AN equine charity has bought a full-sized horse mannequin after a crowdfunder raised nearly £200,000. 

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, who are based in Devon, has purchased 'Max' - a life-size fully articulated equine mannequin which is designed to help train emergency teams to rescue horses and ponies from trenches, ditches and cliffs and from water and mud entrapment. 

The mannequin was manufactured by Resquip, and is designed to be as lifelike as possible, with joint articulation and muscle definition. The Mare and Foal Sanctuary are hoping to offer professional extraction teams the opportunity to learn best practice alongside them in future training exercises. 

Syra Bowden, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s Head of Equine Welfare, said: "Too often we witness terrible cases of horses and ponies becoming trapped in tight spaces or stuck fast in rivers or bogs. A horse can weigh anything up to around 600kg, which is more than 90 stones, so such rescues are highly dangerous and can result in the death of the equine and injury to rescue team members.  

"Specialist training exercises using Max, our new horse mannequin, will help us to build emergency response partnerships and develop more effective extraction techniques. This kit could help to save lives in the future, so we would like to thank the generosity of our Crowdfunding supporters and particularly to Lesley for gifting so much in Jeff’s memory."

The crowdfunder campaign, which launched in the autumn, raised £9,289 or the £8,802 target. It then received a massive donation from Lesley Willan in memory of her friend Jeff Ward. As a thank you, the charity asked Lesley to name the new horse. 

"I wanted to help with the purchase because this was something that would have a direct impact on the welfare of the horses in the South West that Jeff cared so much about," she said. 

"I knew straight away that it should be called Max, after Jeff’s late dog. Sadly, Jeff’s partner Patricia passed away eight years before Max’s arrival. From then on, Max was always by Jeff’s side, providing comfort, companionship, and unconditional love until he passed away. So, in Max’s memory, I see the mannequin horse as a quiet, unassuming companion who is always there, ever ready to train people to rescue equines in a number of scenarios. 

"I’m proud that Jeff’s donation will make such a huge difference to the lives of horses, ponies and the people who care about them. This donation was about enabling one of his favourite charities to purchase much needed equipment and leave a lasting legacy."

The charity is planning to use Max to help advise members of the public about equine safety and welfare, and also to work with rescue teams in the South West on collaborative training exercises.