Where Do We Want to Be Next Year?
While I write this blog on week 7 or 8 (does anyone really know) of lockdown, our first answer is — out of lockdown, hopefully! That almost certainly will be the case, so what are our bigger plans for the year ahead?
It’s been around two years since we started our project — since we bought an empty piece of land with no electricity, water, or planning permission. In this time, we’ve come a long way, though there’s still much to do. Looking back, it feels like a different lifetime — our temporary yard, being kicked off with five horses, moving before planned, using emergency electric fencing and pallets, knee-deep in building dust from digging paddocks out of rock. Supporters arrived with bottles of tap water to fill the horses’ baths before we had running water, we had only 20 Facebook followers, and just a few dogs and cats running around!
It’s clear how much has changed in two years — thanks to Facebook followers, volunteers, donations, and visitors. We now have running water, solar panels, four horse paddocks, a stable block, 19 small animal enclosures, a yurt with a stone kitchen, a cave house, an office, a cat quarantine area, and a half-finished volunteer space. But we’re still far from done!
The Plans for Next Year
Soon, we’ll finish the yurt rental — we’re laying tiles, fitting kitchen units, and finishing the barbecue area. We’ll be looking for our first guests to try it out and give feedback. The cave house is also nearly done but currently houses volunteers, and we’re waiting for paperwork to complete before continuing construction. The process has been delayed due to lockdown, but we hope to have all permits sorted by this time next year — our biggest goal yet!
Expansion and the Track System
As we’ve built on nearly every inch of our land, we hope to expand and buy neighbouring plots. There’s a growing demand for rescuing horses, and we need more space — especially a retirement paddock for older or chronically unwell horses to live freely. Horses need movement to stay healthy, and our goal is to build a large track system encouraging them to walk naturally, improving both physical and mental wellbeing.
This track system will also benefit horses that prefer minimal human contact, giving them freedom while reducing our workload. We’re passionate and willing to work endlessly for this cause, but our expansion depends on public support. Once the yurt and cave rentals start generating income, all funds will go directly into expansion (after vet bills).
How You Can Help
If you’d like to support us, please donate to our expansion fund or simply share our story. Sharing our blog, Facebook page, or Instagram helps us reach people who can make a difference — maybe even horse-loving celebrities like Willie Nelson or Kaley Cuoco!
Here’s a direct link to our GoFundMe growth project, or you can donate directly through PayPal at horseholidaysinfo@gmail.com, or via our website’s “How to Help” page.
Below is a link to an article about the benefits of track systems for horses:
https://www.equus.co.uk/blogs/community/the-track-system
Thank you for following our story — together, we can continue creating a sanctuary where animals can live freely, safely, and happily.
