Sharon Newsome, co-founder of the IHWT, says "I am delighted that Heike has chosen to be an official member of the IHWT team, we are all thrilled that she will help us promote the very important work the charity is doing, rescuing and re-training horses."

Working in the industry, welfare is something Holstein feels strongly about and wanted to help promote Ireland as a country forging ahead with Welfare as its priority. She has also highlighted the need for comprehensive Equine Identification System being implemented in Ireland as a matter of urgency to create a system whereby owners who consistently abuse or neglect their horses are held accountable.

"When I got involved with the Irish Horse Welfare Trust it opened my eyes to the real problems happening on the ground and how lapse the legislation and enforcement is in Ireland with regard to equine cruelty and neglect," she says.