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The Horse Trust Launches 125 Year Anniversary Celebrations And Its Plans For The Future

Author: The Horse Trust
Posted: Monday 6th June, 2011. 13:54:48

6 June 2011: Equine charity The Horse Trust has launched a year of celebrations to commemorate its 125th anniversary. The charity also announced its future plans that will build up the links between its sanctuary in Speen, Buckinghamshire, the equine research it funds and its training programme.



On Thursday 26th May, the charity held an evening reception at The Household Cavalry Museum at Horse Guards to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The reception was attended by 60 guests*, including representatives from the House of Lords; senior officials from the Metropolitan Police Mounted Section, Mounted Regiments and Household Cavalry; equine scientists and vets; and officials from equine industry bodies, such as the British Horseracing Authority and the Worshipful Company of Farriers.

The Horse Trust was founded on 10th May 1886 by Ann Lindo to provide respite care for the broken-down horses of the London cab trade. Although the needs of horses have not changed over the last two centuries, the society we live in has, and there have been major advances in science and technology. The Horse Trust hopes to address these changes with its new strategy, which includes an updated logo with the new strap line, "Advancing Excellence in Equine Care".

Baroness Ann Mallalieu QC, President of The Horse Trust, spoke at the reception about how the charity plans to capitalise on its investment in equine research.

"Ann Lindo would be quite astonished if she saw what we have achieved with her legacy," said Baroness Mallalieu at the event. "We believe that tackling the causes of suffering is the most effective use of charitable funds and will therefore continue to fund non-invasive research into equine ailments. What we learn from this research, we will use at the Home of Rest and will pass on to colleagues, professionals and members of the public."

Jeanette Allen, Chief Executive of The Horse Trust, spoke at the event about The Horse Trust's new strategic goals – to develop, demonstrate and disseminate best practice in equine care.

"The Horse Trust is probably best known for its work providing sanctuary to working horses who have served their community or their country, such as horses from the Police, Army and Riding for the Disabled Association. The Home of Rest for Horses will continue to provide lifelong retirement for these and also for local equines found in urgent need of rescue," said Miss Allen. "An exciting development is the re-launching of our respite service for working horses in need of a well earned break from city life taking us back to our very beginnings.”

Due to the economic climate, The Horse Trust recently found it necessary to pause new grant making outside of its current significant funding commitments. Miss Allen announced on Thursday that the charity plans to restart and expand its grant-making programme through the launch of "The Horse Trust Research Fund" with an appeal target of £2 million. This exciting new fund will enable owners to contribute to ethical research which they know will be administered under strict academic and charitable guidelines, ensuring all research funded provides the maximum benefit to equines.

The Horse Trust also plans to create targeted, relevant, engaging and practical training tools, modules and qualifications that can help to raise the levels of advanced welfare knowledge and skills for even the most experienced owners and professionals. This is how it intends to disseminate best practice in equine welfare as it is developed by scientists and plans to work closely with colleagues and partners across the equine world to deliver training to as wider audience as possible.

To find out more about The Horse Trust Research Fund, please contact 01494 488464 or info@horsetrust.org.uk.

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