The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

Lifelong, life-changing, loving care and support

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

‘It was the worst case I’ve ever worked on’

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.

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

Crumpet and Emma

Crumpet

One of our Sanctuary at Home carers, Eleanor, rehomed Moorland pony, Crumpet, shortly after he arrived at the sanctuary in 2018.
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Daisy’s Story

Daisy joined our equine assisted learning programme to help with feelings of anxiety. Working alongside our equine assisted learning facilitators and our rescued horses and ponies can help to build a sense of connection for participants.
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Person grooming two ponies in a field

Eva’s story

“When I mentioned that I love horses, my support worker told me about The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s This Girl Can Exercise with Equines programme funded by Sport England. I struggle with anxiety and had become quite isolated. I wanted to try something different and coming to the sanctuary felt like it might be a good fit.”
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A malnourished Andalusian horse

Hugo and Gabriel

Hugo and Gabriel were found severely underweight and suffering with sores when we rescued them in June 2022. We were shocked to find these two magnificent Andalusian horses in this state.
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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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Man with pony near stable door

Richard’s story

It’s being with the equine partner that makes the sessions so impactful. After doing equine assisted wellbeing with The Mare and Foal Sanctuary I certainly understand, at a much deeper intrinsic level, the benefits of developing a bond with a horse.”
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Zahra in a field

Zahra

Zahra’s carer Lesley rehomed her just after the pandemic when we were able to restart rehoming. Lesley provides her with the best possible care and Zahra has become one of the family!
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Horse snuggling up to teddy bear

Ava

Our team worked round-the-clock to make sure Ava was safe and had everything she needed, including a teddy bear for company.
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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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Horse in field

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