A challenging year for all – including animal welfare charities – has ended with the fantastic result of a record 356 horses being rehomed by World Horse Welfare during 2020. Despite initially not being able to rehome horses during the first lockdown, and adaptations needing to be made to the application and rehoming processes, supporters have stepped up to the plate and provided more homes for horses than ever, making more space for horses in need. The previous record for the charity was 350 reached in 2015.
Tony Tyler, World Horse Welfare Deputy Chief Executive said “This is a truly amazing achievement and is down to our fantastic supporters who have offered all these horses and ponies homes. It is also a testament to our incredible teams at each of the farms, who have continued to care for and prepare the horses for rehoming throughout the restrictions. They have had to adapt their way of working and, in turn, we have had to make changes to the way people apply and how we process those applications. It’s definitely been the year of virtual home visits.”
World Horse Welfare is the UK’s largest equine rescue and rehoming charity and rehoming is the ultimate aim for every horse coming into the charity’s care. Each horse that is rehomed frees up a vital space at one of the rescue centres but, sadly, there are always more horses needing help.
The report “Britain’s Horse Problem”, recently published by leading equine welfare organisations including World Horse Welfare, reveals how the pandemic has both impacted welfare charities and is also expected to create significantly more equine welfare problems at a time when charities are least able to cope with them.
World Horse Welfare’s newly launched rehoming website sets out the rehoming process clearly and makes applications straightforward and an engaging animation explains the rehoming and application process. Rehomers receive an honest assessment of their chosen horse and their capabilities, as well as ongoing support and the reassurance that if their circumstances change, the rehomed horse can be returned to World Horse Welfare.
Rehoming a horse is an immensely rewarding experience. Most of the rehomed horses have had difficult lives before coming into the charity and rehoming offers them a vital second chance. COVID restrictions do mean that currently World Horse Welfare is only able to take applications for companion, youngster and project horses, as ridden assessments cannot be undertaken.
The charity has four Rescue and Rehoming Centres Belwade Farm in Aberdeenshire, Penny Farm in Lancashire, Hall Farm in Norfolk and Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset.
