Stella King and 37-year old Ella at Canterbury Horse Rescue at Baddlesmere. Picture: Chris Davey

by Katie Alston

A horse rescue centre is at
breaking point as the recession continues to threaten its
future.

A dramatic rise in the number of
owners needing help to care for their horses is putting a massive
strain on limited finances. With bills exceeding £800 a week,
Canterbury Horse Rescue barely breaks even and it is struggling to
make ends meet.

The credit crunch has also led to
the charity, based at Boundgate Farm, Badlesmere, near
Faversham, having to turn animals away as the fields and stables
fill up.

Despite a considerable drop in
donations, the charity is recording dramatic increases in
appeals for help, with owners struggling to rehome horses
they can no longer afford.

Centre manager Stella King said:
“It is a very distressing situation and it has fast become a
continuing uphill struggle. I’m really not sure how long we can go
on like this.

“People are even having to put
their horses down because they can’t afford vets’ bills or even
general upkeep costs.

“We have had horses abandoned in
our fields overnight and left tied to our main gate. Things are
getting beyond ridiculous.”

The centre’s recent introduction of
a horse ambulance has proved to be a vital service with members of
the public continually calling upon its services to transport sick
animals.

Mrs King said: “Although it is an
added cost to us and an expensive piece of equipment, with the
number of people unable to help their horses there is no
alternative but to keep it going.

“We keep finding horses in more and
more distressing situations. People can’t afford to pay their
mortgages these days let along cover spiralling food and vets’
bills.

“If we send the ambulance to help
we ask for a small donation, but increasingly owners can’t even
afford that.

“The situation is going to
get worse through the winter and the decisions we are having to
make will only get tougher. It is breaking my heart but we are
doing all we can.”

The deteriorating situation has
lead the Horse Rescue Centre to appeal to the public to give
whatever they can, be it money, hay, feed or even their time.

The charity is offering the
opportunity to help out at the stables and gain professional
knowledge and guidance from the centre’s trained staff.

To offer your support call 01233 740730 or visit www.canterburyhorserescue.org