## **The H.A.C.K. Horse Sanctuary** ## **Rescue, Rehabilitation and Education** **Reg ch. 1025157** Full welfare members of The National Equine Welfare Council ## **Annual Report 2023/24** **Office** The Woodturners Cottage, Lavister, Rossett, Wrexham. LL12 0DF **Sanctuary** The Stable Yard, Mill Lane, Bradley, Wrexham. LL11 4DD Website www.thehackhorsesanctuary.co.uk – e-mail pamhackhorse@gmail.com Tel: answer machine 01244 571 524 - 07960951153 Trustee’ - Pamela Bluck, -Jane Anne Lloyd, - William Bluck. The sanctuary is unique in the fact that it is run entirely by dedicated volunteers Therefore there are no paid persons. **The Object and Aims of the Charity.** Founded in March 1992 the aim and object of the charity in the main is the Welfare of the horse. H.A.C.K. is a rescue and rehabilitation centre. To provide a safe haven for neglected, cruelly treated, and distressed, horses, ponies and donkeys, and all those necessitating rescue from unnecessary slaughter, including those that are abandoned and/or disregarded by their owners. To provide food, shelter care, veterinary aid etc. To make well, re-train/school and re-home into vetted homes. Those who are unsuitable for re-homing are kept within the safety of the sanctuary. To provide education on animal welfare to the general public and promote a better understanding on responsible ownership and general health and welfare of the horse **Equine facilities.** The stable yard consists of 12 stables with lights, feed room and store, it also has mains water **The Isolation block,** (which consists of 1 corner stable 15 x 15 – 1 stable 12 x 12 and a barn - store - shelter with post and rail fencing around the isolation paddock) it is well used **Maintaining land** H.A.C.K. has its own machinery and we keep land in good heart, keeping it clean and in good heart. The machinery is well maintained and any damage repaired. The Tractor has to be insured and taxed (although free for agricultural still has to be registered with the DVAL) otherwise we would not be able to travel on the road. Page **1** of **3** We have also invested in Mud Guards for areas that become badly poached and also as flooring in shelters. Theses are proving to be an excellent way of protection for the land and horses legs. The Rescued Horses. We have had a steady inflow of horses and ponies, others we have had to help in other ways and have tried to find places and help in other areas. A lot of the animals are young colts, which need extra time and attention and veterinary care (others are small mares with foals or in foal). These colts, also have to be castrated and can be difficult to handle. Young horses usually stay within the sanctuary until fully trained and able to go forward into a working life. Occasionally we do find a very experienced home that can do the necessary work that these youngsters need and will agree for them to be re-homed under these circumstances, thus creating a place sooner for new rescues. It is the H.A.C.K. policy that all rescued horse’ be found new homes where appropriate. All the animals that come into H.A.C.K. will be given the same treatment and handling techniques and all are taught the necessary handling for the attention of the farrier, vet, dentist, loading into a trailer and to stand happily whilst being groomed, even companion horse have to be given daily attention and be amenable. We have again this year re-homed a great many of our horses and ponies . Some of the rescue horses come into H.A.C.K. with a great many problems and can be difficult to handle and it takes time and patience and a lot of experience to win their confidence and retrain and change their attitudes. Many are just frightened and have had no real previous experience of correct handling and are suspicious of their human counterpart. It is not H.A.C.K.’s policy to rescue as many equines as it can with a quick turnaround, as we feel that most would end up having to be rescued again and it would not be in the horse’s best interest to be passed on quickly. Horses do not get to choose the people in their lives it is all a matter of chance and we want to give the horse the best possible chance. We want all our rescue cases to have a fair quality of life and a good positive future. Resident Equids H.A.C.K. has 5 resident horses, ponies and 2 donkeys that have to stay within the care of the sanctuary. 4 of the ponies and the 2 donkeys work on the education side that teach youngsters on animal welfare in aid of our educational programme. They certainly earn their keep and are also used for fund-raising events. Other Animals H.A.C.K. still has 3 pigs, 3 goats, and several rescued battery chickens Volunteers **.** H.A.C.K. always welcomes new volunteers of all ages, although this has to be a structured process and it is not always horse carers that we need but persons who have a wealth of experience in other areas such as people skills and organisational/practical skills, IT etc. - Fund Raising The volunteers also actively fund-raise, by organising various events throughout the year, However, Covid 19 as had a problematic affect on our fund-raising activities and although we are now working hard and trying to get back on track we are facing the financial crisis with in the cocuntry Page **2** of **3** Education **.** H.A.C.K. continues to grow in the teaching of horse care and welfare and have introduced a new term time school educational programme, (one day a week for 6 weeks) this is proving a better experience at the Sanctuary itself and is proving to be very successful with applications from schools wishing to participate in these lessons. However, we are limited to how many schools can actually attend in any given term. It has proved to be a very positive experience for the students. Visitors to the Sanctuary. The number of visitors to the sanctuary via appointments continues to increase and all visitors enjoy having hands on experience with the ponies and other animals and they find the sanctuary setting a peaceful place to be. We are open to the general public especially on fund-raising activity days at the **S** anctuary. We have also reinstated the Saturday kids club and group visits since the Covid 19 shutdown, this also includes special hand on experiences from schools. The future. To continue in our dedication towards the welfare of the horse and providing more facilities as required. We are tremendously successful, on a shoestring budget, although it is hard and frustrating and we could do so much more if given the added financial support, but the money we do raise goes directly to where it is needed, the welfare of our animals and the facilities they need and not investing in other things irrelevant to our cause. Long term. H.A.C.K. continues to provide all the necessary facilities, care, knowledge and support for the aims and object of the charity and continue in the battle against cruelty in many different guises that is dealt upon a great number of animals. This also includes the continuation of our educational programmes and involvement within the community. Page **3** of **3** The H.A.C.K. Horse Sanctuary Reg. Ch. 10251i7 Rescue-Rehabilitation-Education Full Welfare Members of the National Equine Welfare Council Account Summery year Ending 28th February 2024 Income Expenditure £46,111 . 21 £33,749 . 50 Diesel M/Tractors/Mach. OfficelFundraising Exp Yard/Feed/Hay Build/fencing Vet/Farrier/Dentist Rent/ Ins . Utilities Memberships £2738.43 £ 4i79:40 £ 2626.47 £ 10372 . 04 £ 4647.07 £ 3837.82 £ 3215.10 £ 896.09 £ 837.08 £33,749 . 50 Income £46,111 . 21 £12,361 . 71 Ln f4 oooeooooooo ttotsoclJO ¢coAooooooo 000 OLnoooooooooo c> O c> O O O r4 Lrt 000080808ooc ci tJ O ￿ C4 0 0 000000 000000 oooooooooooti 000 o ti o o Lti ul oocio cooc>oco Otftoinoo oooDi0tr400 ooo 000 Ln Ln wi Ln 888 coo Lh LA vt rri Ifi e4 V4 rq rfj r¢ w pi 88g8888888 oNoooo&tyci£Eo 8888888888. oooooootsooor 888 8888g8 ,.oNoooooc>oooo rri O 888 8888888889- O O ci