Timeline of equine highlights

1897: Our Dumb Friends’ League – the original name for The Blue Cross – was founded.

1900: First horse ambulance for use on London’s streets  purchased.

1905: We set up trace horse scheme, involving stationing draught horses at the bottom of London’s steepest hills to help weaker  horses pull their loads to the top.

1914-1918: We helped relieve the suffering of the horses used during the First World War.

1923: First motorised horse ambulance on London’s streets.

1939-1945: Provide refuge for the animals made homeless by the Blitz.

1950: Our Dumb Friends League officially becomes The Blue Cross.

1975: The equine rehabilitation centre at Northiam opens.

1991: Blue Cross headquarters, small animal adoption centre, and equine rehabilitation centre opens in Burford.

2006: A new equine welfare centre opens in Rolleston-on-Dove, Staffordshire.