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World Horse Welfare is an internationally active horse welfare organisation based in the United Kingdom. It works with horse owners, veterinarians, authorities, scientists and organisations to improve the welfare of horses worldwide.
The organisation’s focus is not solely on individual rescue operations. Instead, it follows a preventive approach that addresses the underlying causes of animal welfare issues and aims to achieve long-term improvements.
The organisation’s focus is not solely on individual rescue operations. Instead, it follows a preventive approach that addresses the underlying causes of animal welfare issues and aims to achieve long-term improvements.
Die Rescue & Rehoming Centres – Supporting Horses in Need
A key part of World Horse Welfare’s work is its four Rescue & Rehoming Centres across the United Kingdom. These centres provide care for horses that have been neglected, kept in poor conditions, or can no longer be properly looked after due to changes in their owners’ circumstances.
Upon arrival, each horse undergoes a comprehensive veterinary assessment and receives an individual rehabilitation plan tailored to its health, behaviour and specific needs. Depending on the horse’s condition, rehabilitation may take several months.
During this time, the horses receive appropriate nutrition, expert veterinary care and carefully planned training. The goal is to restore their wellbeing, improve their quality of life and prepare them step by step for placement in a safe and responsible new home.
Rehoming with a Long-Term Perspective
Once a horse is physically and behaviourally ready, World Horse Welfare begins the search for a suitable permanent home. The priority is not a quick placement, but a lasting partnership between the horse and its new owner.
Prospective adopters must meet specific requirements, including providing suitable facilities, demonstrating sufficient knowledge and experience, and showing a commitment to meeting the individual needs of the horse. Even after rehoming, World Horse Welfare continues to support new owners through ongoing guidance and follow-up, helping to ensure the horses' long-term welfare.
More Than a Rescue Centre: Hubs for Knowledge and Equine Welfare
World Horse Welfare’s Rescue & Rehoming Centres are far more than temporary shelters. They combine hands-on care with education, guidance and the sharing of knowledge to promote higher standards of horse welfare.
The experience gained through rehabilitation and horse care helps shape best practices, welfare standards and expert recommendations. In this way, the centres not only transform the lives of individual horses but also contribute to improving equine welfare on a global scale.
What Are the Organisation’s Goals?
World Horse Welfare envisions a world where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding. Rather than focusing solely on rescuing individual animals, the organisation takes a holistic approach that aims to address the root causes of equine welfare issues and create lasting change.
A central objective is to improve the living conditions and standards of care for horses. Through education, advice and practical support, World Horse Welfare helps horse owners provide appropriate care, management and welfare for their animals.
The organisation’s key areas of work include:
- Improving standards of horse care and management
- Supporting responsible horse ownership
- Advancing scientific research
- Sharing knowledge and expertise
- Working with governments, authorities and industry partners
- Developing sustainable solutions to improve horse welfare
By combining practical support, research, education and policy work, World Horse Welfare strives to achieve long-term improvements in the relationship between people and horses while strengthening equine welfare worldwide.
The Four Key Areas of Work
Care and Rehabilitation
World Horse Welfare takes in neglected or mistreated horses, provides them with veterinary care and supports their rehabilitation process. The aim is to stabilise the animals, restore their wellbeing and prepare them for a new home. At the same time, the organisation places a strong focus on prevention by addressing the causes of neglect and helping to prevent welfare problems before they occur.
Research
Through scientific research, World Horse Welfare advances knowledge in the areas of horse care, health and behaviour. These findings provide the foundation for sustainable improvements in equine welfare and help shape better practices for the future.
Education
Through training programmes, educational resources and specialist materials, the organisation shares knowledge about appropriate horse care, health and responsible horse ownership. The aim is to prevent welfare issues before they arise and promote better standards of care.
Policy and Standards
In addition to providing direct support, the organisation advocates for improvements to legislation and welfare frameworks. Its work includes issues such as horse transport, horse identification, responsible horse ownership and welfare standards within the equestrian sector.
International Projects
World Horse Welfare is active not only in the United Kingdom but also supports equine welfare projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America in collaboration with local partners.
A particular focus is placed on working horses, donkeys and mules, which provide an essential livelihood for many communities. Through veterinary care, training and education, the organisation helps improve the health and welfare of these animals while also strengthening the living conditions of their owners in a sustainable way.
Through its international projects, World Horse Welfare combines practical animal welfare work with long-term support for both people and animals.
Importance for Leisure and Sport Horses
World Horse Welfare’s work is not limited to horses in need or working equines; it also includes leisure and sport horses. The organisation’s aim is to promote equine welfare across all areas of horse ownership, care and use.
- Species-appropriate horse keeping
- Responsible training methods
- Preventive healthcare
- Safe transport conditions
- Sustainable breeding practices
- Ethical issues in equestrian sport
By working with specialist institutions, scientists and equestrian organisations, World Horse Welfare supports the development of modern approaches to horse care and riding, with the health and wellbeing of the horse at the centre.
World Horse Welfare supports horses through a range of different measures. These include rescuing and rehabilitating neglected or mistreated horses, finding suitable new homes for them, and providing educational and advisory services for horse owners. At the same time, the organisation works to promote long-term improvements in equine welfare and animal protection.
The Rescue & Rehoming Centres are facilities where
horses are taken in when they require support due to neglect, mistreatment or
challenging living conditions. There, they receive veterinary care, appropriate
management and an individual rehabilitation programme. Once a horse is physically
and behaviourally ready, a suitable new home is carefully selected.
World Horse Welfare addresses fundamental issues related to horse care, health and responsible interaction with horses. Insights gained from research and practical experience help improve understanding of horses’ needs and support sustainable improvements in the way horses are kept, trained and cared for.
There are many ways to support World Horse Welfare. These include making financial contributions, volunteering, sharing knowledge about responsible horse care and supporting the organisation’s educational and awareness-raising work. Horse owners can also make a difference by continuously learning about horses’ needs and promoting responsible, welfare-focused care for their animals.
The Authors
Waldhausen's authors are experts in the equestrian sector and contribute
their in-depth knowledge to our texts. Thanks to their own riding
experience and expertise, they provide authentic and practice-oriented
content based on years of experience. The aim is to support equestrian
sports enthusiasts with well-founded and helpful texts that are suitable
for both beginners and experienced riders.
Waldhausen Team
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