Quest Equine Welfare Appeal

Quest Equine Welfare Inc. is a not for profit association, committed to improving the welfare of equines by way of providing education, advice, support, promoting owner responsibility, and where appropriate and possible, rehabilitating equines that have been victims of neglect and are in need of intensive care. Quest also aims to highlight the plight of the far too many equines in Australia whose well-being is compromised, so they may live happier, healthier lives, free of suffering.

Quest is committed to raising the public profile of equines in terms of their individual needs and fundamental value as companion animals. We hope to dispel the misguided concept held by some owners that equines require little in the way of animal husbandry, handling and social interaction. We provide education on equine welfare and husbandry via a number of mediums that target a wide audience in the hope that this message will be heard and understood by as many people as possible; thereby improving the health and safety of many equines across the country.

Quest is currently providing rehabilitation/care for a number of horses that have come from various backgrounds; some have been subjected to extreme neglect, some have chronic health issues unable to be adequately managed by their previous owners, while others are aged and unfortunately deemed unwanted by previous owners.

Quest is also raising an orphan foal that was surrendered at less than a day old. The tiny foal, 'Joy,' required intensive veterinary intervention during her first 24 hours, after which her care was transferred to Quest's President who has since been managing the foal's every need. Joy's artificial feeding regime was a labour of love, with feeds initially given every hour (around the clock). Joy continues to make excellent progress and is currently healthy and thriving. Considerable effort is being given to meet the psychological needs of Joy, and she is being 'buddied' up with a gentle pony to assist her to learn to socialise in an equine sense.

Our website, which also hosts a popular and interactive forum, is a valuable interface where we provide advice, fact sheets and support to equine owners and the community as a whole. It is via this portal where the public are able to gain contact details and assistance for equines deemed at risk; whether it is in an emergency situation or chronic/long term problem that requires intervention. Our Facebook page has an ever growing following of enthusiastic Quest supporters who are keen to help us promote and advocate for better equine welfare.

How will the funds be used?

Equines that are surrendered into the care of Quest Equine Welfare Inc. have commonly been the victims of dire or emergent circumstances. Upon entry into Quest's care, animals undergo an intensive period of rehabilitation. Most of the horses, ponies, and donkeys rehabilitated by Quest have complex co-existing problems; many are undernourished and/or have severely neglected feet and teeth which require intense and ongoing management by Quest carers and allied equine health professionals. Others may have specific health problems arising from injury, infection, congenital malformation or acute conditions, all of which are treated accordingly.

The majority of equines that come into the care of Quest have been subject to neglect and/or abuse and some have been in many different homes. Consequently, these factors can have an adverse effect on the animals' physical health but equally as distressing is the impact on their psychological well-being. Often there will be a resultant distrust of humans manifested by the display of various behavioural problems. Every effort is made by Quest to address the psychological needs of equines in our care and this often necessitates intense handling and retraining once trust is re-established between horse and humans.

Most often, the dietary needs of these animals require expert management and supplementation with additional nutrients for an extended period of time.

You can play a valuable role in helping an equine that is in the care of Quest. Your donation will make a significant difference in assisting Quest to meet the costs associated with the rehabilitation of a horse, pony or donkey. Quest's primary role is to make positive changes to the lives of the animals in care, and accordingly this is the key area where our resources are spent.

Your generous donation to Quest will be used to support the housing, nutrition, veterinary care, farrier services, chiropractic and holistic therapies, regular dental services, rugging, supplements, and all other provisions that are assessed as being beneficial for the horse in achieving the best outcome for its health and well-being.

The cost of each horse's rehabilitation varies and is dependent upon its individual health problems but suffice to say, the costs of caring for some animals can be very high. We offer rehabilitation to each animal based upon its likely or foreseeable health outcomes rather than the costs involved.

Key areas of expenditure

Meeting the costs associated with the rehabilitation and ongoing care of horses, ponies and donkeys surrendered into Quest's care