Ref. 28571-15A CHARITY set up to help Romanian horses is renewing an appeal for redundant tack and harness to expand its operation.

Friends of Romania Horses was set up four years ago and has helped owners and horses in the former communist country.

Co-founder Josie Lewis has made four trips taking donated equestrian gear.

The majority is bound for Iasi in the Moldovan region where the city's showjumping training yard has been re-equipped. Prior to that trainers managed with five ageing saddles between 25 horses.

Miss Lewis wants to expand the scheme to two other regions called Radauti and Dumbrava.

Miss Lewis, of Morstone Road, Wootton Bassett, hopes the equipment will help families dependent on horses for farming and transport.

She said: "Four years ago I went on a cultural awareness trip to Romania that revealed the country was short of basic equipment."

Miss Lewis says she has fallen in love with Romania.

"The people are very proud, and we have very little idea what they have gone through," she added.

Horses were not always been treated with respect. Under communism, they were rounded up and slaughtered because they were considered redundant.

Anyone with unwanted riding equipment can contact Miss Lewis on 01793 851207.