Charity feels the heat as drought drives up costs

The pictures say it all.

Last summer the animals at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s site near Newton Abbot were grazing in lush green pastures.

Now there’s only parched earth and dried-up stalks in those fields at Honeysuckle Sanctuary, so the horses and ponies are being fed on hay and haylage (semi-wilted cut grass) instead.

Team leader Grace at the Honeysuckle site said: "We're using almost as much hay now as we would in winter, simply because the grass isn't growing.

“If the pastures can't recover before winter, we'll face months of additional feeding, increased mud management and further pressure on resources.

This summer’s record-breaking heat and drought have also driven up water bills.

At Coombe Park, the Sanctuary’s Education and Equestrian Centre near Totnes, the latest bill has risen from £240 to £1,661 – an increase of nearly 600 per cent.

The site’s rainwater tanks have been dry for months, forcing full reliance on mains supply.

Horses are drinking more, evaporation is higher, and dry, dusty ground can worsen breathing problems, so water use has increased sharply.

However, staff are finding ways to keep the animals comfortable and stimulated in the heat. The extra care includes sunscreen and flysheets, sponging horses down to keep them cool and ensuring they stay hydrated.

The charity said all the animals’ needs are being met, with their welfare central to every decision.

Leyla Anstee, Head of Sanctuary Care, said: "We’re only able to respond like this because of the people who support us.

“Thanks to them, we can buy the extra forage and give our teams the resources they need to keep standards of care high. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated, visited our charity shops, shared our updates or backed us in any way this summer. It makes a direct difference to what we can do on the ground."