A five-year-old cob who was found abandoned and neglected in a stranger’s garden has been successfully rehomed thanks to a new partnership between Bransby Horses and the British Horse Society.
Rex was rescued by equine welfare charity Bransby Horses and following a period of rehabilitation was rehomed to Peers Clough Packhorses, a pony trekking centre in Lancashire. His rehoming was made possible by the BHS Second Chance scheme, a nationwide rehoming initiative which gives neglected, mistreated and rescued horses safe and fulfilling futures in BHS Approved Centres.
“After a “getting to know you” meeting with our new BHS Business Support Manager, where we expressed an interest in rehoming, it was only 10 days before we were contacted regarding Rex. Another ten days and he was here,” said Chris Thomas, proprietor at Peers Clough Packhorses.
“Rex settled down immediately and has proved to be an instant hit with our wide age range clientele and has comfortably taken to our Saturday groups of children.
“The collaboration between Bransby Horses and the British Horse Society has proved very successful for us as an Approved Centre, for Rex, who is happily settled, and for our clients who think he’s so cute.”
Successful pilot scheme
The Second Chance programme began as a pilot scheme between the BHS and the RSPCA in 2019.
The RSPCA placed 25 rescued horses into some of the BHS’s Approved Centres that were delivering their Changing Lives through Horses alternative education programme. The pilot scheme proved successful and over 130 horses haven subsequently been rehomed through the programme.
In November 2024, the BHS further extended the scheme by collaborating with Bransby Horses. Over the last nine months, 18 horses, including Rex, have been successfully rehomed, and a further six are awaiting transfer to a BHS Approved Centre.
“Rex’s story perfectly captures why the Second Chance project is so important,” said Sarah Dale, head of business support at the BHS.
“Horses and ponies like Rex deserve a future where they are safe, loved, and valued—and that’s exactly what this partnership makes possible. We are incredibly proud to be working alongside Bransby Horses and the RSPCA to give these wonderful animals the second chance they truly deserve.”
Images © Peers Clough Packhorses.
