Donna’s Equine Sanctuary was officially opened February 2013. Donna Coady and her mother Babs have been known for many years for their role in the rehabilitation and the ’re-schooling’ of troubled horses.
Babs worked as a riding instructor for many years in England before moving home to Ireland. Donna followed her footsteps, after leaving school working as an instructor, opening her own livery yard in 1999 aged 20.
Over the years Donna was lucky enough to be able to help some troubled equines to re-enter the work place and have good solid careers, racing, jumping, hacking whatever job that suited. It became a standing joke that Donna wouldn’t sell horses for fear of where they would end up!
Babs is a very driven lady when it comes to animal welfare. Donna followed Babs’ foot steps’.
Donna qualified as BHSII 2011 and re-opened the livery yard as a riding school. When the ‘recession’ hit the welfare of a lot of animals started to decline. Donna and Babs could see this and decided to try to do something about it.
Now having 7 dogs- all strays- and 16 horses/ponies nearly all of whom have a sad story to tell (not including the Sanctuary) Donna & Babs have their work cut out keeping everything going. Donna always says ‘You never mind for family’ and that is how this small family run yard works. Routine, Rules and Love.
Donna’s Equine Sanctuary is run solely on donations from good willed people who also realize the problems facing all to many horses these days. The money is spent on the Vet, the Farrier, the Dentist, any other health practitioners and of course FOOD!! It costs approx. €2000 per year to keep 1 healthy horse without grass per year.
Donations of feed, hay, rugs, equipment or even the use of land are ALL gratefully received.