Calan Horse Sanctuary-help Alan help the horses

Since 2005, Calan Horse Sanctuary (CHS) has been taking in neglected and unwanted horses to provide them with a “forever home”. Most of the horses that find their way to CHS arrive in very poor condition and through much love and treatment their spirit is reinvigorated and the life returns to their eyes. Since its inception, CHS has been home to over 30 horses in need. As of the 1st of May, 2022, there are 15 that still call CHS home, 19 that have passed through the double gates have since crossed the Rainbow Bridge after receiving all the care they required to live out their lives in as much comfort as possible.

CHS, a Forever Home

Calan Horse Sanctuary is a Forever Home, meaning that the horses that arrive here will stay here until it is time for them to leave this world. We do not sell horses, or move them on to other homes. Here they have 90 acres of paddock to roam freely as a herd, hard meals at least once a day depending on any health conditions, regular hoof trimming, and any veterinary and dentist treatment they need to keep them comfortable. The horses here are not ridden or used for any kind of work. This is essentially the place they come to retire, whether they were race horses, riding school horses, or otherwise.

A memorial (seen on the left in the image below) has been erected on the outside of Alan’s home to remember all of the horses that have arrived at CHS and have since passed. Alan can recall the story of each and every one of them, and in many cases has had to carry out the heartbreaking task of ending their suffering himself. An act, that although necessary, does take an emotional toll on Alan.

Bridging Communities Inc

CHS is not a charity or a not-for-profit. It is privately owned by Alan and is auspiced under a charitable foundation Bridging Communities Inc in Harvey to help him care for the horses. The partnership with Bridging Communities Inc makes it possible to raise funds for the purpose of helping to take in and care for abandoned, neglected and mainly elderly horses.

How you can help

Since 2005 Calan Horse Sanctuary has had over 380 requests to take in a horse showing that there is a seemingly endless need for places like Calan. Alan has stopped counting the requests as it was too much for him to bear. Whilst we have the physical space and capacity to care for up to 30 horses we require financial help to ensure we can purchase the feed, medication, veterinary and dental treatment as needed.

The costs continue to rise for feed, vet, dental, and general care like rugging, upkeep of the stables and the property. Your donations help us to help the horses who have nowhere else to go and provide a safe and comfortable home for them to see out their final years. Without places like Calan Horse Sanctuary, they're either at risk of being shot or shipped off to the knackery through no fault of their own.

Did you know that an estimated 584-778 horses per week are slaughtered in Australia? *

Most of the horses in our care would be considered high risk - mainly seniors over 20, that have medical issues, and require some sort of rehabilitation.

You can help us to help these beautiful horses by making a donation through Go Fund Me. 100% of your donations go to the horses.

We thank you for your generosity and support and invite you, if you're in the area, to stop by for a visit. We'd love to share the story of each and every horse and to show you exactly how your contributions are being used.

* https://www.hsi.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/pdfs/Horses_meatproduction_Australia_NewZealand.pdf