Project Hope Horse Welfare VIC
The Bunderra Foundation is supporting Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria, which is a non-profit organisation committed to providing hope for equines through education, rehabilitation and advocacy.
Project Hope investigates horse neglect and abuse, rehabilitates neglected horses and educates groups on horse welfare. They also advise and assist owners who may have a horse with behavioral or health issues, need to rehome due to circumstance change or just need support regarding horse health care.
Along with rehabilitation, Project Hope Horse Welfare also provide financial support to cover expenses such as veterinary, farrier, vaccinations and feed etc.
We are proud to be supporting such a wonderful cause.
An Update - Dylan & Sizzle
July 2024
During the 2023-2024 year we received 84 reports involving 206 horses. Surrender was needed for 18 horses which is down from last year, and unfortunately 6 of these needed to be euthanised due to welfare issues.
Many of our members will remember in February 2016 when the RSPCA seized more than 100 emaciated horses and ponies from a property in Warrak. Project Hope took many of them into care and our wonderful members nursed them back to good health.
Dylan and Sizzle were two of the lucky ones saved from the hell hole. They were just foals at that and grew up within the family of Project Hope. As fluffy youngsters, they were at Kerryn's place where she taught them to lead and introduced them to the good life. The years have gone by so
"Where are they now?”
Dylan (aka Jack) lives in Nyora with his paddock mate Bruce who used to be a racehorse. Occasionally they will go for a ride at the beach or down the trail, but mostly they live their best lives being horses and racing each other around different paddocks. Every morning, they come cantering to their gate and neighing if they’re not already there stomping for their breakfast, and it’s the same in the evening. They love getting hosed in the summer and generally enjoying life.
Sizzle and his young rider spent many a year at Pony Club, however he was always quite an anxious horse and PHHWV continued to work with them to assist. To cut a long story short - the young rider grew up and had to move for work, leaving Sizzle with their mum to look after. Sizzle didn't want for anything but was not coping with life in general and became quite difficult to manage. So, in 2022 Sizzle came to live with her old PHHWV carer Tracy who worked with Sizzle on much of his anxiety. He is now a sweet horse who attends long reining and dressage days and he is continuing to come into his own.
Dylan & Sizzle 2016
Dylan 2024
Sizzle 2024
Dental Days for Horses
2023
Animal Welfare, Agriculture Victoria supported PHHWV in hosting two dental days with Equine Dentist - Peter Borgdorff, from the Australian Equine Dental Practice.
Peter and his student provided dental care for 14 horses
and a very interesting presentation where everyone from two trail riders & pony clubs were intrigued with the specimen and stories that highlighted the importance of regular dental care and the impact of food choices for their horses. Many of the horses on both days of clinic, were eating and accepting the bit with great relief after their treatment.
PHHWV hold many educational and training days that focus on great horse welfare and building connections and relationships with horses.
Welfare Hope for Horses
August 2020
In 2007, three horses named Mayfield Indigo Rose, Rafki and Spaggles were rescued from a property in Kyneton, which was known as “Paddocks of Death”. Fortunately, the RSPCA successfully had the owner prosecuted and the horses were surrendered to Project Hope.
After an initial rehab, the foals went to rural homes to “grow”, and are now well balanced and happy and have adjusted to their nurturing lives with Hope Project.
