Generous donation helps horses in crisis

10/07/2014 12:35

Horse&Rider magazine

Matchmakers International Ltd – owners of famous equestrian consumer brands Harry Hall, Caldene, Tottie, Masta and Cottage Craft – sent a lorry bursting with smart new rugs, numnahs, head-collars, bridles, grooming equipment and essential supplies for the horses and team of committed grooms at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk.

With 76% more horses brought into the charity’s four Rescue and Rehoming Centres across the UK in 2013 compared to the year before, generous donations of this nature are an incredible aid when rehabilitating horses who have suffered severe abuse or neglect.

Hall Farm Centre Manager, Sue Hodgkins, explains how donations of new and used equipment of all shapes and sizes are essential in supporting Britain’s needy horses: “It is becoming more common to see large groups of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules coming into the farms. Last November for example we took in a group of 63 who were suffering from a whole spectrum of problems as a result of neglect. Such cases dramatically swell our farm numbers overnight which puts a real strain on resources, so donations of good quality equipment are a fantastic help. The sheer quantity and quality of the Matchmakers International donation is unprecedented and the whole team is immensely grateful.”

Liz Hopper of Matchmakers International said: “We are delighted to donate a selection of horse rugs and accessories to World Horse Welfare. We hope that this donation will help this very worthwhile charity.”

World Horse Welfare’s dedicated team of Field Officers investigate more than 2,000 cases a year and around 10% of the horses, ponies, donkeys and mules that the charity deals with need to be brought into its Rescue and Rehoming Centres for rehabilitation. Sadly, in recent years there has been a worrying rise in these numbers as well as many large groups of 20 or more horses requiring urgent care. Some are severely underweight, others have very overgrown feet and many have had little human contact so need to become accustomed to handling which can be a lengthy process. One of the most important functions of the charity is to find loving and secure new homes for rehabilitated horses so that more space can be made for others who are in desperate need of rescue.

If you would like to make a donation of equipment to help horses in need – whether new, or used, but in good condition – then please visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org/support-us

About World Horse Welfare:

Visit our website here: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Home

World Horse Welfare (Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384), is an international horse charity that improves the lives of horses in the UK and worldwide through education, campaigning and hands-on care of horses. Since we were founded in 1927, our whole approach has been practical, based on scientific evidence and our extensive experience, and focused on delivering lasting change across the full spectrum of the horse world.

In the UK our dedicated network of Field Officers investigate and resolve welfare problems, and we run four Rescue and Rehoming Centres where horses in need can receive specialist care, undergo rehabilitation and find loving new homes through our rehoming scheme – the largest of its kind in the UK. Our international training programmes alleviate the suffering of thousands of working horses by providing essential knowledge for horse owning communities in the developing world. We also work tirelessly to change legislation and attitudes to horse welfare through campaigns and education, including our founding campaign to end the suffering endured by the tens of thousands of horses transported long-distance across Europe to slaughter each year. We support the responsible use of horses in sport, and are independent welfare advisers to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA).