VOLUNTEERS helping rescued horses and ponies are appealing for donations of rugs which would otherwise cost more than £2,000 to buy.

The Newton Abbot-based Mare and Foal Sanctuary charity has launched a ‘wrap up a horse’ appeal to keep their rescued animals warm and cosy over the winter, particularly for its older and more vulnerable horses.

The sanctuary has dedicated retirement stables for horses and ponies that cannot be rehomed.

Making sure the animals are rugged up and safe is a high priority.

Rosy Lewis-Ullah, head groom at the retirement yard, said: ‘Rugs are a vital piece of kit for us over the winter to keep our ponies warm, in good condition and to ensure they can continue a normal daily routine of going out for grazing.

‘This is especially important for older ponies with arthritis as a rug means they can stay mobile and warm and not get too stiff.’

The Sanctuary relies on donations to fund its rescue and rehabilitation work.

To purchase outright all the rugs that are needed would cost over £2,000 so they are looking to the public for some help.

Executive director Syra Bowden: ‘We are asking for donations of unwanted rugs.

‘It may be that someone out there has something they don’t use anymore that we could give a worthy home to.

‘We have a list of specific sizes and types of rug that we require, mostly lightweight and fleece from sizes 3ft 9in to 5ft 9in.

Anyone can donate to the Sanctuary’s Amazon Wish List which has a number of items on it that the stable staff need to keep the horses in top condition, including feed buckets, treats, and brooms for cleaning stables.

Anyone with rugs to donate can call the equine team on 01626 355969.