Tough Winter Ahead For Horses, Warns Horse Charity In Annual Christmas Message 2012

“As we head into the depths of winter, World Horse Welfare estimates that there are 6000 horses at risk in England and Wales. This is reflected in the fact that we have taken in 50% more horses since 2006,” said Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, in his annual Christmas Message where he covers the key challenges for horses in the past year and how the charity is addressing them. “We’ve been working with several other charities to highlight this growing equine crisis both to public and to government. One of the biggest problems we find in our day to day work to help horses, is being able to link a horse to an owner,” he continues. To counter this problem, Mr Owers urges that, “We need government to act to help us stop flygrazing and improve owner traceability of horses.” He encourages those who can offer a good home to a rescued horse to do so now; this act will enable even more horses to get the care they need. The horses and ponies that arrive into the charity’s four centres are in extremely dire need of assistance, such as Zazu who was brought to World Horse Welfare this November and was close to death. “Zazu is a two year old colt we found dumped, lame, and with a debilitating and horrific disease strangles. Our staff are working night and day to save his life”. Sadly, Zazu demonstrates the kind of flygrazed and abandoned pony that the charity is seeing all too regularly. The video illustrates other welfare challenges that horses have faced these last 12 months, including the growing threat to UK horses from disease. Mr Owers recommends requesting the disease pack which provides information on how to protect your horse and is available from the charity’s website. “The number of horses suffering horrifically on long distance journeys across Europe to slaughter has decreased significantly. We estimate over the past decade that numbers have reduced from 165,000 to 65,000.” Mr Owers vows that, “That’s still 65,000 journeys too many,” and that the charity will continue to work relentlessly to put an end to the long distant transportation of horses across Europe to slaughter. He discusses the expanding programme of International work in Nicaragua and Cambodia and thanks supporters for donating hundreds of care packs to working horses in Nicaragua. The Christmas Message looks back at 2012’s equestrian calendar and draws attention to the Olympic and Paralympic games and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Important milestones for World Horse Welfare are referenced, including the incredible new indoor arena and visitor centre in Scottish Rescue and Rehoming Centre Belwade which HRH The Princess Royal, President of World Horse Welfare officially opened this September. The new centre now allows staff to carry out their vital rehabilitation with horses and ponies all year round and is a real asset to the charity’s work. The video ends with the important message that: “The reality is, as we say goodbye to 2012, the need for World Horse Welfare, the need for your support, has never been greater.”

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