The rural insurer, NFU Mutual is asking horse owners and equine businesses to donate unwanted tack and equipment to help working horses in the Gambia this winter.
Pony headcollars, bits, girths and bandages are needed by The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust.
There is also an urgent demand for cotton wool, bandages, dressings, iodine and Hibiscrub.
Over 40 NFU Mutual offices across the country are acting as drop-off points for donations.
“The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust is desperately seeking emergency supplies to help care for the animals it helps look after and is appealing for people to donate tack and equipment,” said Alison Cox, equine specialist at NFU Mutual.
“With many working horses and donkeys in The Gambia suffering as a result of improper care and poor nutrition, we want to remain people that there is still more they can do to help.”
NFU Mutual has made a financial donation to help The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust carry on its valuable work and earlier this year sponsored The Vets with Horsepower Northern European Ride 2014, a charity motorbike ride to raise funds for the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust.
The 12-strong team left on 2 July and completed the 3,500-mile trip from London to St Petersburg and back in 18 days.
They went through the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Russia and home through Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
The ride was the fourth charity venture undertaken by the team of specialist vets.
“Vets with Horsepower is a team of specialists whose aim is to raise money to deliver expert care and attention to working horses, as well as to children with facial disfigurements in some of the poorest countries in the world,” said Professor Derek Knottenbelt.
“This year we are raising money for a new urban educational and clinical centre to cater for hardworking donkeys and horses. We are also looking to raise enough money to allow 500 cleft palate operations for children and infants in India.
“We are extremely grateful for NFU Mutual’s sponsorship and can’t wait to see the money put to good use.”
More information on tack collection points
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