Sponsor a Sanctuary Horse — Racehorse Relief

Fourteen years, one yard, and a lot of hard-won trust.

Poppy came to Racehorse Relief 14 years ago as a four‑year‑old. She’d already lost an eye, and she carried a tremendous amount of trauma from her earliest life. She was unhandleable, frightened, running purely on survival instincts. It took a full year of quiet, patient work just to be able to look after her safely.

Now 18, Poppy has softened. She has learned to trust the people who care for her — the same people who’ve been there for over a decade. That trust is what allows her to live a settled, calm life. Asking her to build it all over again with strangers isn’t something we’re willing to put her through. Racehorse Relief will be her home for the rest of her life.

Sanctuary sponsorship is how we keep that promise.

£7,500 a year, per horse.

Keeping a sanctuary horse costs Racehorse Relief around £7,500 every year. That’s the honest figure — it includes:

Feed — hay, hard feed, supplements

Bedding and stabling

Barefoot hoof trims every six to eight weeks

Routine vet care, dental checks and vaccinations

Insurance and yard costs

The daily labour of caring for a horse who can’t be rehomed

Sanctuary horses cannot pay their way. They arrive here and stay. Your monthly sponsorship is how we make that possible.

Sponsor a whole horse.

A single business, foundation or major donor can fully sponsor one sanctuary horse for a year — £7,500 — or on a monthly basis at £625. In return we agree a bespoke package: named sponsorship of a specific horse, an annual report, invitations to our annual Sanctuary Day, use of the story in your ESG or CSR materials, and public thanks from the charity.

What happens if Poppy passes away?

Sanctuary horses are older or medically complex — we’re honest that this happens. If Poppy passes, we’ll write to you personally. You’re welcome to end your sponsorship, or move it to another sanctuary horse in her memory.

Can I visit?

Guardian and corporate sponsors are invited to our annual Sanctuary Day at the yard, where you can meet Poppy in person. For Companion and Friend tiers we send regular photos and updates so you can follow her year from wherever you are.

Is Gift Aid claimed?

Yes — if you’re a UK taxpayer we can claim an additional 25% on top of your sponsorship. We’ll send you a short Gift Aid declaration after your first payment.

Can I cancel?

Any time, straight from your PayPal account. No forms, no phone calls.

Why can’t Poppy be rehomed?

Poppy came to us at four carrying the legacy of a very difficult early life. It took a year just to be able to look after her safely on the ground, and years more before she softened. That trust is fragile — built on the specific people and place she knows. Moving her to a new home would ask her to start over. It’s not about her age or her eye; it’s about not undoing 14 years of hard-won trust.

Sponsor a Sanctuary Horse.

Fourteen years, one yard, and a lot of hard-won trust.

Three ways to help.

Companion

Friend

Guardian