If you’ve ever wondered where retired racehorses go after the applause fades and the racetrack dust settles, the answer – thankfully – is not always bleak. Hidden in the countryside of Siggiewi, RMJ Horse Rescue Malta is giving these horses something precious: a second chance. I visited recently, and it might just be one of the most moving, joyful, muddy-boot days I’ve had in Malta.
Why RMJ Horse Rescue Exists
Every year, hundreds of horses arrive in Malta for sport – mainly racing and polo. But space on the island is limited. Once they’re injured, tired, too slow or simply “not profitable”, many are at risk of slaughter.
RMJ steps in right there.
What started around 2016 with a handful of rescued horses has grown into the island’s only NGO able to take in and rehabilitate neglect and abandonment cases. Today, the sanctuary cares for over eighty horses, many of whom arrive underweight, frightened, unwell, or simply confused by the world around them.
And yet, when you walk through the stables, there’s no sadness in the air. There’s softness. Patience. Warm hay. Nibbles on sleeves. Horses learning that humans can be kind.
A Sanctuary Built on Pure Heart
Here’s what makes RMJ special: it’s run entirely by volunteers. No corporate backing. No government-funded comfort cushion. Just everyday people giving their time, sweat, and genuine love.
In 2019, the team moved to a former abandoned pig farm and began transforming it, bit by bit, plank by plank. Today, that patch of land is:
- A home for rescue horses
- A rehabilitation centre
- A place for children to learn respect for animals
- A green pocket of peace in the middle of Malta
It’s not fancy. It’s real. It’s alive. And it works.
Project “Back to the Green”
This is where the story gets truly uplifting.
Once horses recover, many become candidates for RMJ’s “Back to the Green” program, where they are rehomed abroad—mostly to the UK—to spend the rest of their lives on actual green fields (yes, grass, not limestone).
On average, nine horses a month make that journey.
Former racehorses who once ran circles for entertainment now learn joy, stillness, and affection. Some even become gentle riding companions or therapy horses. It’s the kind of plot twist you wish every animal story had.
What You Can Do to Help (Even If You Don’t Own Riding Boots)
Here’s the reality:
Horses are expensive. Feed, vets, farriers, stables, transport, land maintenance – it adds up fast.
And because RMJ runs purely through donations, the small things really do keep the doors open.
You can:
1. Sponsor a horse
Pick a horse each month who needs support. You can visit them or receive updates if you live abroad.
It’s personal. It’s meaningful. And yes, they remember you.
2. Donate feed
You can literally buy their food online. It’s the most direct form of support (and oddly satisfying).
3. Set up a monthly donation
Even €5 a month helps. One coffee. That’s it.
4. Adopt a horse
But read RMJ’s adoption guide first. A horse is a life, not décor.
5. Volunteer
Brush, walk, shovel, repair, cuddle. There’s always work. Always welcome.
Visiting RMJ: What to Expect
You can book:
- Sanctuary Tours – guided by volunteers
- Pony Camps & Grooming Sessions – perfect for kids
- Birthday Parties – wholesome and outdoorsy
- Swimming with Horses (summer) – yes, this exists and yes, it’s magical
- School / group awareness visits – education with a heartbeat
Just message them on Facebook before going – caring for eighty horses is a full-time operation, and drop-ins can be overwhelming.
What I Took Away from My Visit
It surprised me how emotional it was. Not heavy – hopeful. Standing beside a horse who once flinched at shadows and now leans his head against your shoulder? That stays with you.
You see resilience.
You see forgiveness.
You see how far kindness can travel.
And honestly, it made me want to be a better human.
How to Support RMJ Today
Facebook: RMJ Horse Rescue Malta
Donate / Sponsor / Buy Feed: Search RMJ Horse Rescue Malta online – everything is easy to find.
Or simply start here:
€5 monthly = one horse fed for one day.
One day of safety.
One day of trust.
One day closer to a green field.
If you love Malta, animals, or just good stories with good endings, RMJ is absolutely worth your support — or at the very least, your visit.
Because every horse deserves a chance to feel the sun on its back and not be afraid of what comes next.
And at RMJ? They get exactly that.
