Who We Are at Hoofbeats ER Sanctuary
Our History
Our Story: Over 40 Years of Compassion and Care
For more than four decades, Hoofbeats Equine Rehabilitation Sanctuary has been a safe haven for horses and ponies in need. Our journey began in the mid-1980s, when our founder, Sharon Vieira, opened her heart and home to her first rescue. What started as a single act of kindness soon grew into a lifelong mission.
As word spread of Sharon’s compassion, more unwanted, neglected, and abandoned equines found their way to her care. By the year 2000, her unwavering dedication led to the formal creation of Hoofbeats ER Sanctuary, and just a few years later, it became a registered charity.
Today, Hoofbeats is run entirely by a small yet passionate group of volunteers. Their tireless efforts and deep love for animals have shaped Hoofbeats into the respected and trusted organization it is today. Every day, we are guided by one simple principle: the well-being of horses always comes first.
At Hoofbeats, rescue is only the beginning. We believe every horse deserves a second chance—and we’re here to make that happen.
Our Facilities
A Home Built for Horses — With Care at the Core
Our facilities may not be glamorous, and we’re the first to admit they’re still a work in progress. But what they may lack in polish, they more than make up for in purpose. Every space has been designed with the well-being of our horses and ponies at heart — ensuring they have a safe, calm, and nurturing environment to thrive in.
We focus on what truly matters: comfort, security, and the freedom for each animal to feel relaxed and respected. With thoughtful attention to their needs, we’ve created a home where horses and ponies come first — always
Adoptable Animals
🏇 Thinking About Giving a Horse or Pony a Loving New Home? 🐴
We regularly have wonderful horses and ponies looking for their perfect match—and it could be you!
Rehoming is not a race. It's not first come, first served. Our priority is finding the right human for each horse or pony in our care. That means we take the time to make sure every adoption is a great fit for both horse and adopter.
If you’re interested in loaning or adopting, we’d love to hear from you! Please message us via Facebook Messenger or email and tell us all about yourself—your experience, what kind of horse or pony you’re hoping for, and what you’d like to do together. The more details you share, the better chance we have of matching you with your perfect equine partner.
🌟 Adopt. Love. Ride. Make a difference in a horse’s life—and yours.
Need our Help
Thinking of Rehoming Your Horse or Pony? Trust Hoofbeats to Do What’s Right.
At Hoofbeats, we understand that life can change unexpectedly. Whether it's due to financial hardship, illness, behavioral challenges, loss of grazing, or any number of reasons, you may find yourself needing to make a difficult decision for your horse or pony.
That’s where we come in.
We welcome horses and ponies from all over the UK. The question we hear most is: "Why don’t people just sell them?" The answer is simple — trust.
Owners trust Hoofbeats because we’ve earned a reputation for putting the horse first. Always. From giving them the time and space to mentally reset, to working with experienced professionals for physical or emotional rehabilitation, we are committed to every horse's wellbeing.
When a horse is ready, we find them a carefully matched loan home — no rushing, no pressure. We stay in touch with our loan families to ensure continued care and, should circumstances ever change, the horse comes back to us. No horse is ever sold.
If you need a safe place for your horse or pony, please reach out. Email us with their story — every detail helps — and we’ll do our very best to help.
At Hoofbeats, it's not just rehoming. It’s a promise.