World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare strives to support and improve the horse-human partnership in all of its guises. Our mission is to work with horses, horse owners, communities, organisations and governments to improve welfare standards and stamp out suffering in the UK and worldwide.

In all our work in the UK and worldwide we aim to treat the source of a problem as well as the symptoms. We believe in taking a practical approach to solving problems, focusing efforts on what is achievable and recognising the importance of working in partnership with others to create sustainable, lasting change. 

With four Rescue and Rehoming Centres – in Aberdeenshire, Lancashire, Norfolk and Somerset – we run the UK’s largest equine rescue and rehoming scheme. On average we take in over 300 horses and ponies each year and find loving new homes for around 300 horses who have completed their rehabilitation. 

We have a nationwide network of 16 Field Officers in Britain who visit around 1,500 reported welfare concerns each year as well as making hundreds of follow-up checks to ensure the necessary improvements are being made. Together with our Rehoming Officers they also carry out around 3,000 checks to see how our rehomed horses and ponies are getting on in their new homes.

Our International projects work with local partner organisations and horse owning communities in 16 countries around the world, helping to improve the lives of working horses, mules and donkeys and the families who rely on them for their livelihoods. 

Since the charity was founded by Ada Cole in 1927 we have influenced more than 50 pieces of legislation, helping to bring about better welfare provision for horses. With our supporters’ help, our campaign to end the long-distance transport of horses across Europe to slaughter has reached the very highest political level, giving us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to push for an end to these long journeys. In Britain, legislation to improve welfare during transport is also being reviewed by Defra and the Welsh and Scottish Governments. This includes a much-welcomed proposal to ban live exports of horses for slaughter and fattening.

We value every penny

We are cost conscious in everything we do. From seeking the gifting or sponsorship of equipment and services, to reusing our materials, to seeking the best value for money from our suppliers and reviewing all contracts regularly – we always work to avoid waste.

We pay our people fairly for their commitment and professionalism, and review our staffing requirements regularly.

We are all diligent about using funds efficiently

We believe it’s important that as much of the money kindly donated to us goes directly to helping horses – or helps us to help even more horses.

Investing in fundraising is vital to our ability to help horses. We recognise this and are completely open about it. We choose how we fundraise and our level of investment based on evidence, and while we test new ideas we and our Trustees are very careful to ensure that donations are spent wisely and effectively.