EQUINE enthusiast Hilary Anderson happened upon a website highlighting the plight of horses on the Continent, and decided she would help save one.
But one turned into six, which then became 12, and she has now set up a charity with friend Maggie Brown, both of Cairnie, near Huntly, to save “hundreds more”.
Equine Lifeline aims to save as many horses from enduring long, torturous journeys across Europe — under current EU regulations many animals suffer and die during transportation because they are given no water, food or rest.
The charity will organise the ponies’ and horses’ rescue and transport them to the UK, where they will be adopted or kept using sponsorship money. And it hopes to promote lost rural skills by encouraging their use in farm work and forestry, providing a greener alternative to tractors.
Mrs Anderson, 46, said: “We’re looking to work in partnership with other interested bodies to set up a rural skills centre.
“These horses, especially the Comtois draft horses, are ideal for logging and farming, which is what they’re used for in France.”
The charity has already picked out the next batch of four colts, which are due to be shipped to Italy on a one-way ticket at the end of the month.
For more information about adoption or to donate towards the rescue, which costs around £1,000 for each horse, contact Mrs Anderson on 07798 725845 or visit the charity’s website, www.equine-lifeline.org.