"Rising costs, fewer rehoming opportunities and increasing calls for help means we are being asked to do more with less" - Carolyn Madgwick, NEWC.

Survey reveals rescue centres are at or close to capacity.

Equine rescue and rehoming centres in the UK are at “breaking point” as they battle rising demand, escalating costs and falling donations, a national charity has warned.

The warning from the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) follows a survey which found that all respondent organisations are now at or near capacity, with 4,500 equines collectively in their care.

The survey was undertaken by World Horse Welfare and Redwings Horse Sanctuary on behalf of the NEWC. Of the respondents, 81 per cent reported a rise in hand-over equines, 67 per cent a surge in welfare concern calls, and over a third reported more equines being returned by adopters.

It also found that rescue centres are running out of space: half of respondent organisations said they were at or over capacity, while the remaining half are close to capacity. Costs are also on the rise, with more than 90 per cent of respondents concerned about the impact of the cost-of-living on management and maintenance costs. 

Carolyn Madgwick, Chair of NEWC, said: “This survey makes painfully clear that equine welfare organisations are doing everything they can to protect the horses in their care, but the system is under unsustainable strain. Rising costs, fewer rehoming opportunities and increasing calls for help means we are being asked to do more with less. Without coordinated action and greater support, more horses could be left without the safety net they urgently need.”

Additional findings from the survey reveal that funding is becoming harder to secure. Sixty-three per cent of respondents have received fewer large donations this year, and 65 per cent are finding it harder to secure major donors.

Despite these financial pressures, organisations say they will not take measures to compromise equine welfare, such as switching to cheaper forage or reducing bedding. 

The NEWC will use the findings to engage with rescue and rehoming organisations to explore what support they need most. It also aims to raise awareness among horse owners of the pressure affecting the welfare sector.

Malcolm Morley, Director of UK Welfare at World Horse Welfare, added: “The findings point to serious consequences for horses and owners if current trends continue. Ongoing financial and operational pressures could further reduce capacity, while extreme weather patterns and an ongoing cost of living crisis for struggling owners may increase the number of horses becoming welfare cases.”

The results of the survey will be shared with governments and political representatives across the UK.

Image (C) Adi Vechter/Shutterstock.