Raystede Equines
A retirement haven
The equine section at Raystede cares for 21 horses, ponies and donkeys. We also look after 7 goats and 2 sheep. Most of the equines at Raystede are old or have some form of injury or illness and are here to spend the rest of their days receiving the best possible care and attention. All our equines live outside all year round to enable them to live as natural a lifestyle as possible. During the winter months they need extra care to keep them dry and warm. You can sponsor the cost of feeding your favourite horse, pony or donkey for a month.
Download the equine meals for a month form here
Here are pictures of some of our retired residents - click to enlarge
Clementine is one of our oldest Donkeys, and probably one of Raystede's longest standing residents. Although we have no official records of her age, we believe she is well over 40 years old! Clementine is without doubt the bossiest Donkey. She takes it upon her self to keep the rest of the herd in check. Her favourite party trick is to send the rest of the donkeys in the wrong direction when we call them in!
Kamille is a 30 year old Arab. Kamille came to us as her previous owner emmigrated to France. When she arrived she was sparkling white, and we referred to her as a pampered Princess and did wonder how she would cope when turned out with the other horses, but fear not, one big buck and off she galloped to the rest of the herd. Kamille does have a hamstring problem of which she finds a daily massage helps to ease her discomfort.
Nolly
Purdie is an 11 year old miniature Shetland pony. Purdie has severe orthopedic problems with stickle hocks and a club foot. Despite these problems Purdie is always in good spirit and a real character.
She previously spent a lot of time on her own and therefore loves herd life and the company of other ponies. The next time you come to Raystede Purdie would love you to visit her. You will recognise her as our smallest pony.
Saul
Seamus
Tammy
Cloud is a 24 year old welsh x Arab pony. She came to Raystede 6 years ago with her then companion Harmony. Cloud is the 'mother hen' of the pony herd as she is the Alfa mare. She is very sweet and looks after all the little ones. She will keep watch while the others sleep. Her greatest responsibility is looking after Saul the blind pony. She is quite literally his eyes and won't allow any harm to come to him.
Albert
Brandy is a 33 year old Chestnut Cob Gelding.
He has been at the centre for a long time. For this reason we always tend to refer to him as the old boy that's been there and done it! Brandy is a very sweet and loving pony although he does have a stubborn streak. He tends to be of the opinion that he can go anywhere in the centre he chooses. We quite often find him the wrong side of the fence or catch him playing with the gate catches!
Sam has been a resident at Raystede for a long time. We don't know Sam's exact age, but we do know he is over 3o years old. Sam has a condition known as Sweet Itch which means he has an allergic reaction to midges. To help eases his condition, Sam wears a special rug in the summer months called a "Boetts Blanket". Sam has never really been interested being with the other ponies. He instead, prefers to live with the larger horses.
Houdini is one of our elderly donkeys at 35 years old. Houdini suffers with Sweet Itch, and has to wear a special rug. This stops the midges getting to him. Being so sensitive to midges makes Houdini's skin get very itchy. He likes nothing more than to use people as his very own scratch post!
Benji
Long Ears
Danny
Cherry
Mr Perkins
Blue
It costs, for each horse, pony or donkey:
- £50-100 for a donkey rug (unlike ponies, donkeys are not waterproof).
- £10-50 per week for feed and hay.
- £3 per week for straw for their shelters.
- £20-60 every 6-8 weeks for feet trimming and shoeing.
- £10 twice a year for worming.
- £40 twice a year for dental work.
