Busy Month

"Community Leader, British Science Association"

We were blown away by the response to the British Science Week workshops we held in March 2021. We gave urban horse owners the opportunity to use a microscope to evaluate the worm burden in samples from their own horses by undertaking faecal egg counts. The enthusiasm and engagement of the horse owners was staggering. Many of the communities we work with do not engage with traditional schooling, yet bringing science to life in this way made it real for them and their interest was humbling.

We have been extremely fortunate to be awarded the opportunity to become a Community Leader as part of the British Science Association community engagement scheme.

Horses form a critical part of social identity and mental health of the urban communities in south Wales. As a charity working with these disadvantaged communities, we use our shared passion for horses as common ground to provide support and education. We are keen to further our work in this area, and our British Science Week 2021 workshop showed us just how powerful science can be to awaken enthusiasm and engagement. Giving these people a chance to see what it is we are talking about in real life made the subject of parasitology real to them. They could see the worm burden their horses had with their own eyes and that motivated them to treat them; a win-win for both science engagement and equine welfare. There are so many other interactive learning opportunities like this that could be equally beneficial going forwards.

We are a small charity, but are working hard and proactively to increase our reach within urban communities. However, to achieve the impact we would like to have, we are aware that we need to upskill. The Community Leaders programme provides a fantastic opportunity to do this, and to access training sessions and support that would make all the difference to us and the work that we do in the long-term. On an individual level, the Community Leaders programme will enable Lisa to gain confidence in delivering science-based workshops and with science as a subject. Within the community there is an untapped interest in science that we identified at our British Science Week workshop and would love to build on going forwards. Participating in this programme will equip Lisa with the knowledge and skills to do this effectively, as well as providing a valuable network of support in the long-term. Working with communities can be challenging and isolating. The opportunity to be part of a network, to share experiences and support each other in the work that we do cannot be underestimated.

Lisa went to London this month and attended the first Community Leader Workshop, held at the British Science Associations head office “It was so special to meet so many individuals who are doing amazing things in their communities “.

In October, we held another event allowing owners to perform worm egg counts for their own horses, this time at a local livery yard. Once again, we were delighted by the response and the positive feedback that we received. We aim, with the assistance of the British Science Association Community Leaders Program, to run and facilitate more interactive workshops making science real and benefitting horses.

There has been a great deal of interest in Daisy – but no one yet has come forward with an offer for a forever home. This may be due to her young age but she is still with us. She really is a cracking character. We do have a robust rehoming policy which is in line with the majority of responsible Equine Welfare Charities. Although CFH has successfully rehomed 6 horses this year, she looks set to be with us for another Christmas. Your continued support enables us to keep all our horses and ponies safe. If you could offer Daisy a home, please contact us and we can provide you with the information required.

Milo -Applications currently closed

We have received in excess of 40 applications for Milo, which is just wonderful. One even in Northern Ireland. After a tremendous amount of work, we have managed to filter down the applications and we are currently in the final phase of our rehoming procedures. Hopefully, Milo will have a new loving home just in time for Christmas.

We cannot write this post without giving significant praise to Bethan, who has compassionately cared for and trained Milo in recent months. They have been on many adventures together and he has gained experience of road trips, the forest and even a fun ride. THANK YOU, Bethan. You are such a valued member of the team.

This month hawthorn: the mainstay of many hedges, provider of shelter for so many animals and a food resource for many others. For humans, young leaves can be eaten as a nutty flavoured green – and a sauce can be made with the berries. For our equine friends, hawthorn provides good spring green as it’s early into leaf. Horses will forage upon the leaves and some will enjoy the berries too. Dried berries are available to buy where access to fresh forage is limited and reports suggest consumption may help horses with navicular or laminitis, as hawthorn lowers blood pressure and dilates the coronary artery. For horses to have general access to hawthorn allows them to pick what they eat – and this beautiful tree contributes to a balanced diet.

October, has arrived with a bang, lots of rain and calls regarding the welfare of horses.

There is one thing that unfortunately springs to mind this time and it’s the phrase “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink”. We do our very best to assist owners who are struggling to meet the needs of their horses and we will assist them whatever way we can within our remit. BUT we do not and cannot accept bad welfare practices especially after we have advised the owners of the necessary corrective actions. With the turn in the weather to torrential downpours, the needs of the horses living out change. There is requirement for horses’ to have adequate shelter (be it natural or manmade) as at all time maintaining the Five freedoms. These are freedom

from hunger and thirst
from discomfort
from pain injury or disease
to express normal behaviour
from fear and distress

Where we have spent lots of time trying to assist an owner and we see no improvement, we will act upon it and work with the statutory powers to ensure that the horses needs are met and that enforcement is possible if required. This unfortunately has been the case this month, which saddens us.

We assisted with the BHS Castration Clinic held in Bridgend this month also. It is rewarding to see such engagement from all the vets involved and to work alongside them, as well as meet with lots of owners.

During this month we also attended the Animal Welfare Network Wales (AWNW) AGM. We are so pleased to be members of this organisation and we are also active members in the Equine Working Group within the AWNW. There is a link to the AWNW November newsletter just below, if you want to read more on their work.

Work in progress: we are currently organising some crucial workshops for some owners and their horses. We will keep you informed.

How Can You Help Us ?

We are searching for some fundraisers

We are looking for some local volunteers who do not mind early mornings and love car boot sales. We have a large array for items for sale that would raise essential funds for us at Communities For Horses. With two ponies currently under our care and winter fast approaching we really need your help. If you have your own transport and would like to help us, please contact us.

There are many ways that you could contribute regularly to our work, some that incur no additional costs. Please do take the time to explore the many ways that you can make a difference.
Give As You Live allows you to make a donation, direct from purchases from many businesses.
Amazon Smile donates a percentage of your sale to us as your select Smile charity. You can sell unwanted items on the EBAY, where we can benefit from a percentage or full value of your sale, you choose.
Thank You.

We are delighted that some of our supporters are raising funds for us on EBAY. It is really simple to do , if you have unwanted items, that you wish to donate to charity, list them on EBAY. That way a percentage or the full value of the sale is donated to Communities For Horses.

What has our equine welfare officer been up to?