ANIMAL-lovers helped to raise more than £1,250 at a special open day held by The Animal Healing Trust and Horse Rescue in Wythall.
Over 100 people turned up to the big event, held at Seals Green Farm, to meet 28 resident horses and ponies.
Visitors got to have guided tours, see Reiki healing techniques and be amazed by the natural horsemanship demonstrations.
They also got to enjoy Indian head massages, raw juices, organic cakes, handmade craft and jewellery stalls and more.
The sanctuary rescues abused, neglected and unwanted equines providing them with a new and safe forever home after they have been given up on by others.
Sue Gessey, the charity’s founder, said she was thrilled with how much they raised and she was was looking forward to holding another event.
She added it cost them £2,000 to feed, look after and run the sanctuary.
“People were quite surprised we were even here,” Sue said.
“We had such amazing feedback from our natural horsemanship demonstrations – they are all about working with the horse with our body language – we don’t scream or hit them.”
Sue said when they did a demonstration using the Reiki healing techniques on a pony, who had been badly abused, the crowd was left in tears.
She added the pony was not used to being treated with kindness so was shocked and reacted when they used the techniques on her.
“It was not just a fund-raising event, it was to raise awareness of how you should be kind to horses.
“Just because they are big we don’t need to dominate them,” Sue said.
Sue is also appealing for donations of wood, nails, scaffolding, poles and screws.
She needs the funds and equipment to build a shelter for four of her old horses at the sanctuary, so they have somewhere to go in the winter.
Visit www.animalhealingtrust.org.uk for more.
