World Horse Welfare urges horse owners to think twice before taking on too many animals

By Larissa Chapman

General news

26 January 2012 17:15

World Horse Welfare is urging horse owners across the UK to think twice before taking on too many animals as the charity’s Field Officers are seeing an unprecedented number of welfare cases involving large groups of horses.

Field Officers have recently seen several examples where they have investigated a welfare concern in response to a call from a worried member of the public and upon arrival the horse owner has a group of horses with numbers ranging from anything between six and 150. 

Over the past month there have been seven instances where World Horse Welfare have rescued groups of horses (three or more).  Almost 20 horses have already been taken into the care of World Horse Welfare with another 25 due to arrive in the near future.  World Horse Welfare’s Deputy Chief Executive Tony Tyler said: “With our centres already at capacity, we are struggling to find space to meet the current demand.  We treat each case very seriously and try and work with the owner to resolve the situation but in some instances the best course of action is to remove a horse or horses from the site if their welfare is compromised.” 

World Horse Welfare is finding that horses are often bought in the summer months where most do well turned out in a field.  However, when the winter arrives and hay/haylage and concentrate feed is needed, owners simply cannot afford to feed the correct amount required and the horses’ condition deteriorates, and that is when our charity’s Field Officers are asked to attend.  One recent example is a case that Chief Field Officer David Boyd is involved in where a woman from Lincolnshire, who owns a large group of horses, has appeared in court and is due to be sentenced next month. 

David Boyd said: “Owners need to look carefully at how they are going to house their horses during the winter.  A field quickly becomes a quagmire and the horse’s health is compromised.  If the horse is to be stabled, it’s essential that the environment is kept clean and there is space for the horses to have freedom of movement.  Too many owners cram too many horses into a barn and deep-litter the bed badly, leading to injuries and health issues.”

For more information and advice on how to cut the costs of horse ownership without compromising on welfare please visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org/information/cuttingcosts

If you would like to report a horse welfare concern in the UK, please call the charity’s Welfare Line for free on 08000 480180.