New era for Northiam equine centre

The Blue Cross has announced exciting plans to develop the role of its Northiam equine centre, and is inviting local people to attend the official opening event on Saturday 5 April 2008. 

After more than 50 years caring for horses in the South East, the Northiam centre is to become our first rest and retirement centre for Blue Cross horses and ponies. 

While other Blue Cross equine centres will continue their work rehabilitating and rehoming horses and ponies around the country, the Northiam centre will cater mainly for retired horses that are not suitable for rehoming because they are very elderly or have medical conditions that require special care.  It will also be home to a small number of young equines before they are ready to be transferred to one of the other centres for training and rehoming.

Debbie Heaver, Blue Cross acting sanctuary manager at Northiam, explains: "The new emphasis on rest and retirement will allow us to provide specialist care where needed for Blue Cross equines into their old age, offering them a lifetime of security."

"We already have more than 500 horses and ponies in loan homes around the country, and as they get older they will need increasing levels of care that the borrower may not be able to provide.  The changes at Northiam mean that should any of our equines need to come back to us, they can spend the rest of their days in a peaceful sanctuary with the care they deserve."

The Blue Cross Rest and Retirement Centre, which features new walkways for visitors to view the residents, will be officially opened at midday on Saturday 5 April. Members of the public and Blue Cross supporters are invited to join special guests to mark the occasion. 

Find out more about the opening event

Find out more about Northiam equine centre

28 March 2008