Horse centre inundated with offers of help

3:10pm Sunday 13th January 2008

Comments (4)   Have your say »

THE Horse Trust in Speen has been "overwhelmed" with support from the public after it took in 14 horses, donkeys and ponies rescued by the RSPCA from horrific conditions.

Scores of people have volunteered their time to help look after the starved equines, which were close to death when they were brought to the stables over the last seven days.

The Trust has also received countless donations to help with the horses' upkeep and some people have even volunteered to help answer the phones, which have not stopped ringing after the centre was thrown into the national spotlight during Wednesday's huge rescue operation.

More than 100 animals were removed from Spindles Farm in Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath, after RSPCA officers discovered the rotting bodies of 32 dead horses there last Friday.

Since then the Horse Trust has been steadily filling up its stables with some of the 146 equines rescued from the farm.

Rebecca Evans, head of welfare at the Trust, said: "I have had people sending up rugs, buying seed for the horses, not to mention a huge amount of support with donations over the internet coming in, giving money and food for the horses.

"The support has been overwhelming. The way the community have come together and offered so much support's been fantastic."

Despite receiving specialist care from staff, the rescued animals still have a long road to recovery and cannot be seen by members of the public yet.

Rebecca added: "This is not a quick fix situation. They were close to death when we got them but we're still doing tests and out of the 14 there are probably four that are still critical. They're extremely thin and although they're eating, which is fantastic, we still have to be very careful with how much we feed them so as not to jeopardise their health because their internal organs, they're not used to food.

"We can't let the public near them and they're so ill I don't think the public will want to see them. Once they're feeling a bit better and we have come through all the tests people will be able to see them and give them a stroke."

A fund has been set up by the RSPCA to help with the care of the other animals, which were rescued. To donate call 0300 123 8484 or ring the RSPCA's South Bucks branch, which is also taking donations, on 01494 677775 or through www.southbucksrspca.org.uk You can also donate directly to the Horse Trust by calling 01494 488464 or visiting www.homeofrestforhorses.co.uk and following the links.

James Gray, 44, who lives at the farm, has been charged with criminal damage and assaulting a police officer. He is due to appear before Aylesbury magistrates tomorrow.