THE South West’s largest horse welfare charity is entering the final stages of fitting out a new purpose-built welfare and education centre at Coombe Park, between Ipplepen and Totnes, dedicated to its founder.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is inviting members of the public to support the next stage of the project by sponsoring a stable at The Rosemary Kind Barn through a crowdfunding appeal.

The building is due to open in the autumn.

Once complete, the barn will provide care for rescued horses and ponies while also creating a space for children, families and communities to connect with animals, nature and wellbeing.

Coombe Park is the charity’s main base for equine-assisted services and educational visits. It hosts programmes supporting vulnerable children, young people and adults to build confidence and connection through time with rescued horses and ponies.

Many participants have experienced trauma, anxiety or social isolation, and organisers say they often find reassurance alongside ponies that have also experienced neglect or hardship.

The new barn has been purpose-built to provide a calm, secure environment for the animals while also supporting education and wellbeing activities. It will include 13 internal stables alongside dedicated areas for specialist care and learning.

Named after Sanctuary founder Rosemary Kind, the building reflects her lifelong commitment to giving horses, ponies and foals a safe home and a second chance, while continuing her legacy for future generations.

Dawn Vincent, Director of Fundraising and Communications, said: ‘Rosemary believed horses can teach us patience, kindness and resilience. This barn will give vulnerable ponies a calm home and help more people build confidence through being with them’.

She added: ‘The building is complete and ponies will begin moving in from August. Five of the 13 stables have already been sponsored, and we are now inviting support for the remaining eight’.

Each fully equipped stable costs £5,000, with supporters able to sponsor a full stable or contribute smaller donations. The charity says all contributions will help provide care for the ponies that will live there.

Dawn Vincent said supporters were helping to carry forward the Sanctuary’s mission: ‘By sponsoring a stable, people will be part of Rosemary’s legacy and the future of many more ponies’.

The official opening is planned for later this autumn, with the charity encouraging supporters to take part in the crowdfunding campaign ahead of the first arrivals.

For more information, and to sponsor a stable, visit the Sanctuary’s page on Crowdfunder.