Help Mountains Animal Sanctuary - Scotland's largest Horse rescue and adoption centre

Any horse owner will know the importance of looking after and caring for animals in need, which is why charities like Mountains Animal Sanctuary, Scotland's biggest re-homing and adoption centre for horses and ponies. 

For over 30 years, Mountains Animal Sanctuary in Forfar, Angus, has been dedicated to caring for vulnerable horses in need of some TLC and a safe and suitable home. In order to keep themselves out on the frontline, bringing in and re-homing horses, ponies and donkeys in order give them a shot at a better life, Mountains relies on charitable donations and volunteers. However, sadly, they now need your help more than ever after suffering a break-in last week, less than two weeks before Christmas. 

A statement from the Mountains Sactuary website reads:

On Sunday night/Monday morning (9th/10th Dec) at about 3.30am Mountains Animal Sanctuary, was broken into. All our donations from the previous day at our Nativity Concert were taken as was stock from our Visitors Centre and our unique much loved carved horse, Milton, we used for our Armistice Service. Plugs were put in sinks and taps left running so the visitors centre was also flooded, the office was completely wrecked. We are all devastated that anyone would target us especially at this time of year.

Any help would be much appreciated, if you live close by and can help with the big clean up please contact the office on 01356 650308.

You can donate by following the links on this page, any amount however small would be appreciated.

If you have any information that might help the police contact the office on the above number.

  

A Horse Is For Life Not Just For Christmas

'A pet is for life, not just for Christmas'

It's an old saying, but at this time of year, it's particularly important to remember. There is nothing quite as special as the first time the horse of your dreams comes into your life, especially on such a special day as Christmas Day itself. But as any horse owner will tell you, the reward of making this special connection comes with a lot of hard work. 

We don't need to tell you that it's worth it, but there is sadly a growing trend for treating animals as if they're disposable gifts, with many new owners who were once enamoured by the idea of spoiling a loved one with a wonderful Christmas gesture soon feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility and maintenance that comes with caring for a new pet, especially a horse. 

The BHS (British Horse Society) is currently trying to raise awareness of the problem, warning against any company that is encouraging people to buy a horse for Christmas.

As the BHS states: Horses need and deserve skilled care from knowledgeable people. In this market, they may be inexpensive to buy, but they can be costly to keep.

The company, Horsemart, recently sent out an email advertising: 'Horses under £500 make great Christmas presents.'

BHS Senior Welfare Executive Lee Hackett said: “We were so disappointed to see such an irresponsible email coming from Horsemart. A horse is for life, not just for Christmas.

Particularly reprehensible is that the horses shown in the email are all young animals designed to pull at the emotions of unsuspecting buyers. These horses would need careful handling from experienced people to develop and prepare for their future. They are most certainly not to be exploited for Christmas.”

The British Horse Society and we here at The Equestrian Blogger encourage anyone with the ability to properly care for a new horse to contact any reputable local Horse Rescue Centre, where you will find plenty of wonderful horses in need of a safe and reliable home.