Hello everyone! My name is Molly and I run a small equine rescue in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. We currently care for five rescued equines: a 28-year-old pony, a 24-year-old pony, a 21-year-old horse, a 7-year-old horse, and a 3-year-old filly. Every one of them has a story, and every one of them deserves the chance to live a life free from fear and neglect.

Four of our horses and ponies were rescued from entering the slaughter pipeline. The youngest member of our family, a three-year-old filly, was left to slowly starve after being diagnosed with a degenerative joint disease. Because of her condition, she will never be ridden, making her disposable in the eyes of those who owned her. To us, she is no less deserving of love, care and a future. She now has a safe home where she will never have to earn her place.

Three of our rescues are veterans and require specialised diets to help them maintain a healthy weight and enjoy the retirement they deserve. Every horse and pony that comes through our gates receives the same promise: they will be cared for for the rest of their lives, regardless of their age, health or what they can no longer do.

One of the most important parts of our welfare programme is ensuring every horse has 24/7 access to hay. Horses are designed to graze almost constantly, and unrestricted access to forage is essential for their digestive health, helps reduce stress, and significantly reduces the risk of problems such as gastric ulcers and colic.

This is particularly important for one of our rescue ponies, who arrived with a severe crib-biting habit caused by chronic gastric ulcers. Crib-biting is often a coping mechanism linked to pain and stress. Restricting forage can make both the ulcers and the behaviour worse, so providing constant access to hay is a vital part of her rehabilitation, supporting both her physical health and her mental wellbeing.

Unfortunately, this winter's exceptionally heavy rainfall has had a major impact on hay production in our area, causing prices to rise dramatically. After searching for the most affordable option, we've secured a local supplier, but the cost is still more than our small rescue can manage alone.

To feed our five rescues throughout the year, we need between 80 and 90 bales of hay. We also keep a small reserve because rescue work is unpredictable. When an emergency call comes in, we want to be able to say yes, knowing we have enough forage for another horse or pony in need.

At €55 per bale, we need to raise €4,000 to cover our annual hay supply.

Every donation, no matter how small, goes directly towards feeding the horses and ponies in our care. By supporting this fundraiser, you're helping us provide not just food, but security, comfort and a future for animals who have already endured more than they should have.

If you can't donate, sharing our fundraiser is another wonderful way to help. Every share gives these horses and ponies the chance to reach someone who may be able to change their lives.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us ensure that these five incredible equines will never know hunger, neglect or uncertainty again.