HorseWorld’s open day draws record-breaking crowd, raising £13,000 for rescued animals

Visitors meeting the donkeys and Tilly the mule

A record-breaking crowd enjoyed a day of HorseWorld Discovery and Welfare Team demonstrations, hobby horse activities and lots of horsey chats and cuddles during an annual Open Day at the charity’s site in Whitchurch, Bristol.

The event at HorseWorld, which is normally closed to the public, attracted over 2,000 people and raised over £13,000 to support the care of the 100 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules living at HorseWorld.

The day offered many behind-the-scenes glimpses of the charity’s work, including tours of our 180 acre HorseWorld site, talks and insights from the HorseWorld welfare team, guess the weight of resident mule Tilly  and the opportunity to meet the horses on the Sponsorship scheme.

There were also demonstrations from Wessex Working Horses who have rehomed one of HorseWorld’s rescued Shire horses plus a demonstration by Avon Fire and Rescue service of a horse rescue.

Dime the rescued Shire horse

Sara Rutherford event organiser said “We are so grateful to everyone who came to make the day the huge success.  We had to cancel last year due to bad weather so we were delighted to be able to welcome so many people this year. We would like to thank all our supporters and volunteers, they are crucial to the continuation of our work here at HorseWorld”

HorseWorld rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses, ponies and donkeys in need and also run a unique alternative learning programme where rehabilitated, rescued horses help change the lives of young people who experience, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.