Feed the herd

HorseWorld appeals for help with feed costs this winter

Horse rescue charity, HorseWorld have noticed a heart-breaking rise in the number of horses being abandoned across the South West over the last year and as Winter draws near, the charity are reaching out for support to provide these horses with the sustenance they so desperately need.

“This year, we’ve received a record number of calls to our equine welfare team with owners increasingly desperate to re-home horses due to the combination of the credit crunch and the increasing cost of feed.” Said Head of Equine Welfare, Sarah Hollister.

“It seems that the economic climate and the spiralling cost of hay is pushing owners to desperate lengths, and we are seeing an increase in owners operating on a shoe-string who can no longer cope. As a result HorseWorld are being asked to take in more horses and this has impact on our costs particularly at this time of year. We are operating at capacity and carefully plan for our winter feed supplies but with the increasing prices we find ourselves appealing for extra support this Winter.”

HorseWorld provides a home for life for over 100 horses on their farm in Whitchurch, Bristol. The heatwave in spring meant that the normal grass supplies on the charity’s land were sparse, followed by the rain downpours which flooded land and meant a lack of grazing for the winter months. This means the inevitable expense of having to feed hay instead. 

The appeal to “Feed the Herd” has been set up to help raise funds to continue to care for the rescued horses, ponies and donkeys during the Winter months.