An animal welfare charity is appealing for people to come forward to foster horses, donkeys and mules over the winter months after becoming "overwhelmed" in recent weeks.
My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR), which operates in Moyvalley, Co Kildare, and Cobh, Co Cork, says it is caring for more than 360 equines.
It is looking for people who can provide "land and shelter" to animals in counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
MLHR's Martina Kenny said the situation was dire.
"There's a crisis and every year there's a crisis. There are so many young foals ending up in cruel situations and it's us out 24 hours assisting the gardaí and constantly helping. It's a sad situation, and we are really under-resourced right now," she said.
The charity says it will fully support anyone who can offer a home, and that suitable foster carers will be "saving lives".
"We just want a place for those horses to go and rest and be looked after. We're just so inundated with so many horses coming in right now that we just need the help. We will supply any support that people need," Ms Kenny added.
MLHR is the latest animal welfare charity to appeal for public support this winter to help tackle the worsening equine crisis.
Last month, the Co Cork-based Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, said the number of donkeys requiring rescue, rehoming, and sanctuary care had reached "unsustainable and unmanageable levels"
It said the crisis was being driven by "a perfect storm" of chronic, long-term irresponsible breeding, a lack of education and awareness, and human hardships triggered by Covid-19.
Two other charities, Hungry Horse Outside and Sathya Sai Sanctuary, have also appealed for help in recent weeks.
