the generous supporters and organisations who have donated money to help with costs. It’s thanks to you that we’re able to create a safe place for our most vulnerable equines.
Thank you for supporting the project
We are incredibly grateful to the following donors who have donated so generously towards the project:
The Pets at Home 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
