ON Tuesday, March 24th, the Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary in Ballynoe, Co Antrim issued the following statement informing the public that it was officially in lockdown because of Covid-19.

“We can’t take the risk that any of our dedicated staff and volunteers may fall ill and therefore be unable to care for the animals at the Sanctuary of which currently there are over 120.”

The centre has also restricted their rehoming and rescuing work but will still provide advice via email (crosskennan@hotmail.com) and its Facebook page.

“At the time of closing, we were in the middle of volunteer training, fundraising and the building of a new sanctuary stable and shelter to house some of our Shetland population. All had to be put on hold.

“Immediately we saw losses of income and other donations of food and bedding, that would normally be coming in from bag packs, coffee mornings and other activities. We had to cancel upcoming events and sadly ask some volunteers not to attend.

“The office is being manned remotely but life goes on at the Sanctuary where we don’t have the option of closing the gates and working from home.

“The yard staff and long term volunteers continue to provide care while following guidelines of social distancing and handwashing.

“Without the staff and volunteers, the animals will suffer.

“Without people’s support, we cannot continue; and that is a terrifying thought that is plaguing us more and more as the days continue.”

The Sanctuary is asking people to check out their website and Facebook page to see how they can support the staff and volunteers’ efforts.

THERE was no great surprise this week when it was announced that the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society had decided to cancel this year’s Balmoral Show which had previously been rescheduled from its usual May date to mid-August.

Sadly, therefore, we won’t be meeting up with the usual great mix of people from the worlds of racing and equestrianism who, in recent years, have descended on the showgrounds at Balmoral Park near Lisburn as they did when the event was staged at the King’s Hall grounds in Belfast.

MOST of the big veterinary clinics in Northern Ireland use social media these days to keep their clients informed of current and future events but this week the Tullyraine Equine Clinic delved into the past as it shared Hugh Suffern’s posting of his ride at Badminton in 1980 on Jean Mitchell’s Blue Cliff mare, Madrigal.

You can read about this in a special Badminton feature in next week’s Irish Horse World section of The Irish Field.