Working with horses can be as frustrating as rewarding. In the case of the Auckland Horse Haven it is also a labour of love.

Dedicated - Debbie Barker of Auckland Horse Haven. Photo Crispin Caldicott.

Founded by Debbie Barker four years ago, the Haven now has an enviable record in rehabilitating neglected or abandoned animals.

“I got my first horse when I was nine,” Debbie said, “and I think horses exercise a pull on your life forever.”

“After several horseless years, in various jobs, I found the draw just too strong and decided I’d really like to ride again.

“My mum, ever sensible, made me write out a list of things I really wanted in a horse – and I promptly fell in love with the first thing I saw. In fact, it wasn’t even broken in!

“Shortly after that I became aware of an animal that was not being looked after properly, and I was able to take it over.

“This was the beginning of the Auckland Horse Haven, and today we have around twenty animals spread over various properties.”

Horses come to the Haven for a number of reasons and not always because there has been neglect or cruelty involved.

“Usually owners bring us horses simply because they can’t cope; they don’t know what to do, how to handle them or simply don’t want them anymore, and frankly we’d far rather have an animal sooner rather than later.

 “We get brood mares regularly as the owners no longer want them for that purpose, but don’t have the skills and facilities to turn them into riding horses.

“We see ourselves as a stage in the life of a horse – we want to take on animals which have potential to go on to another stage.

“So the emphasis is always on rehabilitation, and building the confidence of the horse. Then they can move on to a new and fulfilling life with another owner who will give them all the attention they need, and the love and kindness they deserve.”

As Debbie pointed out, the horse world in New Zealand is small, and intelligence travels far and wide.

“A lot of owners don’t try and sell their horses if they have problems.

“We’d prefer it if they brought them straight to us as we can work through the problems or issues, as often the history is well-known.

“Give us a bit of time, and patience, and we can usually turn a horse around.”

Debbie counts herself very lucky to have two invaluable assistants – qualified riding instructor Elaine Van Den Berg from California, and dance and drama teacher Candy Cain, both of whom have been around horses for the majority of their lives.

“Candy and Elaine are completely dedicated, and I’m very grateful to have them with me.”

Another vital element in rehabilitating horses is diet.

Quite a number of the animals had arrived with very prominent ribs, and on very shaded paddocks in mid-winter there is very little grass. “Good feed and supplements are vital for rundown animals.

“We are lucky to have some really good sponsors, and we pay more attention to supplements than feed really as they can make such a difference so quickly to a rundown animal.”

Income for the Auckland Horse Havan mostly comes from the sale of horses, but as Debbie pointed out the home is more important than the money.

“We are very proud of our record as the majority of horses we have sold have stayed with the owners who bought them from us.

“We have to have a constant cycle of animals coming through to survive – some are just resting, we have others in training and others ready to sell.

“We are all qualified here in different areas, but we all have a passion for horses and their well-being. They have language, and body-language just like us.

“If you can read that, then you are well on the way to understanding them.

“So we have built up a fund of knowledge, and know instinctively what we can ask of an animal, and when.

“Sometimes they just need a little more time, and whatever they want, we will do our utmost to give them.”