Mouries Farm: history and activities
Mouries Farm first started its efforts to save Skyrian horses in 1995, intensifying our actions since 2011 with the creation of the non-profit organization “Skyrian horse breeding and conservation center”.
The small Skyrian horses are a rare horse breed dating back to ancient times which make it stand out world-wide. The industrialization of agriculture and the rise in sheep and goat farming have been detrimental to conservation efforts and led Skyrian horses to the verge of extinction.
There are 65 horses in Mouries Farm, which is 1/4 of the total population on the island and the largest population in the world! We know each and every horse with its name, we live side by side with them and take daily care of them with all our love.
The conservation efforts that started in the past decades have started showing some positive results. In 2006, the Greek Ministry of Agriculture inaugurated a 5-year plan to support rare animal breeds in Greece.
However, financial support for horse food ceased after only the first 2 years because the program abruptly stopped in 2006 due to the fact that when the application was submitted, it was not requested to submit documents for licensing the establishment of a stable which were later on requested. In 2019, after an 11-year hiatus since the last subsidy, started our current program which will run until 2023. We hope that this program will be renewed and will continue to support us and that there will not be a gap of financial support again for so many years, as this makes Skyrian horse breeding particularly challenging for farmers and conservation centers when there is no government assistance.
One of the most typical stories showcasing challenges related to horse breeding concern a very special horse: Elpida. Elpida was born with a leg dysplasia and was in need for an artificial limb. After intense efforts, Elpida got her state-of-the-art artificial limb and is living a happy life! The horse is now with our friend and ex-volunteer Marion Auffray at her farm on the island of Skyros.
Annual costs for each horse amount to 500 euros and cover medical and feeding expenses. Check how you can help Skyrian horses now!
Saving the breed, raising awareness about Skyrian horses across the globe and managing to have the resources to continue our efforts are our most important goals. Our dream is for Skyrian horses to return to their natural habitat at Mount Kochylas in Skyros at some point.
Meet the horsesPS. Mouries Farm would like to express our gratitude to orthopedics specialist Periklis Nikolopoulos for helping with Elpida’s artificial limb for free.
