Mimi is still looking for a new permanent home, but in the meantime her education will continue here. As she came off the lorry, both my horses – who have never seen a mule before – were astonished at her. Especially when she talked, as she sounds like nothing they (or I) had heard before – eyes on stalks all round at the big-eared girl with the voice of a hoarse dog! She...
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Our gorgeous Shetlands, have moved to pastures new. Unfortunately we had to take them back from their previous guardian as he had not fulfilled the necessary health care for the ponies. It never ceases to amaze us that people will happily accept the conditions of a contract, sign it, and then blatantly ignore their obligations. Luckily our contract ensures we can take any equine back if the...
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A couple of years ago, we at ERF fought a long and difficult battle with the ‘rescue’ sites in the UK, trying to explain to them that most of the French ‘rescue’ sites were merely fronts for dealers, and the ludicrous prices being paid for very sick and sorry animals, or youngstock, were simply lining the pockets of dealers who laughed all the way to the bank. ERF has...
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A few months back we received a very sad email to say that Hugo’s adopters were sadly having to hand Hugo back to ERF due to relocating back to the UK. It was an emotional time as Hugo, our first rescue, had been with the family for so long and their daughter,Pippa, had built up an amazing bond with him. Luckily for Hugo, fate was on his side! The family who adopted Perry from us decided...
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We have been asked about the traffic of horses to slaughter between the UK and Mainland Europe, so I have drafted this to try and help raise awareness of how the trading of horses destined for the dinner plate works. At ERF, we are fully aware that despite public statements to the contrary from various official bodies, horses are still exported live from the UK to France. There are many myths...
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Last month we were reported a case of 2 donkeys with terribly overgrown hooves. We see so many cases like this, often on a weekly basis, but it nice to be able to report such a rapid and positive outcome. We have to thank not only the person who alerted us to their plight, but also the DDSV in department 79, who have always responded to our welfare cases so efficiently and swiftly, as they went...
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ERF rescued Trotter mares, Lily and Marcy, are once again looking for their forever home. You can read their story here of when we originally rescued them from shocking conditions and their subsequent rehoming in January last year here. Very sadly, and to our disgust and dismay, their new adopter did not give these beautiful horses the care and attention they needed and flouted the conditions of...
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Please have a look at Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/groups/125209700909004/ and pass the details around. If you click on the photos below they’ll open in a new window. “Stolen from south of Kunszentmiklos, Bacs-Kiskun county, central Hungary 16/08/11, 4 horses: Dora: palomino highland x cob, white blaze, long mane and tail, lots of feathers. approx 15hh, 14 years old....
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Today we went out to see ERF pony Perry who has been with his adoptive family for a year now. The first thing I noticed straight away was how svelte perry was now looking compared to the rather rotund pony of last year. The sweet itch that he suffered from last year also seems to  have improved no end. To help keep the flies at bay his young guardian Katy says he loves his typically French diet...
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I went back up to check on them and to take the pictures today. When they’d come off the trailer on Friday they had rubbed their tails a bit, so I had washed the sore area and put some cream on. When they saw me today, they didn’t want to come anywhere near me, in case I interfered with them again! Donkeys are so funny, they have long memories! Wit some pieces of apple, I was...
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  A big thank to all who came and supported ERF last Saturday at the Blooming Great Tea Party which was organised in aid of Marie Curie. We were pleased to have raised approx 80€ on the day and once again the sale of good quality 2nd hand books went really well. If you have any books you have read and would like to pass on then please think of ERF as this gets us some much needed funds in....
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This week we went visiting ERF adopted horses Tiko (formerly Accord) and Hug. It was great to see them both again and to see the change in their personality and physique since they originally came into ERF ownership. Big thanks to both Guardians for giving these 2 special horses a second chance in life.
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In the US in 2007, when the government bowed to pressure from animal rights groups, the processing plants for horses were closed and the last horses slaughtered legally. Unfortunately, those lobbying had not considered in full the catastrophic result on all the horses who remain unwanted. The most important misconception was the belief that the abattoirs only existed for people to make money from...
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As an association, if an animal is accepted into the lifetime care of ERF, we follow through on that responsibility to the best of our ability. When we homecheck a potential guardian, they must comply with the criteria we specify before we will allow an equine to go under their care. The animal is passported into our ownership and remains in our name, and our property. Unlike some associations,...
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Mother and son donkeys, Manon and Rowan, have been in their new adoptive home for 5 months now. You can read about how they came to be ERF donkeys by clicking on their story here. Rowan is now 11 months old and is really starting to look like a big grown up donkey! Rowan and the adopters other young donkey, Boy, were gelded at the same time a few months back, and they are now happily back in with...
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