World Horse Welfare at Appleby Horse Fair 2024

World Horse Welfare staff will be joining colleagues from eight other animal welfare charities as part of the Appleby Horse Project and will be highlighting the importance of watering horses during the Appleby Horse Fair that takes place in early June.

The annual gathering of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, which is the biggest in the UK, begins next Thursday (6^th June) and runs until Monday (10^th June) in the Cumbrian town of Appleby-in-Westmorland.

One of the many myths within the horse community is that watering horses after exercise can lead to colic. Scientific studies have shown that the tiny risk of this is significantly outweighed by the dangers of leaving a horse without water. Allowing access to water for the horses was the largest issue to arise at last year’s fair, alongside horses being worked too young or too hard for the conditions.

The Appleby Horse Project team aim to work with the many amazing horsemen and women within the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and are looking to them to lead the way for others who are less knowledgeable or experienced. The project will also be promoting the watering message through beer mats at local pubs, posters, and on their Best at Appleby Awards social media accounts.

The awards – which celebrate horse owners at the fair who are putting the welfare of their horse first – are in their 9^th year and recognise the very best horse health, happiness and horsemanship and are sponsored by the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association.

The experienced and committed team of charity and private practice vets, logistics experts, enforcement and education officers have been supporting the protection and wellbeing of horses at Appleby Fair for over 20 years. This year’s team consist of six World Horse Welfare staff along with representatives of RSPCA, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Blue Cross, Bransby Horses, The British Horse Society, Oak Tree Animals and The Donkey.