Hello!
14 years ago I began renting a 7 acre piece of land close to my home for my horses with nothing but a roofless, dilapidated stone barn and no water connection or fencing. The lovely landowner was a massive animal lover, happy that her land could provide a safe home for my horses and chickens and asked a mere 'peppercorn' rent.
The Ranch was established as a registered small holding with Defra having sheep join us along with a load of happy hens who supply eggs to the locals! We also have a breeding herd of Pygmy Goats; another income stream that will develop over time.
The Ranch has long welcomed people for therapeutic visits and I have trained and studied to be able to be an effective facilitator; a constant journey of education! www.bayhorseranch.org/about
After 10 years my landlady discovered she was terminally ill and made the incredible gift of the land with her wish that it be used in the way she had approved of and continue to be the little sanctuary it is. Sadly she lost her fight and we lost a unique and wonderful person who had nature and animals at the heart of who she was.
Her passing further embedded in me the Ranch's mission and I have now created a Community Interest Company (CIC) to enable the provision of a safe space which could benefit those who need it. Our ethos is to support local trades people and businesses and any local groups. This status means we can fund-raise and apply for grants with donors knowing all monies go back into the project as a not-for-profit.
The Ranch is a low-key, natural setting; unique to many other places due to its organic presentation and species specific animal provision. This ethos is paramount so all our livestock are not compromised in their involvement within this work. This attitude of full regard is hugely significant to our clients who then feel they too can freely be themselves within the environment.. and hopefully beyond!
The services we offer are of a therapeutic nature but we are not classed as therapists; we do not counsel or psychoanalyse; what we do is create a space for our clients to feel free to explore the power of horses and our other ranch residents and where they can address the issues which brought them to us in the first place. We welcome children and adults, some who are neurodivergent, others with past trauma, loss, confidence issues or youngsters needing alternative provision from mainstream school. We also offer courses in alternative horsemanship.
Bit by bit, as finances allow, the Ranch is taking shape to the extent we want... no yard type set-up... that's not us... we have a track grazing system for the health of the horses, large paddocks for the goats and other animals and small animal housing. We are planning more planting and the creation of a wildlife pond, a micro-forest and corridor hedgerows. We are a chemical free zone and embrace regenerative farming practices in regards to land management.
So... back to that dilapidated old barn... it has stood for a long time and although it's taken a bit of bashing over the years and in need of restoration, it is an important feature of the land and should be resurrected for the good of the animals as a shelter and a useful space in inclement weather for clients!
This is to be our fundraising effort of 2024: Raise The Roof @BayHorseRanch!
We have been very fortunate to be given a grant from The Bingham Trust, Box to kick start this campaign plus we are July's nominated charity for Golf Daily Draw www.golfdailydraw.co.uk who donate any surplus from their ticket sales. We are aiming for £3000 although are aware this will probably not be enough so hoping for more! Having looked at the cost of a timber shelter, it's at least this amount and would mean having to apply for planning permission and result in another structure on the land which seems daft considering this building is already there and we have been advised that it can be rebuilt without issue. We will be looking to engage local stone masons and builders (maybe there will be someone out there who'd be generous with their services!) so anything would be gratefully received; please consider donating to this project and help with giving this cute little barn its purpose back! Thank you. xxx