Equine welfare

Equine welfare remains at the heart of The Blue Cross. We have three dedicated equine welfare centres at Burford in Oxfordshire, Northiam in East Sussex and Rolleston-on-Dove in Staffordshire. Our team of trained staff care for up to 85 horses and ponies at any one time, and monitor 350 more that have been loaned to homes across the country.

UK horse adoption

Horse adoption is a highly rewarding way of acquiring a horse. The loan system we operate allows us to screen applicants thoroughly before the adoption begins, and also to keep in touch and monitor the welfare of our horses. Our horse rehoming service is comprehensive and thorough, and upholds our high standards of equine welfare at every step of the process.

Horse rehoming

Many horses come to our equine centres with a variety of problems, ranging from severe neglect and ill treatment to behavioural difficulties. To ensure they get the best possible chance of rehoming The Blue Cross:

• develops an individually tailored rehabilitation and training programme for each horse
• provides rehabilitation facilities – including a round pen, horse walker, all-weather arenas, recovery box and an isolation unit
• takes an holistic approach to ensure an equine’s mental as well as physical welfare needs are met

If you have any queries, please email us at equine@bluecross.org.uk.

Other pages you might like to visit:
Equine education
Timeline of our Equine Welfare Activities
Become an Equine Centre Volunteer