The Horse Trust

The Horse Trust is the oldest horse charity in the world. Since 1886 we have been providing respite and retirement for working horses and ponies and a place of sanctuary for horses, ponies and donkeys who have suffered severe cruelty or neglect. We are the only UK charity who provides a place of retirement for service horses from the police, military and riding for the disabled. These horses and ponies have served our country, bravely protected our communities from violence or brought joy to disabled or disadvantaged children. Many of these working horses can no longer be ridden once they have finished their working lives and we provide a welcoming and safe place they can retire to with dignity. Our work has continued to expand to meet the changing needs of horses and today we aim to improve the everyday welfare of horses, ponies and donkeys across the UK. We achieve this by providing training for professionals working on the frontlines of horse welfare such as local authority inspectors, the emergency responders and other animal welfare charities. We are also the second largest funder of non-invasive veterinary research in the UK, funding nearly half a million pounds a year. This research has had a global impact welfare of horses across the world. Read about our research here - Research funding | Innovative research into horse health (horsetrust.org.uk) These are the reasons The Horse Trust exists. We offer a unique approach to equine care in the UK; not only do we provide a sanctuary for neglected and abandoned horses, donkeys and mules, as well as providing a peaceful and safe space for service equines to retire to, but we are the ‘go to’ organisation for advice and training in handling equines in crisis.