‘My Lovely Horse Rescue,’ which is based on a farm in Ballyonan, Moyvalley, Co. Kildare, is appealing to farmers for donations of disused hay barns or sheds.
The rescue, which was founded by: Cathy Davey; Martina Kenny; and Deborah Kenny, has 180 horses in its care, that are split between the farm and foster care. So far this year it has taken in 50 horses.
“We are looking for three sheds ideally for the purpose of dry standing areas for our horses, as we come into the winter. We need permanent structures in place for dry standing before the land floods, and it starts to get muddy,” said the founders.
They would be for more shelter for our rescue horses that have had an awful start. We want to give them as much as we can.
“We rely mostly on donations from the public whose support has been really great since the rescue started in 2011. We organise various fundraising social events such as pub quizzes and comedy nights.
“We have volunteers and supporters who organise market stalls when they can, with all the proceeds from items sold going to the rescue. We also have a charity shop in Rathfarnham village.”
My Lovely Horse Rescue receives a small annual grant from the Department of Agriculture. “However, we are constantly fundraising to keep up with: the vet; food; farrier; and hay bills,” the founders said.
Anyone with a shed to donate can contact Cathy on: 086-6076557.