Learning the language of stillness
Now I listen for whispers:
The ear that turns,
The sign that says enough,
The glance that says thank you.
“The path of the horse”
Whisper Sanctuary is a registered charity founded by Gemma Whitehouse to offer a safe, compassionate, forever home to horses and ponies that are unwanted, neglected or abused
The sanctuary is a place where horses and ponies can live as close to their natural state as possible and are non-ridden. They live as a herd, wherever possible, in peace, cared for and listened to. Whisper Sanctuary believes in a partnership of equals for human and horse and all the activities endeavour to follow this guiding principle.
Horses flourish when given real choice, voice and agency. We honor their autonomy for a true partnership.
The name “Whisper Sanctuary” represents the focus of how we communicate and help offer the best life for these sensitive animals, with listening, gentleness and understanding.
Whisper Sanctuary was inspired by Gemma and Reggie’s journey together. Reggie is a beautiful warmblood horse who had spent time being dressage trained at a young age. At rising 5 years he joined Gemma’s family, very troubled and what followed was an awakening to a beautiful journey of listening to the subtle communication of a horse and building trust and respect. The early months together were difficult as they followed the traditional path of riding and the idea that owners train the horse.
Very quickly it transpired that it would be Reggie training Gemma and together they found a totally different way of being. It was Gemma’s husband, Mike who was the first to recognise that Reggie just wanted to be listened to and understood. Mike has had no interest or experience of horses but he was able to see Reggie as just a horse and the new path he needed. The connection that grew between them showed how right he had been. Finding a liberty expert, Rebecca Holloway and bare foot professional, Deborah Fowles in the early years helped plant the seed of this new path.
Ronnie joined the family as a companion to Reggie, he came with a very different journey, being sold through markets. When we first met him, he was completely shut down, providing a safe home with trust and love has allowed his abundance of personality to shine through. It has been wonderful to be part of him re-discovering his inquisitive nature and being able to express himself, even if that is occasionally through his teeth!! : )
Being a part of Reggie and Ronnies healing has been a huge privilege and Whisper Sanctuary wants to offer the same second chance to other horses and ponies in need.
Whisper Sanctuary is also a place of healing and growth for people. Gemma quickly realised that just being around these sensitive and beautiful animals could have a profound impact on a person’s well-being. The sanctuary welcomes volunteers to help care for horses and ponies and also planned activities to involve the community will be arranged including:
Whilst “Whisper Sanctuary” is fundraising to purchase an area of land with both woodland and open pasture for the horses to live as a herd together, the charity homes the horses on private land that has been kindly provided by local landowners for short periods of time.
It is planned that a barn will be built at the charity base to offer courses and activities for people to be part of the sanctuary and spend time with the horses. This barn will have sandpit areas for the horses to come in at their leisure and join the activities.
The charity is being established in response to a well-evidenced and growing welfare crisis in England and Wales, where existing equine rescue and rehoming charities are operating at or near full capacity with escalating cost pressures,
There is an urgent and ongoing need to provide adequately resourced and caring homes for neglected, abused and abandoned equines. This significant problem is exacerbated by weak regulation and cost of living pressures.
Whisper Sanctuary have a dedicated and passionate board of trustees who have a vision to not only provide increased capacity to this already stretched charitable sector but to also offer and promote an different way to be with and care for equines based on compassion and mutual respect.
Gemma has always been passionate about animals and in 2008 set up and ran a successful travel company for 15 years sending volunteers to African and South East Asia to assist in Wildlife Conservation and Community projects. With a Masters in Marketing and a Degree in Business Studies she now is using her skills, passion and energy to help horses and ponies in need and promote a more compassionate way of being with and owning horses. Her love of horses and her desire to make a difference are the foundation of Whisper Sanctuary.
Professor Michael Whitehouse is an eminent Orthopaedic Surgeon and Academic working for the University of Bristol as well as owning his own private practice. He is consistently ranked in the top 10 surgeons in the world in his specialty of hip surgery. He was previously the head of the Clinical Academic Training School for the South West and is a head of section in the University, responsible for over 80 members of staff. Mike has a lifelong passion for animal welfare and has so many invaluable skills to help Whisper Sanctuary make a real difference.
Patricia Hinton is a very compassionate lady who is dedicated to the welfare of all animals, but with a particular love for horses and their welfare. Patricia was a senior manager within the National Health Service for more than 15 years during which time. together with her team of staff, she was responsible for Medical Education Centres in two hospitals, helping to develop and manage educational programmes for doctors in all the major Bristol Hospitals. Her passion and many valuable skills will be a real asset to Whisper Sanctuary
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