Our Work

Within the Sanctuary, there are usually around 50 animals in care at anyone time, the largest is Onslow the Shire, with retired Police horses, ex-racehorses, and rest going down in size to moorland ponies, donkeys and Shetlands. The oldest Sanctuary horse lived until he was 50 and the oldest donkey until she was 60.

All the animals enjoy the individual care of Sylvia and Terry and their band of helpers. All the people who work with us are hand-picked for their kindness and love of animals and voices are never raised when dealing with them.
Over the years, Sylvia and Terry have, without fail, visited the animals late at night to check that all was well. An extra feed is given to the elderly, and the very young, and they ensure that every animal has enough hay and water to last until morning.

The Sanctuary's Police Horses

Due to a lack of funding the Police cannot afford to maintain their retired animals and, unless trustworthy and reliable homes can be guaranteed, these horses are put down. The Trustees couldn't allow this to happen, after all the years of service in which the horses have always given their best they have earned the right to retirement.This Sanctuary has long been recognised by the Police Service for its integrity and retired Police horses, regardless of age or infirmity, are never refused care. It is our policy to take all the horses offered by the Avon & Somerset and the Metropolitan Police forces. These horses have stood firm in the face of violence and adversity and are the pride and joy of their riders. The days of a Police horse are long and hard and, as they near the end of their lives, Sylvia and Terry do their very best for them.

We owe everything to the horse. Over the centuries they have fought our battles, have pulled our ploughs, and when we have wrecked our world, we will have to call upon them again to help us.

God bless them, for again they will be our hope for the future and a light in our darkness. Know them now, to be the noble friends that have served us so well without question. The friends that we as human beings have abused and betrayed for so long.

Another important part of the Charity's work is to provide physically and mentally disadvantaged children with a day in the country, where they can have dose contact with the animals. They have a wonderful time. Some children who may sometimes be very introspective, often 'open-up' and become more out-going when in the company of horses and ponies. This part of the Charity's work is of particular interest to Roland, also several of the Trustees who have been involved, on a voluntary basis, with disadvantaged children and adults.

We encourage visits from local schools, also Scouts and Cubs, Girl Guides and Brownies and Pensioner's groups
Dragonflies.

Also of concern of the Trustees is the care of wildlife. Habitat is being constantly improved and over 7 acres of woodlandA roe deer and wetland have been set aside for this purpose. Making nest boxes, planting native trees and shrubs has shown very satisfactory results and is a delight to everyone to see more snipe, and the appearance of other more unusual birds such as the pied flycatcher, gold crest and even merlins.

A small group of deer live in the woods, alongside a very vocal pheasant and his family. It is planned to make another pond, the first one is now teeming with life: frogs, toads, newts, etc., and is attracting damsel and dragonflies. On the wetland, there is evidence of the rare marsh fritillary.