Hi I'm Annie and I breed Suffolk Punch heavy horses up in the Lake District, funded by the riding at Cumbrian Heavy Horses, a small business built on passion for these magnificent horses and sharing that with non riders and riders from all over the world.

Rising costs, taxation and a serious downturn in the economy is hitting us hard. The Heavy Horse Riding funds our breeding programme. I dont want to admit it, I dont want to ask for money but we are struggling.

Heavy rains are flooding fields and buildings, hay is expensive, feed is expensive, taxes have risen, government policies are damaging small businesses, farmers (yes we are also a farm) and employers.

Unless we have some help, our Breeding Programme is going to have to stop, we have the expertise, the facilities, the love, but we cannot afford it. There is not enough money coming in.

If you can afford to help us, we would appreciate it. An early Christmas gift? A cup of coffee? You want to Sponsor us? Larger sums please get in touch directly! We appreciate every penny, every pound, its going straight to clear vet bills, feed bills, hay bills.

Every little will help.

My mares are all pregnant this year, which Im delighted about and we'll do our best to have a successful foaling, but after foaling I do not want to have to sell them. I dont. But..... Costs......

I have feed bills vet bills and the ongoing needs of the horses in our care. They get only the best, as welfare is vital. They come first.

The BHS mantra is spot on. Friends, food, freedom. These horses want for nothing.

As a brief overview of the cost of putting one mare in foal, and costs to keep her, foal her safety with the professionsl team here, stud fees, stallion costs, management costs at stud, transport to/ from, vet fees, scans,

farriery, inoculations, dentistry, any additional vet bills, worming, blood tests, stabling, hay, hard feed, fields, use of, maintenance of, rugs, rugging, grooming, (and adoring!) where all staff time doing these every single day is paid for ( they are qualified trained knowledgeable staff ) it equates to between £17-£19,000 per year. Its actually quite terrifying. Individual owners, where they do everything for their one horse, might scoff, but their time is not taken into account.

That is the true cost. I have three Suffolks and beautiful Tilly our Clydesdale, mum of Captain Tom and Lennie!

All the horses here get the best care.

We have high welfare standards.

We know what we are doing.

That expertise is pricey.

Please do note, we are not a charity btw. We are a business but its one born of passion, love, and for people too - we meet only the best people, we try and be good humans and share the horses, the farm, but that is not paying our bills at the moment.

Some Suffolky background!

I have had a Suffolk in the ridden team here since Thor joined us back in 2008, we now have four Suffolks for people to come meet, groom and ride, Hector, Evie, Scrumpy and Drummer as well as three in foal Suffolks Molly, Daisy and Honey. These critically endangered beauties are coloured various shapes of chesnut and yes its spelt like that!

I love their colours, from a deep, rich orange red, the burnt orange, to the lighter chesnut with flaxen manes, they are all stunning. Their temperament is lovely, kind, and yet they can really shift on the beach when asked!

Our homebred Suffolks are starting to join our team now, Evie the first with Connie and Tally next.

I had hoped for Bella to be next in two years but I dont think that can be as I need the money to pay suppliers, now. They are small businesses too.

We are trying to future proof. Many great ideas from the FB post recently. Courses, Open Days, we're starting a 1:1 Club, our Cumbrian Classic Riding Holiday Dates are going up tomorrow, it is time and expertise and I am learning. I have long term plans, goals, but...I need a little help to get out of this current situation. Honestly, I'm even considering a podcast! That's scary!

Long term, for sustainability, we need an indoor facility to offer experiences all year round, but that feels like light years away right now. Beam me up, Scotty....

Ok. Enough waffle. Am a bit nervous asking.

So, if you can help, thank you.

You'll help 'Save Our Suffolks'

If you cannot, I understand. Totally.

Thank you in advance for even reading this far.

With love, Annie and everyone human and ginger at CHH! ❤️

Update

Am incredibly relieved to receive all the gifts...they are gifts of kindness, of belief in us, of what we do....thank you so much❤️

What you have raised so far, almost £8,950, is going a long way towards clearing our bills.

Our stud fees last year added up, with transport, staying away, livery, foaling down, covering, vets, scans, and mare and foal care until their return for the theee Suffolks to over £10,000. That's conservative. That's not just what Bruce charges its everything. He's reasonable a per horse (I have three) and the horses are well cared for. He too is a small business so he's charging for the expertise, concern, care, time, facilities, and his stallion. I know they are safe with him. My Clydesdsle mare went North! She went to a prestigious stud and was covered by a Champion. That's another £1,000 easily with transport etc. Yes Suffolks are expensive they are critically endangered and notoriously difficult to get in foal.

Fortunately my three seem to have the hang of it now but the first time, well, Daisy didnt take ( go in foal) despite being at Twemlows Stud in Wales, They are good, however Bruce managed it the next year. Mission accomplished. Expertise is learned, studied, years of life experiences. You pay for what you get. So this 2026 summer, all four are due to foal. I am taking on board suggestions of adoption schemes. Hopefully the Breeding programme can continue beyond this year.

Thank you thank you for all your help❤️

It really does make a difference!

Thank you all for your financial and emotional assistance ❤️