Robbie Bartington and her husband David Wallis moved to Gower eight years ago for their retirement in the hope for a quieter life.
They had visited the south Wales beauty spot growing up and spent many holidays getting to know the fabulous beaches and dramatic scenery. And it had always been a life long dream for the pair to one day retire to the area.
Their wish finally came true when they moved to Welshmoor near Llanrhidian, in 2013. However, they didn't quite expect to share their retirement home, and their life savings, with hundreds of animals.
It all started when the couple moved to the area and noticed a lot of emaciated and injured ponies that were grazing locally.
The sad sights of these poor ponies made Robbie and David realise the urgent need for a local sanctuary, so they began to take the animals in and care for them.
Robbie said: "There are no obvious owners , and some are just abandoned onto the local commons here in Gower. We moved here eight years ago, and have watched as this crisis worsened. As no one owns them no one is technically responsible for their care."
Robbie recalls their first ever rescue pony, Olly Beak, who they found emaciated next to the body of his dead field companion.
On one memorable occasion over 20 ponies arrived in one night to their home, some have been in road accidents, several orphan foals, and many colts and stallions needing castrating . It soon became apparent to Robbie and David that they needed to create a safe haven for some of these desperate horses and ponies.
Eight years later, Robbie and David have over 200 animals living at their own sanctuary called, Woodfield Animal Sanctuary that gives hundreds of animals another chance at life.
Robbie added: "We have taken in many of the worst cases that would not have survived had we not stepped in. Many of the Commons in Gower have become barren, due to over-breeding; there is little or no food for the amount of grazing ponies out there. Many of the ponies brought into the Sanctuary are emaciated and in urgent need of help."
Robbie and David share their home with 100 sheep, 75 horses, five cows, 35 cats, seven dogs and an alpaca they couldn't resist rescuing.
A lot of the animals have been referred to the statuary by Trading Standards, the Police (RTAs) and the RSPCA, almost all of the animals often come to the sanctuary from appalling conditions of neglect and abandonment.
Robbie said the sanctuary are the animals' last chance and hope of survival.
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Woodfield sanctuary have just recently taken in Lily the sheep, who had been roaming the Gower alone for years, hardly able to stand due to the weight of her thick mattered coat and because of ill health.
There had been several sightings of her ploughing a lonely furrow, but no-one knew who owned her or how she had ended up living such a solitary, unloved existence.
Robbie described Lily as being adorable and very friendly, adding: "She is the most extraordinary sheep, very clever. She knows exactly what is going on and that we are trying everything we can to give her a better quality of life. Whatever Lily needs she will have."
Lily has now been given a forever home and a new lease of life and is on the mend after being rescued and taken in in by Woodfield Animal Sanctuary. You can read more about Lily's story here.
The sanctuary aim to rehome the animals that come into their care, but this is not always an easy task and therefore some of the animals are given forever homes at the sanctuary.
Robbie and David were just a husband and wife team looking after a few rescue animals eight years ago but now they employ three part time staff to help them with all the rescues they have taken in.
Woodfield Animal Sanctuary sits on 20 acres of land that the animals can enjoy roaming, they even rent additional grazing from local farmers .
Robbie and David encourage people to visit sanctuary in the hope it will get the local community more involved with the rehabilitation and welfare of the animals in the Gower.
Robbie added:" Our utmost aim is to return healthy horses to a healthy common land, to end the problem of overgrazing, malnourishment and the unnecessary perpetuation of the horse population on grounds that cannot support them.
"Some people have known these ponies and fed them out on the Commons for years and have watched their health deteriorate. These locals often ask us to help these ponies, the ones they have come to know over time, often feeding and watering them. "
As well as running the sanctuary, Robbie and David have a castration programme on one of the local commons.
They are hoping by cutting down on the amount of stallions who are out on the commons, they can reduce many unwanted foals, and help protect both horses on the commons for future generations.
Robbie said: "We have taken in a record number of abandoned colts this autumn, and in addition several stallions .
"Some have come in to us injured and with scars, where they have been fighting over mares often pregnant, and are very underweight."
Woodfield Animal Sanctuary runs on donations from the public and the couple's lifesavings have totally gone on hay, haylage, straw, flax as well as vet and staff costs. They say they are only able to continue if people donate.
Robbie said: "We are so grateful for every pound donated to help us keep all the animals well fed through another winter." You can donate to the sanctuary here.
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