The effects of the cost of living crisis are being felt across our rescue and rehoming centres

We calculate that on average it costs around £5,000 to care for each and every horse that comes into us, and some cost much more. All our costs are rising, horse food and hay, energy, and sadly, our wonderful vet and other professional teams are having to pass some of their increased costs on to us as well. We are also seeing more and more people contacting us wanting us to take on their horse that they can no longer afford, but we are already nearly full. It’s terrible to think where this might lead.”  

Sue Hodgkins, Farm Manager at Hall Farm in Norfolk, expressed the severity of the situation. 

Our advice and owner support lines have seen a significant increase in the number of calls over the first six months of this year compared to last year and our existing network of field officers on the ground, across the country, are at full capacity visiting potential welfare cases. We, like many other rescue organisations are at, or approaching, full capacity and this could point towards a difficult future for owners, organisations and the welfare of the nation’s horses. If something doesn’t change soon we may return to a welfare crisis – increased costs, more welfare concerns and reducing support just doesn’t add up.”  

Tony Tyler, our Deputy Chief Executive, commented on how the cost of living crisis is affecting our charity in other ways.