Summer drought’s equine victims

In the hills around Waitati, near Dunedin, a desperate struggle is going on to save South Island horses from the ravages of drought and neglect.

Highland Horse Haven chief executive Melanie Worthy and director Sharon Chamberlain, already caring for 23 horses in need, are bracing themselves for an influx of 40 horses by the end of the month.

Mostly surrendered by lifestyle block owners, families and some farmers from throughout Southland and parts of Canterbury, the horses are victims of this summer's drought.

‘‘Many of the horses we have been getting in are in poor condition, or emaciated,'' Ms Worthy said.

‘‘It's going to take a lot of care, good food and water to bring them back to good health.''

A non-profit organisation, which has operated on farm land near Waitati for the past year, the Highland Horse Haven is mostly funded out of the pockets of Ms Worthy, her partner Chris Foot and Ms Chamberlain.

Some funds are raised from the sale of rehabilitated horses to suitable homes.

The largest horse haven in the South Island and a registered animal welfare organisation, Highland Horse Haven has received a steady trickle of horses in the past year, including cases of neglect or abuse. However, the gradually worsening drought across large areas of the South Island meant an abrupt increase in the number of horses surrendered.

The recent rain came too late to make any difference to the plight of the horses.

Contacted by The News, Southland Federated Farmers representative Russell Falconer said he had not heard of farmers giving up horses because of the drought but suspected lifestyle block owners and inexperienced families might be struggling.

‘‘It's a shame to hear that it is happening out there,'' Mr Falconer said.

Ms Worthy said there were many reasons why horses ended up in dire straits, from inexperience to wilful neglect, but the haven's main focus was rescue and rehabilitation.

With 23 horses to care for, the situation was manageable, but with an extra 40 mouths to feed, vet bills, transport costs and the land lease to cover, the Highland Horse Haven is urgently seeking funds and equipment. At a rough estimate, the haven will need nearly $100,000 to cover expenses during the next year - feed being the biggest cost.

‘‘We received three more horses over the weekend and are expecting another 10 by the end of this week,'' Ms Worthy said.

‘‘The flood is starting, so our need for funds, feed and gear is urgent.''

Ms Worthy and Highland Horse Haven marketing manager Sharon McBain are in contact with stock-related businesses throughout the South Island, as well as funding organisations, in a desperate hunt for support.

‘‘People sympathise and we are getting some help and discounts from suppliers and so on, but we need a whole lot more.''

Ms Worthy said landowner Young Ko, who is leasing a 61ha block of land to the haven and has offered access to more land if needed - a total of nearly 85 ha - was doing all he could to help.

Mr Ko put in extra water troughs, offered the haven access to his supplies of hay and the farm had a good covering of grass, which was a ‘‘great relief'', Ms Worthy said.

‘‘However, these skinny horses need special supplementary feed to help bring them back to good condition.''

In addition, horses in poor condition struggle with cold winds and with winter just around the corner, the haven is urgently seeking warm covers for its new charges.

‘‘We're hoping people throughout the region may have old horse covers hanging around that they no longer need and we would really love to have them,'' Ms Worthy said.

Ms Worthy is in contact with the Otago SPCA and Southland SPCA over the situation and will liaise with Dunedin-based Otago SPCA inspector Stephanie Saunders in the coming months.

‘‘Stephanie has been supportive and has offered us some good advice,'' Ms Worthy said.

Contacted by The News, Ms Saunders said the Otago SPCA would be monitoring the situation at the haven and would carry out regular checks on the horses.

‘‘People need to be aware that horses arriving at the haven may be in poor condition, so they may see thin and unwell animals at the site,'' Ms Saunders said.

She is concerned by the scale of the task the haven is taking on but feels positive about the abilities of its staff to care for horses.

Ms Worthy and Ms Chamberlain are well aware they have taken on a huge task but they are determined to make it work.

- Donations of money, feed, horse covers, bridles and other equipment for the Highland Horse Haven can be made through www.highland horsehaven. co.nz or by phoning (03) 471-0082, or (0274) 646-285. Since the story ran in several of The News' sister papers last week, the haven has received $1100 in cash donations, 10 horse covers, several bridles and halters and some feed.