Horse welfare in the UK
Each year we receive around 3,200 welfare reports.
Our goal is a world where no horse needs rescuing. Until then, our Field Officers are on the ground across Britain, ready to step in wherever a horse is at risk.
We work with owners to help them adapt how they think, act and care for their horse. But when that is not possible, we will take direct action – because every horse deserves a good life.
Here are just some statistics from our UK welfare work.
- We receive around 3,200 welfare reports annually, and our Field Officers visit over 1,700 reported welfare concerns each year, with over 1,000 follow-up visits also being made.
- On average we take about 300 horses into our care every year – but this has been known to exceed 350 horses in one year.
- We have approximately 330 horses in our rescue and rehoming centres at any one time.
- We rehome an average of 335 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules of all types each year.
- We have over 2,200 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules out on loan in Britain through our Rehome a Horse scheme.
- Our Field Officers and Rehoming Officers carry out nearly 4,000 visits to our rehomed horses every year.
The Animal Welfare Act (England and Wales) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) place a duty of care on those responsible for horses. Find out more here.
