AN ANIMAL centre that gives abandoned horses a forever home desperately needs support.
Berkshire Animal Connection Centre (BACC) will lose tenancy of the barn that is home to some of its equines early next year.
In the meantime, the group must work out where, and how, to replace their stabling and storage facility.
Claire Misson, explained: “Here on the Farley Estate, we’re in a great location.
“We’re very happy here, and the horses are safe, which is very important.
“We’re grateful that Farley Estate has kindly told us we can keep using the fields our horses graze in, but we will soon be losing the barn that houses our animals, equipment and feed.
“We urgently need to come up with alternative shelters before next year.”
BACC is home to 27 horses, ponies, miniature donkeys, and Shetlands, and 10 goats.
“Some of them have tragic stories, but when they come here we love them and look after them,” said Claire.
Dougal, a horse with no teeth, has to be given liquid feed in a bucket.
Aged 30, he has become something of a group favourite with both horses and humans.
“His elderly owner couldn’t look after him any more,” said Claire, “But now he’s here, he’s a dude, everyone loves him, and he’s become a bit of a mascot for us.”
Sucking happily on his ‘milk’, he gives himself a huge green moustache in the process.
Smurf was a breeder’s overstock, here receiving a cuddle from volunteer, Karen.
“He wasn’t sold, so rather than have to pay for him to be fed during the winter, the breeder sent him to the abattoir,” explained Claire.
“He was only six months old when he was rescued.
“He’s a bit of a scamp, and likes to escape at night to get into the food bins.
“He loves cuddles, and when it rains he’ll hide under your arm.”
Rocky is a recently gelded stallion who loves people, and likes twanging the fences with his mouth.
“He’s not used to being with other horses and gets a bit exciteable,” said Claire, nudging his nose away from the fencing.
“But he’s a bit of a lush with the ladies.”
BACC is not only a sanctuary for animals.
It’s a sanctuary for people too, allowing people to connect positively with the animals.
Its Equine Assisted Services (EAS) give children and adults with a range of emotional, mental, physical and social problems, an opportunity to develop healing relationships with the horses.
Claire, once a chartered surveyor, is now an equine facilitated learning practitioner with years of experience.
“EAS can help children to better understand themselves and others by relating to the horses, with guidance from a practitioner,” she explained.
“It helps you learn about yourself, about self regulation, your emotions, and the effect you have on others.
“Whether youngsters have autism, ADHD, or struggle in big groups, through grooming and feeding the horses they learn to care for somebody else.”
She explains that horses are very aware of people’s emotional state.
“The way they respond can help children reflect on their own behaviour and feelings.
“We may ask a child, ‘Why do you think the horse did that? What could you change, and what impact will that have on the horse?’
“Then they may talk it over with the animal – and they don’t have to tell us – but it helps them to think about what’s going on for them, and what might need to change.
“A lot of people find it easier to talk to horses than to people.”
Claire shares a positive BACC story.
“One little boy came here with his mother, and while she was talking to Fiona, he was stroking Smurf.
“When it was time to go, his mum asked if he’d like to say goodbye to Smurf, and the child said, ‘Yes, Mummy’.
“He hadn’t spoken for six months.”
BACC was set up by show jumper Fiona Graham in 2020 and is run entirely by volunteers.
One of them, Karen, said: “I first brought my daughter, Holly, here last year.
“She wasn’t coping well at the time, but she feels safe around the horses, and has become more confident.
“She finds communication with people difficult, but here she’s even been able to form friendships with other volunteers.
“And I have post traumatic stress disorder, so it helps me to come here as well – I particularly love spending time with the donkeys and goats.”
Tucked away off a country lane, many residents may not be aware that BACC exists, but it’s well worth seeking out.
Scouts, Guides, and Brownies, and students completing Duke of Edinburgh Awards visit.
And the charity provides work experience opportunities for Sparsholt College, Basingstoke College, and Berkshire College of Agriculture.
“Businesses are discovering us, too,” said Claire.
“We’ve had corporate groups visit us from Wokefield Park, AWE, and from The College of Estate Management at The University of Reading.
“We really value these groups – they come and take care of some of the jobs that we just don’t have the time or resources to do.
“And they get a huge amount out of being with the animals.”
There are currently 10 regular volunteers – with more welcomed.
They must have their own transport, and some experience of working with horses (young volunteers can apply from year 9 onwards).
Now, more than ever, BACC seeks help from the community it serves.
The group would love to hear from potential volunteers, and from people who can help to house their animals, whether practically, or financially.
They would be grateful to hear from anyone in the construction industry who might be able to give advice or provide materials for the hardcore standing and shelters they need to install.
“Farley Estate has kindly given us the go ahead, in principle, for the work we need to do.
“Now we need a bit of certainty, and to be able to get building before the winter,” Claire said.
In the meantime, BACC continues to welcome children for therapeutic visits, uniformed groups, corporate groups, and work experience placements.
To find out more, to enquire about visiting, volunteering or sponsoring BACC, people can log onto: www.animalconnectioncentre.org
BACC is grateful to Wokingham estate agent David Cliff for their regular support, and to A1 Loo Hire, for providing essential facilities.
