The site of an equestrian charity helping to protect and promote a critically endangered native breed has been put on the market, sparking concerns over the future of the organisation.
The Suffolk Punch Trust is a working stud farm breeding the rare Suffolk Punch Horse and helping to raise awareness of the breed.
Its 120-acre base and accompanying buildings, visitor centre and equestrian facilities at Sink Farm in in Hollesley, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, has been put on the market for £2.4 million.
In February the charity announced it was closing its visitor centre, cafe and shop due to high costs, and the latest news of the farm’s sale has led to questions surrounding the future of the charity.
A spokesperson for the Suffolk Punch Trust told Your Horse they were unable to comment at this stage.
England’s oldest working breed
The Suffolk Punch is in the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s ‘priority one’ category, which is classed as being of most concern.
The horses were once popular for working the land, and are the oldest English breed of working horse, but when tractors took over farm work their numbers went into decline.
Suffolk Punch horses have been bred at The Suffolk Punch Trust’s Colony Stud for more than 260 years.
Your Horse will share more details on the status of the charity as it becomes available.
Lead image by Shutterstock
