Could you rehome to help make life-saving space for horses in need this winter?

We’re urging owners to consider rehoming this winter to help not just one horse, but three at once – their own horse who needs a friend, the rehomed horse who gets a second chance, and another horse in need who can come into our care because space has been freed. 

With 100 horses and ponies – from 8.1hh to 16.3hh – currently on our website, rehoming is more vital than ever to make space as welfare concerns surge in the winter weather. 

Malcolm Morley, our Director of UK, says, “Although we’ve rehomed nearly 300 horses, ponies and donkeys already this year – despite flooding at our Somerset farm and a strangles outbreak at our Norfolk farm due to the Trafficked 20 horses we rescued a year ago – our rescue and rehoming centres are running with limited spare capacity. We always see a surge in welfare reports over the winter, as horses already struggling go further downhill in cold weather, and rehoming plays a vital part in allowing us to take in the next horse that needs help.”

With 100 horses and ponies on our rehoming pages, the perfect companion will be available for any horse or pony in need of a friend. Malcolm adds, “Everyone who chooses to rehome from us receives ongoing support and has the reassurance that, although we always hope to rehome our horses and ponies for life, if your circumstances change they can come back to us.” 

We recognise that not all owners will be in a position to rehome right now, but there are other ways to support rehoming this winter. “If you want to help us but can’t rehome a horse yourself right now, you can still make a real difference by helping us spread the word,” emphasises Malcolm.

“Tell your friends or fellow liveries, share our posts on social media. If you see someone looking for a companion in a horsey Facebook group, please do share a link to our rehoming pages – worldhorsewelfare.org/rehome – and encourage them to consider a rescue pony.”

“Every horse who finds a home of their own creates space for another one to be rescued. This winter, that space will be lifesaving.” 

Amongst those available at our Somerset rescue and rehoming centre, Glenda Spooner Farm, is Tulip, a 14.2hh dun mare who is looking for a home as a companion. 19-year-old Tulip came into the charity’s care last year after her owner was no longer able to care for her. She’s good with all her basic handling skills, currently lives out 24/7 and can have normal grazing. 

At Penny Farm, in Lancashire, stunning Welsh pony Summer is looking for a home this winter. Summer, a 12-year-old mare standing at 11.1hh, is ready for rehoming as a companion due to having a heart murmur. She’s a bright, inquisitive little pony who will happily go out for in-hand walks to help with weight management – and would be fabulous for in-hand showing. 

Phoebe, at Hall Farm in Norfolk, is a beautiful black mare who came into the charity’s care last year after her owner sadly died. Aged 13 and standing at 14.3hh, Phoebe is a genuine, sensitive mare looking for a sympathetic handler to give her confidence and allow her time to build a loving bond. Phoebe would be the perfect pal for a horse who prefers to live out.

Project pony Pascal, at Belwade Farm in Aberdeenshire, is looking for a family of his own to continue his education. At 12.2hh, five-year-old Pascal is too small to be backed by any of our grooms but has successfully completed all his groundwork, including going out with a dummy rider on board. Ideally, Pascal will start as a lead rein pony in his new home and progress to being a children’s pony with a confident young rider.  

Anyone interested in rehoming – and helping to make space for horses in need to be rescued this winter – can check out all our horses and ponies ready to find homes on our rehoming pages.