Thanks to your donations, we were able to fund new feeders, solariums and a hay steamer to help the horses and ponies at Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

Although the team wanted to keep their equines’ feeding posture as natural as possible, the floor has started to break down and is extremely dusty.

“With the dust created by the damaged floor, this becomes impossible,” explains Emma Green, Trusts & Grants Officer at Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

“The new feeders enable our equines to feed in a natural posture while keeping the feed free from dust. Santa in particular is very much enjoying the indoor trickle hay feeders. She does also seem to enjoy the challenge of trying to tip them over to remove the trickle grid.”

They have also purchased new feeders for the paddocks which will reduce waste and the potential for forage contamination; as well as reduce the risk of colic and internal parasites.

The hay steamer has proved a real hit, helping to reduce respirable irritants and improve digestion and hydration. It also provides enrichment opportunities for the horses – the team has been adding herbs and flavoured teas to the water in the steamer.

It’s such a pleasure to see them enjoying the clean, warm hay

“Gordon in particular is seriously appreciating a lovely warm breakfast and supper,” says Emma. “We tried him with some dry hay for one day and he instantly developed a cough. Many of our horses are senior citizens, and it really is such a pleasure to see them enjoying the clean, warm hay.”

The solariums are benefitting the horses and ponies in a number of ways. They provide light therapy to treat damaged skin and problems with muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments. The solariums are also proving useful for drying out the animals’ thick winter coats after a bath.

“Arnie and Wotsit, our miniature shetlands, both have PPID (Cushing’s), their skin can have challenges due to this and they can get itchy. We are so excited to be able to give them a soothing bath and be able to get them dry! Without a solarium, it would be impossible.”

“On behalf of every single equine who comes through the gates of Ferne Animal Sanctuary, thank you so much to Petplan Charitable Trust for your amazing support,” says Emma. “You are changing the lives of unwanted and abandoned horses and ponies.”

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