Drought-stricken farmers around Australia are struggling to feed their horses, meaning many horses are sent to the saleyards, and some - sadly - to the abattoirs.
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Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley owners Debbie and Jerry Schwartz and their children Dane, Lara and Amber have made it their mission to save as many horses as possible.
The family and a small band of volunteers have established Lovedale Horse Rescue, and have so far saved 19 horses, with the hope of finding "forever homes" for each and every one.
The idea came about on Christmas Eve two years ago, when Ms Schwartz came across some starving horses on a property near Cessnock Airport.
After learning that the owner had not been around for some time, Ms Schwartz - a lifelong horse enthusiast - rushed into Cessnock to buy some feed.
The Schwartzes then built some stables in a shed on their land adjacent Crowne Plaza, and set about spreading the word that their facility was available.
They have recently partnered with Kim Murdock from Murchessons Equine Wine and Dine Tours, who came to them after her stables at Hanging Tree vineyard became inundated with rescue horses.
Under their partnership, horses will go to Lovedale Horse Rescue where they will be fed and health-checked, then onto another property elsewhere in Lovedale for training, and eventually re-homed.
They are also working with Hunter Valley Horse Haven to establish a horse register.
Lovedale Horse Rescue volunteer Kim Murdock and founder Debbie Schwartz, with her children Lara, Dane and Amber and one of the many horses they have rescued. Of the 19 horses saved so far, seven were bought at auction at Gloucester - and would have otherwise been sent to the abattoir.
The other 12 horses came from a property near Bathurst where the owner could no longer afford to keep them.
"Some of these horses are people's beloved pets," Ms Schwartz said. "There is nothing wrong with these horses - the owners simply couldn't afford to keep them.
"Some of the horses are only two-to-three years old. They have long lives ahead of them.
"We want people to know, if anyone's desperate, we're here for them."
Lovedale Horse Rescue welcomes volunteers with experience with horses. If you can help, message the Facebook page or call Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on 4991 0000.
A crowd-funding page has been created to help cover the costs of feeding, microchipping, and vet and farrier bills. To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/hunter-valley-horse-rescue.
