Sam Smith, a support worker from Brighton, founded The Clothes Horse Sanctuary in 2016 to rescue and rehabilitate discarded clothes horses, which he affectionately calls “beautiful creatures.” Starting with a few rescued items in his garden, the collection grew to nearly 40, prompting him to move them to a local stable where they receive repairs, care, and even calming background music. Sam names each clothes horse and treats them with attention akin to medical care, emphasizing their resilience and symbolic role as “quiet supporters” in daily life. His mission is to reduce waste by repairing and rehoming these often-overlooked household items, educating the public on their maintenance and proper use.

Through his TikTok account, Sam has gained over 4,000 followers who support his unique hobby, which combines environmental consciousness with a touch of humor and empathy. He runs the sanctuary with a team of volunteers who help diagnose and fix broken clothes horses, while also providing enrichment to aid their “recovery.” Sam hopes to end the cycle of disposal by encouraging people to care for their clothes horses properly, sharing tips on maintenance, and fostering appreciation for these everyday objects that often go unnoticed.