Lanzarote Information

Christine Potter is a lady with a vision, some amazing contacts and the determination to set up a horse riding centre with a difference in Lanzarote. The odds are stacked against Christine’s plan but her enthusiasm and the knowledge that this venture is right for Lanzarote keep her motivated. Christine has lived in Lanzarote since 2002 with her husband Steve and two children Amber and Sam.

Rescue & Retirement Centre for Horses and Donkeys

Christine has rescued 4 horses locally, the latest is Ged (photos below) who still attacks his feed bucket like there’s no tomorrow but his neck wounds caused by his harness are healing, he’s filling out nicely apart from his rump which is still skin and bones. He whinnies and Christine explains to me that he was left on his own which isn’t good for horses as they are pack animals and need the company of others, now he is back amongst other horses, he is worried when they go out from their stables they won’t come back and he calls for them. The whinnies are getting less frequent as he is beginning to realise that the horses come and go from their stalls and nobody has gone missing.

In another case, Tara’s owner had died and she was kept by the family who visited occasionally to throw some feed in. I watched Amber, Christine’s daughter walk the horse around the paddock (photo right), she explained to me that on arrival Tara had bucked to unseat her rider every time they tried to mount her, but if someone walked her with a lead reign, Tara would settle down. It took 3 days of walking with a leader before Tara would accept that the rider was not going to harm her and she could relax.

These rescue horses have their problems and each need love, care and attention to coax them back into good health and happiness. Christine needs to raise €1,500 to register to become an official charity, she has already raised some of the funds required. The Tartan Teddy in Puerto del Carmen are holding an awareness day on Sunday the 23rd August to help, part of the takings for the food and drink on the day will be paid towards the charity funds and there will be raffles and entertainment.

Paperwork

Each horse on the island should have a license, this paperwork should be renewed every 3 years, this system is held by one person and when unavailable through sickness and holidays it grinds to a halt. The details are sketchy and out of date which means that many of the islands horses are not legally registered and its difficult to know how many there are on Lanzarote. Christine wants to help update this system and then work with the authorities to implement routine checks to make sure they are being cared for, that their paperwork has been renewed and they are receiving their annual vaccinations to stop the spread of disease.

Police

It can be heartbreaking when an animal is reported as being mistreated and in need of rescuing, many owners don’t want people to interfere, and there are some horrific stories of cruelty. Christine would like to see 2 dedicated policemen to cover the island that can be contacted when a cruelty case is reported and these officers can be trained in the local rights and laws relating to the horses and donkeys so that they can liaise with the owners whilst the animal is treated or removed.

Disabled Facilities

Specially trained horses with the right equipment can offer a liberating experience for disabled children and adults, many of whom spend their life strapped into chairs or supported by adults.

Sport

Both the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura do not consider horse riding to be a sport although it is an Olympic event. This concept needs to be updated, in order to develop these islands as a destination for horse riding and training. Christine has the contacts to attract horses and riders from Europe, they are already looking for destinations within Spain and are keen to come to Lanzarote for competitions and training.

Services

Lanzarote now has a qualified horse vet but as yet there are still no clinic facilities, if a horse was to break a leg or twist their gut, what would normally be a quick operation would mean death for a local horse as they would have to be put down.

Facilities

Palm Tree Ranch is situated on the outskirts of Soo, they are not connected to electricity and rely on a generator which they run for about 5 hours per day. This lack of electric means that it can be dark at the stables at night, any emergency is dealt with by torch light, more importantly, no electric, no water pump and therefore no water. The property is connected for a mains water supply and aljibe, however the water pipes have been laid above ground which means the water is too hot for the horses to drink in the summer. Christine has approached Endesa to suggest that they cover their roof spaces with solar panels, these would supply the local grid for Soo and in return they have free electric – this is similar to a scheme that works in Germany for rural farmers.

Food & Supplies

The horses here are fed imported food, this is in short supply and is often held pending clearance at the docks. I was shown two horses who used to be fed on the local maize crop before they came to Palm Tree Ranch, when the horses were given their injections they became seriously ill and nearly died. It was discovered that the local big black beetle lays its eggs in the maize, these eggs had hatched inside the horses and following the vaccinations they had worked their way out of the horses – one of them had 25 beetles escape! Christine explained that feeding is difficult as she is always trying to work out what is missing from their diets, its not as easy as in the UK where they can have feed and paddock. Lots of the treatments and feed supplements have to be imported as not locally available.

Lessons

Palm Tree Ranch offers an hour long riding lesson in the paddock which includes tacking up and grooming priced at €35 (residents €30).

They can also offer horses on loan and stabling.

The Vision

An International equine centre with an Olympic sized indoor arena so that you could ride in any weather condition, with seating for competitions and seminars. On-site clinic for the treatment of horses and other large animals. Accommodation for tourists and residents, bar and café area for refreshments, livery facilities, tack shop etc.

Palm Tree Ranch Needs Your Help

Christine needs your help, there is a huge wish list apart from desperately needed funds, here’s how you can start to help make a difference:

Do you know a local lawyer with a love of animals? Palm Tree Ranch needs help with the red tape, do you know someone who would be interested?

Are you throwing out any gas appliances such as a fridge?

Can you help with a wind turbine project be it the battery, the know how etc?

Do you have time on your hands? Would you mind weeding? Can you build fences? Do odd maintenance jobs?

Do you have access to a digger? Some of the paddocks need leveling.

Any old unwanted building materials such as bags of concrete or sand?

Even the old dead wood poles from the agave plants (photo right) are useful!

For further information please contact Christine on 618 901 049.