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. In 2009, we had 498 horses out on loan to homes across the country, 142 horses at our equine centres and 640 horses in total ownership.

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. Please note we rehome horses to new homes in an approximate 55 mile radius of our two equine rehoming centres in Burford, Oxfordshire and Rolleston, Staffordshire.

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 a 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.

Volunteering for equine education

Have you got a bit of spare time in 2009 as well as a bit of equine knowledge tucked away? Why not volunteer at The Blue Cross and talk to young people about how The Blue Cross cares for the welfare of horses and ponies? If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact Kerry Doyle, equine education project officer on kerry.doyle@bluecross.org.uk or 01993 825501 EXT 370.

National Equine Welfare Council and The Blue Cross

The Blue Cross has been part of the first group of its kind whereby member organisations of The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) have put pen to paper to create valuable educational leaflets for members of the public. Rosie Mogford from the equine team explains, “In recent months we have had a high number of requests from horse owners struggling financially across the UK. In response to this we have come together and produced to leaflets offering advice on responsible re-homing and cutting cost without compromising welfare.”

Responsible rehoming 
Cutting cost without compromising on welfare

Other pages you might like to visit

Credit crunch winter tips for horse owners
Equine education
Timeline of our Equine Welfare Activities
Become an Equine Centre Volunteer
Fundraise for The Blue Cross on an Ecuador horse trek