More than a dozen rescued horses may be homeless by the end of next month as their sanctuary is set to be developed into an agritourism resort, the volunteers who care for them have warned.

“I don’t even want to think about what is going to happen to these horses once they are evicted. It will be tragic. We need help,” equine care volunteer Nick Dunkley said as he wandered through one of the farm’s hay speckled paddocks.

The sanctuary, Funny Farm in the limits of Bidnija, is home to 23 rescued horses, many of which have had a long history of abuse. The farm’s owner, however, is set to develop the 15-acre farm under a proposed agritourism government initiative.

“Some of these horses were badly treated and now bear the physical and psychological scars that go with that maltreatment. They need the special care they have been receiving here,” volunteer Estelle Duca said, adding that some will face the slaughter house if left without a suitable home.

“We are looking for a possible home for these horses. Ideally government land but at this point anything will do – we want to keep them together if we can.”

The Animal Welfare Council provides assistance to voluntary organisations but has no land at its disposal for the setting up of sanctuaries.

A former industrial pig farm, the sanctuary has housed rescued and retired horses since the early 1990s and has become synonymous with second chances.

“Race horses can only race until they’re 15 years old. After that they are usually put to sleep. Some get injured and are put down even younger. We rescue as many as we can – they are all happy here,” Ms Duca said.

While several volunteers pitch in to provide basic horse care, most do not have the means to take full responsibility for the horses. Providing a horse with basic care costs the organisation about €7 every day.

It will be tragic.We need help

Moreover, the cost of owning or renting a stable and all the veterinary fees that go with owning a horse can prove to be too expensive for most.

On the farm, a series of pig sties act as makeshift stables, providing ample shelter for 23 horses as well as a few foals and ponies.

Only six of the horses are fully sponsored and set to be relocated, while the rest of the “gentle giants” are facing a grim start to the New Year.

Cline, an imposing chestnut trotter, is 19 years old, well past his successful racing peak. He is one of the lucky few assured a home when the farm closes.

Moody, a slender black foal, on the other, has not been adopted and is facing a bitter end after years of cruel mistreatment.

“Moody was kept in a small dirty place. When we found him he was covered in cigarette burns. He still holds his ears back in fear,” Ms Duca said, as she fearlessly palmed carrots to the edgy foal.

“We are appealing for anybody that knows of a possible place for the horses to come forward. These animals should not be put down,” Ms Duca said.

Estelle Duca with one of the horses facing eviction from the Funny Farm sanctuary. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier