Common concerns debunked

“It’s a big risk to take in uncertain times”

“The horses remain in our ownership so if people have a change of circumstance, they always have a home with us,” says Rosanna Elliott Hart at Bransby Horses, with World Horse Welfare offering the same. And even at the Blue Cross, where ownership can be transferred after a successful loan period, the charity still offers to take horses back if needed.

“I’ll be scrutinised by the charity”

Like other charities, World Horse

Welfare’s horses are checked on twice a year by a field officer, but deputy chief executive Tony Tyler is keen to emphasise that their role is a supportive one: “We are careful that we find the right sort of home that’s safe, but I really wouldn’t want to put anybody off by thinking that we’re expecting everything to be immaculate with post-and-rail fencing.”

“The process is complicated”

“People often think rehoming is harder than just picking a horse to buy from a website, but that’s a myth,” says Vicki Alford at the Blue Cross. “We try to make it as easy as we can, while at the same time safeguarding the horse. For example, we have people who say: ‘I’ve just lost my companion and my horse is in the field on his own,’ and we can turn things around really quickly if needed.”