Crosskennan Guardianship

Introducing Crosskennan Guardianship 🐴❤️

One of the most important things we have learned from more than 30 years of rescuing animals is that rescue has to come with a lifetime commitment.

Our aim has always been to rescue, rehabilitate and, wherever possible, rehome. But our responsibility doesn’t end when an animal leaves our gates.

Crosskennan retains ownership of the animals we rehome. Many will live happily in their adoptive homes for the rest of their lives and may never need us again — but if circumstances change, we are still here.

For some animals, sanctuary is a safety net they can return to.

For others, sanctuary is their home.

Nearly every equine currently living on site has been in at least one home since rescue. Some have been rehomed several times. Others have never left us because we believed remaining here was best for them.

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Some are now older. Some cannot be ridden. Some have chronic health conditions, physical limitations or more complex behavioural and management needs. Some simply aren’t what prospective homes are looking for.

And we won’t keep pushing an animal through home after home if we believe it is detrimental to their welfare — particularly when they are happy and settled here.

Being older, non-ridden or complicated doesn’t make them any less deserving of a family.

So what have 30+ years taught us?

Sanctuary is essential.

For some, it’s a safety net.

For others, it’s a life. It’s their chance.

And that brings us to something new…

🐴 Crosskennan Guardianship 🐴

Launching as a pilot programme in October 2026, Guardianship is a little like adoption, a little like sponsorship and a little like volunteering — but it isn’t really any of those things.

It’s about building a genuine relationship with one individual horse or pony who calls Crosskennan home.

Through a regular financial contribution, Guardians help provide for their horse or pony’s care here — feed, forage, bedding, routine care and the veterinary and specialist support they may need.

Depending on the level of contribution, Guardianship may be shared, or an individual or family may become an animal’s sole Guardian.

But this is about much more than helping to pay the bills.

We want these animals to have people of their own. ❤️

Guardians will be able to visit regularly to spend dedicated time with their horse or pony — grooming, enrichment, suitable activities or simply spending time together.

You’ll learn their quirks, likes and dislikes and become a familiar part of their life. You’ll receive photographs, videos and updates through a dedicated WhatsApp group and, within appropriate boundaries and always with welfare at the centre, learn about and be involved in their ongoing care.

They remain under Crosskennan’s lifelong protection, with our team responsible for their management and welfare.

They have their home.

Guardianship gives them their person.

Someone who doesn’t arrive thinking, “I’ve come to see the horses.”

Someone who comes through the gate thinking:

“I’ve come to see you.”

We’ve discussed an idea like this for several years, but a recent conversation with one of our volunteers finally gave us the push we needed. They would have loved to adopt a particular resident but knew they couldn’t independently meet that animal’s complex needs on a standard livery yard.

They asked if there was another option.

And we realised there should be.

Not everyone has land or facilities to keep a horse. Not everyone wants to ride. And someone may have all the love and commitment in the world while recognising that managing an older or medically complicated horse independently isn’t realistic.

Meanwhile, somewhere in our fields, there may be a horse or pony who doesn’t need another attempt at finding a home.

Maybe they just need someone to call their own.

2026 will be our pilot year, so we’ll be learning along the way and adapting the programme around what works for our animals, Guardians and team.

If you think becoming a Crosskennan Guardian might be for you, get in touch to register your interest and learn more.

There are horses and ponies here who would absolutely adore having someone arrive at Crosskennan just for them.

They already have a sanctuary to call home.

Now we’d love to give them someone to call family. ❤️