AN AREA used to rehabilitate horses at a Dorset animal rescue centre has been restored thanks to two generous donations.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue (MGAR) is celebrating the restoration of a 'sand school' at its site in Purbeck, which was funded by a £15,000 donation from Animal Friends Pet Insurance and £8,000 from Petplan.

The sand school is used to rehabilitate rescue horses, who often have long-running health or behavioural issues, and gives them a safe, contained space to recover.

The funding has allowed the centre to patch up the previous sand school which has sections fenced off and insufficient drainage.

The soft surface of the sand school helps those horses recovering from injuries to exercise without putting unnecessary pressure on their feet and legs.

It also allows restrictive grazing and helps manage horses' weight while allowing them to exercise freely.

Kate Wickins, manager at the Church Knowle centre, said: "We are so thankful to receive this funding and be able to now make use of the area.

It will help rescue horses like Chelsea and Brandy, two Anglo Arab Cobs, who came to us at 14-years-old having spend their entire life in the same field with almost no handling.

"They had never worn head collars or been lead in hand, they had also not received routine veterinary checks or dental care.

"This is quite typical of the equines we are asked to help with. These horses needed to learn to wear head collars, be lead in hand and generally accept human handling and interaction.

"Chelsea has progressed very well with us and is now enjoying the new sand school."

Patricia Gardiner, chief marketing officer at Animal Friends, said: "Following my visit to the centre and seeing firsthand the extensive work needed to the sand school, it was clear that we had to help.

"The work carried out with the horses in the sand school is vital for the process of enabling successful rehabilitation and rehoming.

"With the new funding, MGAR can now provide more horses with a safe space in which they can get the gently care they need and learn how to trust once again, enabling them to find loving homes for the future.

"MGAR supports all kinds of animals, helping them to find forever homes and Animal Friends is proud to be able to support the incredible work they do in some small way."