Ditchling: Horses from Equine Gentling sanctuary given new home

Equine Gentling, a centre that helps rehabilitate rescue horses, had to give up its herd of 12 horses due to high rent and hot weather affecting grass growth.

Owner and founder Dan Corbin said he had the “unthinkable task” of separating the herd of 12 horses and ponies to rescue centres across the country.

He said the cost of buying hay to feed the horses was putting him into debt as the months went by.

The horses happy at their new home (Image: Supplied)

Luckily, a rescue centre called Springwood Sanctuary offered the herd the chance to live out their lives near Carmarthen, South Wales.

They made the 250-mile trip from Ditchling to near Carmarthen.

Dan said: “We have been searching for a permanent home for years now and there have been some truly exceptional landowners whose land we have grazed on but time had run out.

“When Jacqui Howe and David Foster (Springwood’s owners) answered our plea for help, it was beyond our wildest dreams. Springwood offers the herd the chance to live out their lives in peace and tranquility.”

Jacqui Howe, owner of Springwood, said: “Here at Springwood we offer our rescued and rehabilitated horses, ponies and donkeys the space to roam free and enjoy a natural existence.

“Dan and I have chatted online over the past few years, sharing our passion for equines to live with freedom and choice. When he reached out to us we knew we had to help.”

Springwood Sanctuary is self-funded and relies heavily on sponsorship and donations and said they know doubling the size of their herd will bring its own challenges.

The sanctuary said it lives naturally without the need for stables, tack, shoes or grooming they still require health supplements, vet, dentist, farrier checks as well as land maintenance such as fences, winter field shelters and paid land labour.

For more information on the sanctuary, click here.