Charity asks horse owners to think before breeding

New research has led World Horse Welfare to launch an initiative to teach horse owners about the impact, cost and risks associated with breeding.

A survey conducted by the charity revealed that collectively, twice as many foals were produced by owners who had bred only one to five foals in their lifetime than by those who had bred over 100 each.

The less-experienced breeders were also found to be responsible for more than a third of all the foals bred.

Of just fewer than 4,000 UK horse owners who responded, almost a quarter had bred from the horses they currently own. This led to a total figure of 4,129 foals produced – with more hoping to breed again in the future.

As a result of its findings, World Horse Welfare has voiced its concern over the number of "extra" foals born every year, with each one increasing the chance of neglect to another horse, says the charity.

"Professional breeders, dealers and the racing industry are often blamed for producing too many horses," said Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare.

"While this may be true, the numbers appear to be reducing in line with the current market. Evidence suggests that, in racing alone, numbers have reduced by 25 per cent."

As the number of horses at risk of needing rescue or new homes has risen from 6,000 to 7,000 in the last six months, the charity is encouraging people to help a suffering horse instead of breeding their own.

Its initiative involves a downloadable leaflet, "Need to breed?" as well as a video asking owners to think before they breed from their horse.

Click here to view the "Do you really need to breed?" video.

Image courtesy of World Horse Welfare