The Animal Welfare Liaison Network (AWLN) was started in 1989 by a campaigning group of likeminded people to raise the awareness of the plight of barely weaned young foals indiscriminately bred each year. A large number of these foals were being sold at auction for slaughter for meat which led AWLN becoming involved with ‘animal rescue’.

Through the drive and diligence of their organiser, Olive Lomas, and others from the group who attended auctions, many foals were rescued from their certain fate. As time drew on the group found itself caring for mares in foal and other older horses and these animals were stabled at Houghton Barn Farm at Altham, near Burnley .

In 1991 it was decided to move to larger stables at Oswaldtwistle and officially become a Sanctuary. A name was devised by considering the work the group had been undertaking, firstly caring only for foals but then moving into taking care of older horses too, and so was born Only Foals And Horses. The name was adopted with the kind permission of John Sullivan, scriptwriter for ‘Only Fools and Horses’.

Through the work of dedicated staff and volunteers the Sanctuary continues to rescue, rehabilitate and rest the many needy horses, ponies and donkeys desperate for a good home.