The herd have all been rehabilitated at Springwood Sanctuary from a life of domestication, control and misunderstanding. Many arrived highly traumatised and most were due to be put to sleep because they could no longer meet their 'intended purpose'. It's hard to believe that when witnessing the peaceful, thriving herd they have now become.
The sanctuary offers an exceptionally safe haven for each to live out the rest of their lives in a peaceful environment where they are able to just 'be', immersed in the present moment. We aim to be a model for change, where people can experience horses and donkeys enjoying their life in as near a natural setting as possible, and not being used by humans in any way. We offer the herd healing modalities and experienced holistic care to fully enrich their lives. Furthermore we enable them to feel completely understood and respected for the incredible, heart centred beings that they are.
Supporting a Springwood horse, pony or donkey enables us to continue to provide for each of their varied needs in their forever home. We are a not-for-profit, privately funded sanctuary and we do not receive grants from organisations or government funding. We gratefully appreciate all of the wonderful support from our guardians and sponsors. Thank you for considering this opportunity to help them.
Become part of the Springwood family as a valued Guardian or Sponsor - and help enable the herd to completely thrive at this unique sanctuary.
HORSE / DONKEY GUARDIAN:
Each herd member costs a minimum of £280 per month plus any additional veterinary costs. If you would like to become one of our wonderful herd guardians, covering their essential costs of £200 per month or £2,400 per year, you will be very welcome to regularly visit the sanctuary or have personal updates if you aren't able to visit. You will become a valued part of your chosen herd members' life, learning if you'd like to about the unique way we rehabilitate and offer healing to the herd. Your level of involvement is entirely up to you. Some of the herd already have guardians who support these beautiful animals in this wonderful way. Please contact Jacqui via the contact form or by emailing jacqui.howe@hotmail.co.uk to discuss this opportunity further and which herd members are now needing this level of guardianship.
Thank you.
HORSE / DONKEY SPONSOR:
For £10 per month* or £120 per year, your very valued sponsorship will be supporting the needs and wellbeing of your chosen herd member. We are not open to the public, however as one of our sponsors you are welcome to visit by prior arrangement. We look forward to seeing you, thanking you for your support personally, and sharing this unique sanctuary with you.
To sponsor one of our rescued horses either:
1. Click on the donate button next to your chosen rescue horse to pay by paypal. *This payment will be your first month sponsorship. We then will contact you regarding setting up a monthly standing order to keep paypal fees to a minimum.
2. A standing order via bacs online transfer is very gratefully accepted from the initial payment onwards.
3. Or the whole year's sponsorship amount can be paid by paypal or bacs.
Our bank details are: Co-operative account no: 03339134; sort code: 08-93-00. Please also contact us to notify us of your sponsorship so that we can send the relevant updates and invitations to you. Thank you.
Rodney
Rodney came to the Springwood Sanctuary in 2017 as a youngster. It's not known exactly how old he was - but probably about 3. He came here with his friend Thomas from a children's petting farm where they were very stressed and anxious, displaying many behavioural coping mechanisms and aggression. Allowing free choice of whether humans touch them and no expectations at all has enabled him to rediscover his lost baby years. His extremely loving, cheeky character and clear role as peace keeper makes him such a wonderful member of the herd.
£10 Monthly*
£120 Yearly
Missy
Missy had a very difficult start to life and found her place in the herd in 2012 as a 13 year old who was bred for racing. When she arrived she was a very highly strung, often aggressive thoroughbred who was destined to be put to sleep as she couldn't be handled, raced or bred from. She spent much of her time on her hind legs trying to fight to be understood when we first met her. She showed us the incredible value of Mindfulness as a way to understand, heal and release past trauma at a deep level. She is the wise mare that has taught us so much about free choice, gaining trust, communicating, grounding and holding healing space. She has allowed herself to be deeply vulnerable and trusting after a past life of trauma, and now greatly enjoys a peaceful life with no expectations of her.
£10 Monthly*
£120 Yearly
Blue Moon
Blue joined the Springwood herd as a 3 year old in 2016. In her short life she had already suffered much abuse, had escaped and was rescued by police from a slip road onto the motorway. Understandably she was by then extremely traumatised and didn't want to be anywhere near humans. Peacefulness, trust and healing have helped her become confident, inquisitive and playful as well as a very relaxed and gentle member of the herd. It has been an absolute honour to facilitate that for her. She enjoys welcoming new arrivals and showing them how peaceful it is here.
£10 Monthly*
£120 Yearly
Tor
Tor started life orphaned, then used for polo and eventually found his forever home here at Springwood in 2017, aged 18. He was due to be put to sleep as he could no longer make the quick turns required for the polo field. He arrived extremely 'shut down' and depressed and it has been such a privilege to watch him find himself, discover free choice and playfulness. Everyone here loves his gentle, peaceful energy and huge heart. It's a joy to watch his willingness to mutually groom with all the herd, relax peacefully or have fun stretching his legs across the expanse of land at the sanctuary.
£10 Monthly*
£120 Yearly
Thomas
Thomas made his way to Springwood, aged 8, after spending his life in a childrens petting zoo. He arrived with his friend Rodney, highly anxious and is now incredibly peaceful and relaxed. When we collected him he was 'fence walking' pacing up and down and very stressed. His love of playing with the huge thoroughbreds and his gentleness makes him such a joy to be around. It's an absolute honour to allow this huge hearted donkey the freedom and understanding he so desperately needed in order to completely thrive here.
£10 Monthly*
£120 Yearly
The Herd
The mixed herd of mares and geldings, horses, ponies and donkeys of varying ages all enjoy each others company together with the freedom to roam around the vast acreage of the sanctuary. It is a privilege and joy to enable them this unique sanctuary, the healing, freedom and understanding they need and to witness them spending their time thriving, fully engaging in life and peacefully being.
£10 Monthly*
£120 Yearly
