A haven for traumatised horses and humans who enter its paddock, the Tom Ro Haven for Equines in Noordhoek, is in dire financial struggle to keep its doors open.
Since its inception, the haven has not only rescued neglected ponies but also provided healing programmes for children from abusive backgrounds and victims of human trafficking.
Stephanie Mcculloch, who co-founded the haven with her mom, Gillian, tells People’s Post that the haven is run by volunteers.
“We are a bankrupt non-profit; we are all volunteers and run programmes for children, so it is a constant struggle.”
With 20 horses in their care, of which 17 are on the premises and three in foster care, Mcculloch says it is a battle to feed the horses each month.
“Realistically, we get our hard feed pellets donated but we have to buy 10% Cool feed which costs R700 a month and then leucine which is R1 000 a month and our biggest bill, the hay bales, is anything between R18 000 and R22 000.
“Because we don’t have secure funding it is difficult to do planning.”
According to Mcculloch, a few horses have medical issues and are in need of insulin and anti-inflammatories which adds to the costs.
“One horse is on insulin; another one has Cushing’s disease and then there is anti-inflammatory we need which is anything between R5 000 and R7 000.
“Our biggest bill is our hay and we constantly try to raise money, which is very difficult. We battle every time.
“We are working our tails off but we rely on volunteers, so it is tricky.”
The haven has been a healing space for children from Masiphumelele, Muizenberg, Khayelitsha and various communities for the past 11 years.
“In the programme for the kids, they are able to groom the horses, walk them, help with feeding. In total we work with 98 children, so most of them are so excited to come out.”
As much as the haven is open to children and adults who come from traumatising backgrounds, the same can be said of the ponies.
“Our horses come from different backgrounds, from townships or competitive riding to others with injuries. All the animals have different personalities and we get to know them and do gentle approaches.”
She adds that it is interesting to see how horses connect with different people and children through their trauma.
“Our wish is to bring awareness for people to come and see what we do.”
For more info contact Stephanie Mcculloch at info@tomrohaven.org.za or on 078 747 6965.
