World Horse Welfare is urging owners to consider rehoming this winter, saying it can help not just one horse, but three at once – an owner’s own horse who needs a companion, the rehomed horse who gets a second chance, and another horse in need who can come into the charity’s care because space has been freed.
The charity says rehoming is increasingly important as welfare concerns rise during the winter months. With 100 horses and ponies currently listed on its rehoming pages ranging from 8.1hh to 16.3hh, it is appealing to owners who may be looking for a field companion or a new project.
Malcolm Morley, the charity’s Director of UK, says, Although we’ve rehomed nearly 300 horses, ponies and donkeys already this year, despite flooding at our Somerset farm and a strangles outbreak at our Norfolk farm due to the Trafficked 20 horses we rescued a year ago our rescue and rehoming centres are running with limited spare capacity. We always see a surge in welfare reports over the winter, as horses already struggling go further downhill in cold weather, and rehoming plays a vital part in allowing us to take in the next horse that needs help.
With a wide range of horses and ponies available, the charity believes many owners will be able to find a suitable match for a horse in need of a friend. Morley adds, Everyone who chooses to rehome from us receives ongoing support and has the reassurance that, although we always hope to rehome our horses and ponies for life, if your circumstances change they can come back to us.
World Horse Welfare recognises that not everyone will be in a position to rehome right now, but says owners can still support the appeal by sharing information with others who may be looking for a companion.
If you want to help us but can’t rehome a horse yourself right now, you can still make a real difference by helping us spread the word, emphasises Morley.
Tell your friends or fellow liveries, share our posts on social media. If you see someone looking for a companion in a horsey Facebook group, please do share a link to our rehoming pages worldhorsewelfare.org/rehome and encourage them to consider a rescue pony.
Every horse who finds a home of their own creates space for another one to be rescued. This winter, that space will be lifesaving.
Horses currently looking for homes
Among those listed by the charity are:
- Tulip, a 19-year-old 14.2hh dun mare at Glenda Spooner Farm (Somerset), looking for a home as a companion. World Horse Welfare says she is good with basic handling, currently lives out 24/7 and can have normal grazing.
- Summer, a 12-year-old 11.1hh Welsh pony mare at Penny Farm (Lancashire), available as a companion due to a heart murmur. The charity describes her as bright and inquisitive, happy to go for in-hand walks to help with weight management, and potentially suitable for in-hand showing.
- Phoebe, a 13-year-old 14.3hh black mare at Hall Farm (Norfolk), described as a genuine, sensitive mare looking for a sympathetic handler to help her build confidence. The charity says she could suit a horse who prefers to live out.
- Pascal, a five-year-old 12.2hh project pony at Belwade Farm (Aberdeenshire). World Horse Welfare says he has completed groundwork, including going out with a dummy rider, and would ideally start as a lead rein pony before progressing with a confident young rider.
Anyone interested in rehoming can view horses and ponies currently available at World Horse Welfare – Rehome.
