Responsible rehoming of horses

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The earlier owners begin exploring rehoming options, the greater the likelihood of securing a suitable outcome for both horse and owner.

The following guidance will examine the logistics of loaning and use of charities for rehoming horses. Read our guidance on buying and selling horses.

Loaning

Loaning is when you retain ownership (and legal responsibility) of the horse, but someone else is responsible for their daily care. Legal responsibility and practical care responsibilities should be clearly defined within a written loan agreement, and understood by both parties. The horse may be kept on the same yard the owner has them on, or if the horse is going out on full loan, the horse may move locations to the loanee’s yard or home. This can work well if it is carefully arranged. There are inevitably risks involved in asking another person to take on caring for your horse, but these risks can be reduced with careful planning. It is advisable to:

Look for a local home, as it will be easier to keep in touch with your horse and the loanee
Always put a written loan agreement in place to define exactly what is expected of each party, including regular visits. The agreement should be signed by both parties and a copy kept by each party
Ensure you have a contingency plan should the loan home wish to return your horse. This could happen at any time, and you must be prepared to take your horse back or secure another home.

Companion homes

Suitable companion homes may be available for some horses, although opportunities can be more limited, particularly where a horse has significant health, behavioural or management requirements. People who are looking for a companion generally seek a horse that is straightforward, requiring minimal management and expense. You also need to consider whether this is the right thing for your horse. For example, older horses may find a new home unsettling and stressful having a negative impact on the horse’s welfare. The loaning tips outlined above should still be applied.

Key considerations:

Owners should provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information about their horse’s health, behaviour, management requirements and ridden history when seeking a loan or new home
Relevant documentation such as veterinary history, vaccination records, passport details and other key information should be made available to prospective loaners or new owners where appropriate
Owners should take reasonable steps to assess the suitability of any prospective loan or rehoming arrangement, including discussion of turnout, management routine, workload expectations, companionship needs and contingency planning

Equine welfare charities

Most charities, including World Horse Welfare, are unable to take horses from private owners due to the high number of rescue and neglect cases. Each charity has its own criteria for accepting horses and most would expect you to sign over ownership to the organisation. Although there are very few spaces at charities, they will be more than happy to discuss options available to you in more detail. Some charities offer rehoming services that involve the horse staying with you and not coming into charity care; they will then work on matching the horse with a suitable owner and home. Availability and eligibility criteria for charity rehoming schemes vary and should be confirmed directly with the relevant organisation

When looking for a suitable charity visit the National Equine Welfare Council website www.newc.co.uk. NEWC member and associate organisations are required to meet NEWC’s standards for keeping equines and which set out requirements relating to equine welfare, governance and organisational practices. If you are offered a place with a charity, it is important to research and visit the organisation that has made the offer before accepting.

You have a duty of care to investigate all available rehoming options should you become unable to care for your horse. Every owner, by accepting and dealing with rehoming responsibly, can make a real difference to the overall standards of welfare in the UK. This may reduce the cycle of neglect seen regularly by equine welfare charities.

In addition, consider the quality of life of the horse you would like to rehome especially if they are older or have additional health needs. In some circumstances, where a suitable long-term home is unlikely to be available or where rehoming may compromise welfare, euthanasia may be the most humane option. For further support regarding end of life decisions click here.