Over the last few days, since the devasting floods hit Bransby Horses’ site in Lincolnshire, the Charity has been overwhelmed by the communities’ support. In response to this the charity has been developing their Emergency Flood Crisis Campaign (EFCC).

Jo Snell, Chief Executive, explains:  “Since last Friday, as many will have heard and seen in the media, Bransby Horses has been working hard, day and night to maintain the health and safety of the 450 horses we have here at Bransby.

We’ve lost 40% of our grazing land due to the flooding, and are dealing hour by hour with the hazards of having up to 4 feet of contaminated flood waters in our fields and yards.

“This is understandably exhausting for our teams, however the public support we’ve received since the story hit the news and our social media channels has been incredible, and has kept our spirits high. As part of our Flood Response Strategy we’ve been working on developing our Emergency Flood Crisis Campaign. This campaign will continue to run long after the floods subside, for anywhere up to 18 months.

“There are lots of ways our supporters can help right now, and so we’ve drafted a ‘Ways You Can Help Guide’, and published this on our website”.

We also highlight them below :

Ways You Can Help Guide link: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/flooding-at-bransby-horses-how-you-can-help/

Ways You Can Help Guide content:

If you are in a position to help us, please read fully through the following guidelines as this will help our very busy teams make the most of your generosity.

Ways you may wish to help:

Donating Money

We have set up a specific page for the flood crisis. Thank you so much for your kind words and generous donations and your ongoing support for the charity and the welfare of our equines. Here’s a link to our JustGiving flood appeal, a gift of any amount will go directly to this appeal and make a huge difference to us at this difficult time:  https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Bransbyhorsesfloodcrisis

Donating Goods

The Charity at this time welcome donations of any extra supplies you can get to us. The way to do this is with Amazon Wish List. Simply click here to see a full list of what we currently need: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/37USQC6GW5QXQ?ref_=wl_share

Rehoming and Fostering an Equine

Our Rehoming Team are appealing to anybody who is currently considering fostering an equine.  Now is the time to help – there are 19 incredible ponies that are looking for their perfect match. All you need to do in the first instance is compete the online application form at: www.bransbyhorses.co.uk/rehoming – and then one of our team will be in touch.

Volunteering

There are various opportunities available and different ways in which we need your support.  *For equine specific role we are looking for current or previous horse owners, with at least  3 years equine experience, and are over 16 years old.  Please email your name, telephone number and the days and times you’re available to: [email protected]

Due to the bio-security of the site all safety clothing will be provided by the charity.

The type of work we’re looking for help with:

*Equine Specific Tasks:  Checking equines; feeding, giving medications, applying treatments and giving a thorough check of each equine. Poo picking fields and mucking out stables (not hands on but must have horse experience to have the special awareness and able to read equine body language).

General Tasks:  Washing feed buckets, filling hay nets, sweeping areas, poo picking areas that horses have moved out of and collecting shavings and feed (in a vehicle). Administration support for answering the telephones and support with getting hot drinks and soup to the teams across the site.

Transporting Equines

We have been inundated by the generous offers to use trailers and horseboxes and we are truly overwhelmed by your support. Due to the complexity of many of our equines and the ongoing bio security we must adhere to as a welfare charity, unfortunately we are not able to accept these kind offers of help. We are working with other charities who are able to provide transport that covers the particular insurance and bio security needs to transport our equines safely.

Offering Land for Equines

The offer of land and stables has been overwhelming. Many of our equine residents have specific behaviour requirements either with their handling or how they are bonded with their companions. We have many equines that have been at the charity for such a long time we have no idea how they would cope with the stress of moving or changing their routines. Those that are more adjusted to change have been chosen to transfer across to our Barlings site with priority areas being created to safely house our much loved groups.

At the moment, thankfully we are able to temporarily meet the needs of all our equines with longer term plans in place for the teams to create safe environments in other locations.

By offering us your details when you have land and stables available gives us extra opportunities should the need arise and we are eternally grateful for your acts of kindness. 

Notes for interested parties:

Bransby Horses Rescue and Welfare’s insurances do not cover the site’s grass fields. If the charity was generating an income from the fields, such as through farming, it could make claims for a loss of income, but because these fields don’t generate money, the Charity is unable to make an insurance claim.

Ongoing investigations indicate that the Charity won’t be entitled to any compensation either.