THE Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT) has had a busy year, rescuing and rehoming horses and ponies from its Arklow base.

There were many cases with successful outcomes and thanks to the IHWT’s rehoming programme, horses and ponies are enjoying a new lease of life in good homes.

IHWT’s series of shows for retired racehorses, kindly sponsored by Tattersalls, was very successful.

Three horses travelled to the championships in Aintree. The Amarillo Kid, Sizing Australia (champion and reserve champion of the show series) and Smokey Bay (RDS winner) flew the Irish flag and picked up many rosettes between them having all earned placings in various classes.

“We head into 2020 with over 60 equines in care and around 250 out in loan homes. For 2020 our aim, along with continuing to care for our many equines, is to greatly reduce or eliminate our farm mortgage and secure the future of the charity farm and the work of the IHWT.

“We would like to sincerely thank our many sponsors, donors and every supporter for their continued support in 2019. The charity can now accept donations directly in its Facebook page and on its website www.ihwt.ie. Even the smallest amount is always appreciated,” said IHWT founder Sharon Power.