Charity ‘desperately’ appealing for help following Storm Arwen
A Scottish-based equine charity that works with vulnerable young people and military veterans is desperately appealing for help following the trail of destruction left by Storm Arwen.
Horseback UK founders Emma and Jock Hutchinson had no power, light, heating, hot water or phone connection for six days, and a herd of 33 horses to care for.
Significant repairs are needed to buildings and shelters as a result of the storm’s force.
“After a tough 18 months we were thoroughly enjoying getting back to work, so to be thwarted again really tested our resilience,” said Emma.
“The storm has done a lot of damage and we desperately need to repair or replace the field shelters for the horses. The herd is pretty tough and can cope with quite a lot but the relentless rain and wind we get can wear them down and have a negative impact on their health.
“And when it snows, they really do need a place to shelter. These horses are part of our family and we are pulling out all the stops to get them the shelter they need as fast as possible. We desperately need donations to help pay for the materials to build and repair the shelters.”
The charity, based in Aberdeenshire, helps veterans and vulnerable young people acquire new coping strategies, life skills and build resilience, by working with horses.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Emma said the destruction from Storm Arwen has also led to the decision to create a “storm fund”, to help the charity weather any future unexpected challenges.
“We get no Government or council funding, so we are completely reliant on donations,” she added.
“It is the generosity of the public which enables us to do our work. If we could gather a new fund, it would help us to do additional practical things, like build new field shelters for the horses to protect them against wind and weather, and invest in a generator to keep the lights on.
“But it would also act as a bulwark against unheralded events, like pandemics or shifts in the economy. We want to make sure that Horseback UK can rely on the sturdiest foundations. Whatever the literal or metaphorical weather, we need to be able to go on helping veterans with life-changing injuries, as well as the young people we work with in the local community.
“We want to ensure that our future is stable, however unstable the external world can sometimes seem. And that is our next, dedicated mission.”
For more information and to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/horseback
You might also be interested in:
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.