We're happy to announce that Sue and her team at Blue Acre Horse Rescue will be getting a desperately needed new barn for their 35 horses, thanks to an AVM Foundation grant.
From Leaky Roof to Dream Barn At Blue Acre Horse Rescue
Their current barn has been around since the early 1980s when trustee Bob Regan was farming cattle on their 42-acre site. Over the years it's become unstable, open to the elements, and the roof leaks badly - making it impossible to keep their precious hay dry. As Sue explained:
"To see so much of our precious hay getting wet and going mouldy is soul destroying, let alone the respiratory ailments which can occur in the horses, resulting in vet bills."
This is particularly frustrating because Blue Acre gets a percentage of their hay donated from local businesses, including Eton College - they only pay for mowing and baling, which saves them so much money. From September through early April, all 35 horses rely on this hay storage.
The new barn has been ordered with deposit paid, though there's a 6-8 week lead time for delivery. Once it's built, they'll finally be able to:
Store hay and straw safely, ensuring top quality forage and bedding
House essential machinery (tractor, trailer, post rammer) to extend their life
Protect their investment in donated and purchased feed
As Sue put it:
"Having this new building will be a dream come true for Blue Acre and we are so grateful to The Anthony V. Martin Foundation for their incredible grant."
We're looking forward to seeing the finished barn and will share photos once construction begins!
If you’d like to support Blue Acre’s amazing work you can find out more here: