Rehua Ukrainaan

The feed will be delivered to a charitable foundation set up by the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation (UEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to assist Ukrainian horse owners, stables, clubs and riders.

The initial impetus for the Finnish effort came from Tom Gordin, Event Director of the Helsinki Horse Show, who provided horse feed for the horses of the Cossacks who performed at the Horse Show. It prompted more parties to seek ways to help, including Pekka Larsen of Teho Ratsujen, internationally competing star rider Joonas Vaahtera and the Riders' Federation. The two sides found each other through Gordini. Stable owner and breeder Aisa Aarnio-Wihuri, for her part, became involved through the KIPA racing service.

There is power in cooperation

Joonas Vaahtera, who has volunteered to drive the semi-trailer for the project, has agreed to collect the products in Finland. Vaahtera has competed internationally in show jumping and is now CEO of a health company.

"Of course, it is of paramount importance to take care of people in need first. But each of us can try to imagine the distress we would feel if suddenly we had no food to feed our horses. We are trying to alleviate this distress and thereby ease the conditions of the horse people in Ukraine in the midst of war. Every horse person can contribute by supporting the project," says Joonas Vaahtera.

Aisa Aarnio-Wihuri has been the contact person with the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation set up by the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation, UEF. In Poland, there is a warehouse about 50 km from the Ukrainian border, from where feed is transported to Ukraine with the help of the foundation.

"KIPA is also used in Ukraine. The technical platform, the UEF website and communication as well as the coordination of donations and aid needs are now being handled in cooperation with Martin and Tatiana. A large number of volunteers from different countries and language areas are also involved. Translations into many languages are relatively easy and quick, including Ukrainian," said Aisa Aarnio-Wihuri.

The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation has set up a website, Helpukrainehorses.eu, where people can offer and apply for help. Help can take many forms, such as transporting horses from the Ukrainian border, boarding horses, donating equipment, etc. Financial donations will be possible soon.

The organisation is looking for long-term partnerships with national equestrian associations, societies, clubs and animal welfare organisations. Such a partnership has now been established with the Finnish Equestrian Federation and is officially coordinated in Finland by Pekka Larsen. He is currently devoting all his time to sourcing feed and gathering partners. And there is plenty of work to be done, as people and companies are keen to help.

"This is the best way for me to help the Ukrainians. This is not a 100-metre sprint, it's a marathon. It takes patience and stamina. We would rather organise a few big projects than a lot of small ones. Small ones are difficult to manage, and you can't always be sure that the aid will reach its destination. There are a lot of wild projects going on at the moment. Donating money to the UEF Foundation is not yet possible and the horses need food now," Pekka Larsen stresses.

The first UEF Helping Hands aid truck will leave on Monday 14 March and will arrive in Poland, near the Ukrainian border, on Thursday. You can follow the progress of the shipment on the Riders' Union website and on social media, includingFacebook.

Everyone can donate

It is difficult, if not impossible, to transport Ukrainian horses across the border to safety. Donations are being sought to feed and shelter them in Ukraine and to evacuate them to neighbouring countries.

The horses are required to have an identification certificate or passport and various tests, which take several weeks to obtain, even in times of peace. Crossing the border into Poland, including tests, costs up to €850. In Romania, horses face a 21-day quarantine. Temporary quarantine stables are currently being planned at the Polish-Romanian border to move horses from Ukraine to safety as quickly as possible.

"However, some horse evacuations are taking place all the time. The obstacle is the queues of tens of kilometres and even several days at the border. Not all border posts allow horses to cross the border," says Aarnio-Wihuri.

There will be more than one horse feed transport if more feed is collected for donation. UEF Helping Hands has partnered with several horse supply shops. Through them, everyone has the opportunity to contribute to helping Ukrainian horses. You can order feed at a reduced price and pay a €2 delivery fee on the shops' websites and have your donation added to the UEF Helping Hands truck. Transports will be sent to Ukraine according to the needs there, and will be coordinated by Larsen.

Entrepreneurs in the horse sector have found other ways to help Ukraine. Estonian riders and trainers Kari Nevala and Minna Niemelä and Stable Nova are organising a training event on 20 March, the proceeds of which will be donated to the foundation. More information.

For more information, visit
Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation,https://helpukrainehorses.eu/Romania help Facebook page

Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation

The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation (registered in Belgium) supports Ukrainian horse owners, riding schools, athletes, equestrian clubs, stables and professionals through a grant from the FEI (International Equestrian Federation). We provide consultancy and other needs-based assistance on the ground, including identifying stable options and assisting with the movement of horses, collecting quotes for supplies and organising logistics to deliver supplies to horse owners and their horses, both in Ukraine and/or to temporary locations in Europe.

We monitor the situation regarding the welfare of horses and cooperate with the FEI and national equestrian federations.

Our pledge is that as many funds as possible will be channelled directly to help Ukrainian riders and their horses in Ukraine.

Follow our news to find out more about our activities and how we use donations. Use our chat to ask for help, offer assistance or enquire about our progress.

A special account and hotline was opened to support the Ukrainian horse community, save horses and raise funds for the Ukrainian defenders.
More information: helpukrainehorses.eu