Support service launched for horse owners
World Horse Welfare has launched a new support service to make it easier for owners struggling to care for their horses to ask for help.
The service, Help for Horse Owners, will provide advice and support to owners who are finding it difficult to look after their horse due to issues such as financial challenges, ill health, or a change in personal circumstances.
A support call can be requested to talk through issues and possible solutions, or a field officer can make in-person visits to assess the situation and provide practical advice.
There is also a resources hub available to signpost people to other organisations that can offer help with the issues that owners may be facing.
The charity hopes that by providing early support, it can help keep animals and owners together and prevent serious welfare issues from arising.
As well as owners being able to contact the service when they feel they need help, friends, family, and people providing care for horses will also be able to contact the charity to ask for help for someone.
Sam Chubbock, head of UK support at World Horse Welfare, said: “Horse owners and their families often approach us for help when their circumstances have changed, meaning they are struggling to provide the necessary care. However, we also understand how difficult it can be to ask for help - which is why we have developed our Help for Horse Owners support service.
“Our focus is on trying to keep families and their animals together when this is the best option for them in the longer term. We do this in a variety of ways, including helping horse owners to change their management practices or signposting them to other areas of support they might not know about.”
Image © World Horse Welfare