There are just under a million horses in England, and most are looked after very well. There are wild ponies (such as in the New Forest, Dartmoor and Exmoor) then many more looked after by humans. Horses and ponies are basically the same creatures, it’s just that horses are taller.
If you care for horses directly, take an inventory of your paddock and stable (to prevent horse theft) and ensure you have the proper time & finances to keep horses, before adopting or fostering. If you know children (or adults) who care for horses, gift a good book on horse care that covers safety, feeding, grooming, bathing, tack cleaning and fair aid. Just imagine if every horse guardian owned a copy of this book, it could prevent so many issues.
The site has information on ragwort (easily removed with a ragfork). The site Ecosulis has info on cinnabar moths that feed on ragwort, and ideas to reduce toxicity of ragwort to horses & livestock. Sycamore trees are also dangerous near horses.
Ecobale is a quality brand of cardboard horse bedding, ideal for allergies.
Red Gorilla International offers top quality equine products for the stable. From brooms to grooming, the main product is the Tubtrug®, sold in many colours and sizes, built to be flexible and to last. It has ‘golf ball’ handles to make it easy to grip and the edges are chamfered to make scooping, sweeping and pouring easier. It’s made from food-grade LDPE and can also be used for gardening and building work.
Colic is a real concern for horses. Always ask permission before feeding apples to equines, as too many cause colic. If you do feed horses a cut up apple as a treat, feed from a flat palm to prevent choking (and discard the core).
If planting trees, know of trees to avoid near horses (including yew, oak and sycamore). Cordon off trees affected by oak processionary moths (also from livestock) and contact a vet if in contact. Mostly found in London in warm weather, report to your council and Treealert.
The Main Horse Welfare Charities in England
World Horse Welfare has heaps of helpful informaton on the website, plus you can report concerns using the phone (for emergencies) or email helplines. It rescues over 300 equines each year from neglect, and also works abroad. And importantly, it focuses on education (most causes of neglect are simply due to ignorance, not deliberate cruelty). Become a member to support this charity and you get included horse insurance.
The British Horse Society is more traditional (and is more for equestrians). But we list it as again it has heaps of good advice, and also has an excellent telephone helpline for concerns.
Welfare Issues for Horses and Ponies
Many women are unaware that some HRT drugs are made from urine, from pregnant horses (due to oestrogen). Their foals are taken away, then the horses are killed. Ask your GP to use a horse-urine free brand. Or alternatively, learn how to sail through menopause (it’s not an illness, it’s a natural part of life).
Then we have various other welfare issues:
- How to help tethered horses
- Moving on from betting on racehorses
- Moving on from horse-drawn carriages
Do Supermarkets Sell Horse Meat?
Not any more, as the slaughter of horses for consumption by humans (or animals) was banned in the UK in 2022. However the sale or horse meat is still legal. There was uproar a few years ago when some shops were selling ‘beef’ that was later found to be from horses.
