Tribute has been paid to Rosemary Kind, the founder of the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, who died peacefully aged 83 on Monday June 6.
Rosemary established the sanctuary, which includes Coombe Park equestrian and education centre near Totnes, in 1988 after learning of the plight of Dartmoor ponies around that time, when many were being sold for meat each autumn.
She set up the sanctuary, which became a fully fledged charity in 1992, to ensure the smallest, weakest, injured or most unwanted horses and ponies would have care and a home for life.
Now in its 30th year the charity is holding fast to Rosemary’s vision.
Chief executive, Sarah Jane Williamson, said: “The loss of Rosemary is felt deeply by our staff and Mare and Foal Sanctuary supporters all over the UK.
“Our heartfelt condolences are with her family at this sad time.
“Her vision, passion and determination to create the Mare and Foal Sanctuary is now her legacy that will live on in all that we do.
“Together with our supporters, we are working hard to provide a safe sanctuary for horses, ponies and foals, expand our welfare outreach and advice to the equine owning community and deliver equine assisted services to people in our communities.”
Rosemary was born in London in 1939 - the youngest of four children.
At the outbreak of World War II her siblings were evacuated but Rosemary stayed at home with her mother while her father served in the Royal Air Force.
Often animals were her only company including a rescue dog called Peter who followed her everywhere.
Rosemary also loved horses and used to sneak out of school to visit the horse market at nearby Southall.
What she witnessed there stayed with her for life and ignited her passion to save all equines in need.
After leaving school Rosemary worked as a secretary and an usherette to make ends meet but spent every spare moment helping out at the local riding stables.
She moved to Chudleigh in 1987 with her husband, Brian, where she finally had land and stables of her own, which were both soon full of rescued horses and ponies.
Rosemary gave a home to unwanted equines and brought them back to health.
A spokeswoman from the Mare and Foal Sanctuary said: “To Rosemary, life was sacred even if to others it was dispensable.
“She was incredibly touched by the plight of the Dartmoor ponies at that time when so many were being sold for meat each autumn.
“She desperately wanted to do more and, after much research and a lot of advice from others already in the equine rescue world, she formed the Mare and Foal Sanctuary in 1988 and registered it as a fully-fledged charity in 1992.
“She instilled her ethics in her children, Syra and Simon, both of whom joined her later to work in the Mare and Foal Sanctuary.
“She dedicated her life to rescuing and looking after equines, only retiring in 2013.”
Later in the year, the Mare and Foal Sanctuary is planning a Celebration of Life event for staff and supporters to honour Rosemary and the difference she has made to the lives of horses, ponies and foals.
Anyone who wishes to leave a message of condolence can do so at www.mareandfoal.org/rosemary-kind-messages or by emailing [email protected]