‘Nathan Carter’ is one of the 32 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the care of a local equine welfare charity which is in “dire straits” and urgently needs money and hay to get the animals through the winter.

“We are in crisis. We need a Christmas miracle,” said Kerri-Anne Fitzpatrick, who established the Lisbellaw-based Equine Welfare Network in 2015. 

The charity is facing financial difficulties because of the fodder crisis which is hitting the entire farming sector. Ms. Fitzpatrick has seen the price of a bale of hay double from £20-£40. In some cases, larger bales of hay are being sold for £150.

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“I know local farmers are struggling. We used to see a few bales being dropped off in the yard but that’s all stopped,” the concerned equine professional told The Impartial Reporter.

She was also forced to bring the animals in from grazing two months early because of the wet weather which “put a huge strain on our finances.”

A former health and social care worker and qualified equestrian coach, Ms. Fitzpatrick has always loved horses. She is proud of her charity which takes abandoned and neglected equines into its care and provides them with professional rehabilitation and training to increase their chances of finding new homes, all on a voluntary basis. She also offers volunteering opportunities to young people with mental health issues.
The charity experienced a high number of horses and ponies coming into its care over the summer, some of which had complex needs. This led to higher costs – which include vet care, farrier, passport/microchip, feed and rugs.

Despite an ongoing fundraising drive via a Go Fund Me page, Ms. Fitzpatrick fears she will soon have to close her doors.

“I’m scared to count up how much I’ve spent on these animals from my own pocket.

"Other equine charities are full and her horses still require work to make them re-homeable, Ms. Fitzpatrick explained.

She describes the Equine Welfare Network as a “family” and tells how her daughter sat in a pen with a dying horse called Pixie, singing to the animal as it passed away.

A foal called Dara arrived at the charity in July. He had been bundled into the back of a jeep by a builder who was working at a house, where he was horrified to learn that the animal was due to be put down because its mother had died.

“The foal was only six weeks old. He was stressed, hungry and in desperate need of care and nurture,” said Ms. Fitzpatrick, who explained that, in the absence of a foster mare, they gave him goat’s milk. “He was consuming 12 litres per day at a cost of £7.20. He was eating small amounts of meal, costing approximately £5 per week. He has milk replacer pellets in his feed which cost £76 per bag. He was also receiving hay and straw bedding. As he is a colt he will require to be gelded when he comes of age and he will require a micro-chip and passport. As you can see the costs even for a baby soon mount up!”

Dara is now bonding with a mare at the charity called Mia Wallace. “He has a chance of life and a chance to be loved,” said Ms. Fitzpatrick.
At the beginning of December, she travelled 160 miles to pick up four ponies. The volunteers named two of the ponies: Amazing Daisy and Nathan Carter.

The charity uses three bales of hay per week. It also uses shavings for bedding which cost around £20 per week and it spends £100 per week for food.

Appealing to the public, Ms. Fitzpatrick said: “If we could raise enough money to see us through the winter, then it will be easier to get the horses re-homed.

"I would also appeal for a few bales if anyone could spare some. I need volunteers and would be grateful if people could come forward to foster an animal and cover the costs for a while.”
To donate online, log on to the www.gofundme.com/ewn-winter-crisis-appeal or text HAYH12, followed by the amount you wish to donate, to 70070.