Hillside Shire Horse Hillside Shire Horse

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The Working Horse Trust...

The Working Horse Trust were given a deadline by their landlord to vacate the land that had been their horses’ home for 23 years. As much as they tried, they were unable to find another site for their animals. Their last option was to contact Hillside to see if we could offer a home to Celandine and Amber, two Suffolk Punch mares, Dylan, an Ardennes gelding and Drew, a Shire gelding. We were pleased to help and all four arrived safely at our Shire Horse Sanctuary to join the many other rescued heavy horses that live there.

During 2017 we received more visitors to our Shire Horse Sanctuary than ever before! People were able to meet our rescued animals, enjoy a visit to our ‘animal friendly’ Cafe and Gift Shop and even ‘Adopt’ an animal,like Shire HorseWilliam (right). If you would like to adopt one of our rescued animals please see page 29 for more information.

Hillside

Hillside Christmas Fayre

Our Nativity Scene... featuring rescued animals, is always a great favourite with visitors to our Christmas Fayre at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary. The annual fayre has become so popular, we now hold the event over two days.

2018 Christmas Fayre dates to remember are Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of November from 11am - 4pm. Please try to come - we would love to see you there. Entry is free!

See page 2 for Open Day information

Forty Welsh Ponies...

Among the many animals taken in at ourWest Runton Sanctuary, one of the largest groups was 40 welsh ponies. Some of the mares were pregnant and, soon after arrival five foals were born.

A Three Legged Pig...

Although she was born with just three legs, Petula managed to keep up with her brothers and sisters, who were sadly destined to be made into sausages and pork chops! Because Petula is a particularly friendly pig, a kind lady took her on to live as a pet before she came to Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary where she has become a firm favourite with the visitors.

Emergency Rescue of 22 Pigs...

We were alerted to the plight of some poorly pigs, including pregnant sows, who were in desperate need of help. Photos showed them looking extremely thin and we heard from a local sanctuary that was unable to take in the pigs, that one or two of the pigs had been found dead and the rest were deperately searching for food. Their owner, who did not want to send them for slaughter, was in desperate need of help.

Trading Standards were also involved with helping these pigs and kind locals were doing their best to feed the hungry animals.

We agreed to take in the survivors, several of whom are not only emaciated but also have a serious skin condition and 22 pigs arrived with us in February 2017. The owner, who had allowed the pigs to free-range over acres of land had got out of his depth looking after them and was pleased that we were offering them a home. Some of the sows arrived pregnant and, in the summer, 38 piglets were born, bringing the number rescued to 60. The largest pig rescue in Hillside’s history!

After arrival at Hillside the pigs were given immediate veterinary treatment and small regular feeds of nutritious food to help them recover.

MC18. Hillside 2018 Mini Calendar

13 Sanctuary Scenes showing Hillside’s rescued animals. Hang on your wall or keep in your bag (opens to 6" x 8") OR just 40p each

CL18. Hillside 2018 Calendar

13 Sanctuary Scenes, one for each month, showing Hillside’s rescued animals (opens to 11" x 16")

DD18. Hillside 2018

Desk Diary

Size A5 in Black, Navy and Maroon

Now £3.95 each

D18. Hillside 2018

Pocket Diary

In Black, Navy and Maroon

Now £1.95 each

NC2. Hillside Norfolk Countryside 2018 Calendar

13 scenes from the heart of Norfolk N2.

Hillside

Notepads each pad features assorted animal designs 40 leaves 6" x 4" £1.50 each or 5 for £5

£1.95 NOW ONLY NOW ONLY

£1.50

‘Can you take them?’ This is a question we are so often asked... We have received a call asking if we can take in two separate herds of abandoned horses. The bailiffs are under instruction to ‘dispose’ of the 28 horses and their only chance of life is if we agree to take them in. However,we need to tell them if we have room this week and,if we cannot take them, they will be put to sleep. This truly is a last chance for these poor horses who deserve so much better. To put your mind at rest, we have, or course, agreed to give them all a home here in the Sanctuary.

It is particularly poignant when animals come to the Sanctuary pregnant, and give birth soon after arriving. Seeing the bond between new life and old. A natural and beautiful bond that would have been denied, but will now be free to thrive.

So much of what we are able to do to help animals, to give them that last chance to be the characters they were born to be, is dependant on kind,caring people who make the choice to leave Hillside a legacy, so that when we are asked ‘can you take them?’ , we can say ‘Yes’.

It is only through kindly bequeathed legacies that we have been able to buy new land, shelters, kennels and additional facilities to care for the animals when they arrive at the Sanctuary and, if necessary, to work with them until they are ready to enjoy their new life at Hillside.

Thanks to the kindness of those who have remembered us in their will, we have had the confidence to say ‘Yes’ to horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, sheep, pigs, ducks, rabbits and lots of other animals over the last 22 years and for the animals that receive this wonderful gift, it really is a life to remember...

Our deepest admiration and thanks go out to everyone, past and present, who has thought of Hillside in their Will. If you would like to consider doing this, please ring the Sanctuary office on 01603 736200 and ask for Lesley. Or, email Lesley at legacies@hillside.org.uk for more information or request our ‘Legacy Leaflet’. Thank you for caring