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Fettercairn Youth Horse Project was established in 1995 to channel young people's interest and respect for horses into a constructive community activity, which provides the members with opportunities to develop personal, social, and vocational skills.

Located in an area of Dublin that faces economic and social instability, the care and maintenance of the horses provides local children an outlet and escape from drugs and crime.

In August 2000 a 20 unit stabling facility was opened on 13 acres of a large stretch of undeveloped land. In addition to the stabling area there is a food-store area and tack rooms.

This stabling facility is the first of its kind in Ireland and will be used as a prototype for the development of similar projects around the country. The community's involvement extends to help purchase food for the animals. Every week children and their parents sell tickets to raise money to purchase food from a local farm.

Support from The Ireland Funds has been used to assist setting up the stabling and exercise horse facility at Fettercairn. In addition, funding has been used to purchase training and educational equipment and to help develop a library of books and videos for its members.

“…The Fettercairn Project is the model which we should develop and demonstrate as an achievable, low cost, no frills solution for others to follow”
John Sharples, (former) Director, International League for the Protection of Horses

In the summer of 1995, a group of adults and young people in Fettercairn started the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project. Within a couple of months, the project was catering for 40 young people between the ages of 10 and 21. The aim is to channel the young people’s love of horses into a constructive community activity providing them with opportunities to develop personal, social and vocational skills.

Horses have traditionally played an important part in Irish culture. They have had a key role in Dublin commercial activities for centuries and horses still hold an important place in the hearts of many inner city and suburban adults and young people. In order to control these urban horses, the Government introduced legislation which is being implemented by Local Authorities throughout the country. The legislation has required many suburban communities to develop enclosed and controlled stabling and grazing facilities in order to maintain their equine traditions.

FYHP has had a positive impact on the general community and the environment, complying with and indeed complementing the Control of Horses Act. FYHP is situated on a 7 acre site provided by South Dublin County Council in Fettercairn, beside the Fettercairn Community Centre and Westside Markets.

The land is owned by South Dublin County Council, who have provided the land for the use by the project.

The Department of Agriculture, South Dublin County Council, the Royal Dublin Society & the International League for the Protection of Horses have endorsed this project as a prototype for other communities

The project has successfully trained young people in Fettercairn in Tallaght in horse riding skills, animal welfare and horse management skills, Members of the project have accessed training and work opportunities at stables and equine events (including the RDS horse show, Punchestown Summer School and horse shows in Broadmeadow and Mullingar)

The project has been accessed by hundreds of young people in the area since it was first established.

Activities

• Youth training programme in the fundamentals of horse riding and care for horses to early school leavers and people with a learning disability
• Training modules are provided to local schools and local youth groups
• Accredited training programmes for young people who wish to embark on a career in horse riding instruction
• Riding and animal therapy to disabled young people in the area
• Training for Traveller groups and young people in the Tallaght area
• Extended membership of the Horse Project’s Youth Clubs, providing horse care and riding opportunities to young people wihin a structured and disciplined environment

Funding

Funding for the operational costs of the project is required, on an ongoing basis. The project engages in fundraising and generates some of its own income, but providing its services is a costly exercise, and support is always required. The annual costs of the project include upkeep, salaries, equipment, training programmes, feed and care of horses. Our total annual costs are in excess of €70,000 ($67,000).