Equine Centre Raises Money
Turbury Equine, a Halifax-based livery yard and training facility, on Sunday held an open day event and raised £400 for equine welfare charity The Horse Trust. The money raised will be used to fund research into Sweet Itch, a condition that causes extreme discomfort to affected horses, with symptoms including severe itching, hair loss, rashes and weeping sores.
Dawn Lumb, the manager of Turbury Equine, who organised the event, said she was keen to raise money to tackle this condition as she has directly seen the discomfort it causes to two of the horses in her livery yard.
"We have two horses on our yard with Sweet Itch and work very hard to manage the condition - we have to constantly put creams and gels on them. To watch them trying to rub themselves raw is very upsetting," said Dawn "I think it's one of the worst horse conditions. I imagine they feel the same level of discomfort as people with severe eczema."
The open day was held to celebrate the opening of Turbury Equine's new Cross Country Course.
One of the highlights of the day was a demonstration and course walk by Sue Chadwick, an eventer who has competed nationally in events such as the Bramham International Horse Trials and the Badminton Horse Trials.
Sue, who is based in Golcar, Huddersfield, said she is delighted that Turbury Equine has opened the new Cross Country Course, which has over 20 jumps set in 8 acres of gently undulating, open countryside. "A Cross Country Course is just what we need in this area to make a more readily available training experience for everyone," said Sue.
The open day also gave people the opportunity to get expert advice on various horse issues, such as horse feed, worming and veterinary care, and to sell their unwanted horse equipment.
Paul Jepson, Chief Executive of The Horse Trust, said: "We are delighted that Turbury Equine decided to run this event in aid of The Horse Trust. The money they have raised will help fund vital research into Sweet Itch."
Sweet Itch is usually caused by an allergic reaction to midge bites. Research funded by The Horse Trust has succeeded in isolating potential allergens in midge saliva - opening up the possibility of using immunotherapy to treat Sweet Itch.
The charity is keen to fund the next stage of this research, but a reduction in income from donors during the credit crunch has forced the charity to suspend its grant programme. To donate to the charity please click on the bucket of carrots.
Turbury Equine was established in November 2007 and offers full livery, an indoor riding arena, an outdoor cross country course and easy access to miles of beautiful bridleways. It also offers breaking and schooling, rehabilitation livery, dressage, show jumping and cross country training clinics and arena hire.
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