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What we do

Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society (“EHPPS”) was founded in 1983 and has been on its 55 acre site at Pitsea Hall Lane since 1986. EHPPS attained registered charity status in 1987.  

The Charity was established for the promotion of animal welfare and, in particular, to take all appropriate measures to protect equines from cruelty and to prevent the infliction of suffering and, where necessary, to take equines into care for rehabilitation.  

We hope to help develop knowledge of the needs of horses, as well as other animals and birds, and mankind’s responsibilities towards all living creatures.

3 horse faces

We are not a retirement home.   Where possible, suitable foster homes are found for our animals when they are completely well – whether they go out to homes as rideable horses or as a companion to the fosterer’s horse.  (Horses are gregarious animals and need the company of others.)  

Pye and scooby 18 9 16

We currently have hundreds of rehabilitated horses and ponies in foster homes all over the country, regularly checked by our Fostering Monitors to ensure that they are being lovingly cared for.  All fostered animals remain the sole responsibility of the Society; so if for instance, there is a change in circumstance of the fosterer (e.g. loss of job, ill health) the animal can be returned to us.

Our Field Officers investigate welfare concerns that are brought to our attention almost daily and will go out to help any horse or pony in need of our assistance within the County.

EHPPS and the environment

We are privileged to be occupying a site which is a SSSI (“Site of Special Scientific Interest”) and we work closely with Natural England to ensure that the bio-diversity of the land is not compromised is any way.  

The Sanctuary is also a safe haven for wild birds in the area as well as a huge variety of other wildlife.  

We hope to help develop knowledge of the needs of the animals and birds and our responsibilities towards all living creatures.

EHPPS in the community

EHPPS is a local employer, hoping to increase its work-force when finances permit, to enable us to expand our welfare, conservation and education work in the community. Our staff frequently have to stay on watch at the Sanctuary overnight when we have severe medical cases or new-born foals, or threats by the alleged owners in cruelty cases to seize an animal back.  Thanks to the dedication of these people, ours is very much a 24/7 operation.  But that level of dedication makes it an expensive one.

SONIA EHPPS ADIOTION FOR AIH 2014

Work experience for equine and veterinary students provides a wonderful start to facing real experiences with the animals, all the way up to major illnesses and first aid for injured animals.  They get their hands well and truly dirty!

EHPPS works within the Essex community to maintain equine welfare on our beautiful site, to the benefit of everyone, from road-users to schools to the local businesses which support us.  But we need to be able to rely upon a guaranteed cash-flow so that we can effectively continue to serve our community and our animals as they deserve.

EHPPS Educational

The EHPPS facilities are not only used for the benefit of Essex’s horses and ponies as they are used by veterinary students and equine management apprentices who gain valuable work experience working alongside our staff.  We offer a “hands on” environment to develop a apprentice’ s knowledge about the animals, their needs and dependencies.  They get first hand experience of animal health and welfare.

Meet the team

Leigh Perry

Leigh Perry

Chairman / Sanctuary Manager

AISHA STEWART

Aisha Stewart

Treasurer

Deborah and mitch

Deborah Platt

Secretary

JOANNE HILL

Joanne Hill

Managing Fostering Officer

Claire Norris

Claire Norris

Trustee

STACEY LANE

Stacey Lane

Show Secretary

Christine Mills

Christine Mills

Assistant Sanctuary Manager

Dawn Bates

Dawn Bates

Head Groom

Chloe Mccready

Chloe Mccready

Volunteer Coordinator / Groom

Kacey Jackson

Kacey Jackson

Groom

Lily West

Lily West

Apprentice

Ellie May Webster

Ellie-May Webster

Weekend Groom

Libby Pender

Libby Pender

Weekend Groom

Laura davies

Laura Davies Memorial

Our dear friend and colleague, 21 year old Laura Davies tragically died on the evening of Friday 3 July 2015.

Laura had been a valued member of the team at Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society for some two and a half years. She was dedicated to our rescue animals, and one of the most caring and compassionate people we had the pleasure of knowing and working with.

Laura was such a special person who will be so missed by us all.

Leigh Perry

Chairman / Sanctuary Manager

Leigh joined EHPPS as Assistant Sanctuary Manager in May 2014, having spent 15 years in retail.  Leigh has her own horses including the Sanctuary's very own Kali EHPPS, she also has three rescue dogs, Todd, Po and Crumble.  Leigh stepped up into her role of Sanctuary Manager in January 2019, ahead of Sue Allery's retirement in November 2020.

Leigh Perry

Aisha Stewart

Treasurer

Aisha joined the team at the beginning of 2018 as our Treasurer.  She has two husky dogs and also makes some beautiful celebration cakes.

AISHA STEWART

Deborah Platt

Secretary

As a long time supporter of the EHPPS, Deborah joined our team as Secretary in April 2017. The love of her life has always been horses but Deborah has had many pets over the years. She currently shares her home with her beloved guinea pigs.  You are more than likely meet Deborah at our open days.

Deborah and mitch

Joanne Hill

Managing Fostering Officer

Jo manages all the Fostering Offices for EHPPS and ensures that every fostered horse and pony receives regular visits to monitor that all is well.  A huge undertaking with some 25 Fostering Officers and over 250 horses in loan homes. 

JOANNE HILL

Claire Norris

Trustee

After the loss of her beloved horse, Claire missed being around them and started volunteering in 2017.  She regularly helps out with yard duties, open days, shows and other events.  Claire has 4 black rescue cats that share her home.

Claire Norris

Stacey Lane

Show Secretary

Stacey has been volunteering for EHPPS for many years and has fostered Harley EHPPS since May 2013. Stacey organises the EHPPS showing shows and also attends events throughout the year promoting awareness and raising funds for the Charity.

STACEY LANE

Christine Mills

Assistant Sanctuary Manager

Chris has been with EHPPS since October 2015.    She took Khan EHPPS on foster in July 2018 having fallen in love with him from the moment she started working at the Sanctuary.  Chris and her family are involved in fostering Springer Spaniels which is how she ended up with her own Springer Spaniel, Bentley. 

Christine Mills

Dawn Bates

Head Groom

Dawn joined EHPPS in February 2016 as a stable groom.  Dawn is a qualified AI (Approved Instructor) and has her own horses, Chester, Millie and EHPPS very own Pebbles.

Dawn Bates

Chloe McCready

Volunteer Coordinator / Groom

Chloe joined the team in October 2020.  She has had previous experience in animal welfare.  She shares a flat with her husband and their six dogs, Jackson, Jill, Lola, Ralph, Elsie and Indi.

Chloe Mccready

Kacey Jackson

Groom

Kacey joined the team as our weekend groom in April 2024, taking on a a full-time role with us in June 2024. She has her own horse called Mistery and two of EHPPS very own foster ponies, Houdini, who she took on in July 2023 and Bambi, who she took on in October 2024. She has four dogs, Pixie, Chip, Shy and Simba, 2 of which are rescues. Kacey also has a parrot called Ronnie and a kitten called Loki.

Kacey Jackson

Lily West

Apprentice

Lily started her KEITS level 2 equine apprenticeship with us in August 2024.  She currently has her own horse, Hugo, who she hopes to event.  Once her apprenticeship is completed, she would like to go to university to continue developing a career within the equestrian sector.

Lily West

Ellie-May Webster

Weekend Groom

Ellie has had horses since the age of 7 and currently have two called Matilda and Puzzle.  She has completed her level 3 Animal Management course at college and is now studying Dog Grooming alongside working here at Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, which she is really enjoying so far.

Ellie May Webster

Libby Pender

Weekend Groom

Libby has a rescue dog called Arthur, who came from Cyprus and has her own horse called Albert.  She is currently studying animal care at college n joined the team in October 2024.

Libby Pender

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