Our team of volunteers work hard to restore their faith in human beings and allow them to grow and flourish in our care while we try to ascertain, at their own pace, whether they can be  ridden or, due to physical, mental or age-related issues, need to remain here for the duration of their lives or can be re-homed purely as companion horses. During this process our horses all live outside 24/7 as one huge herd, it really is a rare sight to see so many horses as one group, just enjoying “being horses” as they would be in the wild.  It's fascinating to observe how the herd changes in terms of their natural hierarchy when a new horse is introduced.

The charity was started in 2002 by Caron Muir and Bob Regan on a 42-acre site on Ham Island, Old Windsor.  It started with Caron’s own horse, Raffles, who was soon joined by a rescued horse called Blue (who we are named after) and today we have 40+ rescues in our care. Caron has been around horses all her life and her love and knowledge of every aspect of their care is what enables the charity to exist today along with our small team of volunteers.  We also care for 3 goats, 2 pigs and 4 rescue dogs. 

 

We have a core team of four, comprising 3 Trustees and a Treasurer/Fundraiser with a wonderful support network of volunteers all of whom dedicate their time for free. We are always looking for new volunteers to help with any and every aspect of the operation and maintenance of the farm (handymen always needed); fund raising; grooming or even just spreading the word of what we do, you don't have to work at the farm to make a difference.

Funds are generated by public donations; public appeals; from events we hold; grants (rare for animal charities) and from a sponsorship programme where people can sponsor one or more of the horses and ponies from as little as £10 per month (please see our updated Sponsorship page)

 

In terms of our running costs – it might help to indicate how every single penny helps:

A bag of feed - £17 - £20

A large bale of hay - £60

A foot trim for those without shoes - £20 (discount from our farrier)

A set of shoes - £100 min

A wormer - £12 - 25 depending on time of year

Annual vaccinations - £48

Teeth examination - £90 (including sedation if necessary)

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As you can imagine veterinary costs can arise at any time for unforeseen emergency injuries or illness - these incur callout fees, on top of examinations; blood tests; xrays and resulting diagnostic laboratory work, along with a following course of treatment; medication and ongoing monitoring if needed.

 

It truly is a constant challenge for us to  survive - our monthly feed bill is around £800 and our winter hay bill can be £15,000 with regular flooding now happening (we are on an island surrounded by the River Thames) which decimates our grazing.  At times we truly don't know how we will cope but, with support from our local community and our social media following we manage to survive. 

 

If you are able to help us raise funds through the company you work for; can offer a prize which we can offer in an online draw or have any initiatives for fundraisng on our behalf then please get in touch.

 

We would be very grateful if you can follow us on Facebook as we regularly post information and announcements on there. If you would like and share our posts and tag your friends / anyone that might be interested in what we do that would be greatly appreciated and would raise awareness and our following.  

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If you would like to talk to us about anything at all then please head to our Contact Page and one of our team will get back to you.

 

Our Team

Caron Muir : Co-founder, yard manager

Bob Regan: Co-founder and farm maintenance

Veanne Filkins: Rehoming and Rehabilitation Adviser

Sue Turner: Fundraising Manager

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Thank you for taking the time to look at our website. It means a great deal to us when people take an interest in what we do

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