Equine retirement plan
How secure is your pony's future
Will your horse have a happy, secure retirement?
That's the key question the RSPCA is urging all equine owners in England and Wales to consider as part of a regional campaign.
The RSPCA's South and South West Region has got together with south-west based equine charities, HorseWorld and The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, to encourage equine owners to be responsible and plan for their animal's future.
Why the campaign?
Every year the RSPCA and other equine rescue and rehabilitation charities receive hundreds of enquiries from members of the public asking for help in finding homes for unwanted equines of all ages.
The problem is made worse as many equine owners do not consider taking on a horse, pony or donkey to be a lifetime commitment. Once the animals can no longer do the job they were acquired for, which can affect young and old alike, many sadly become unwanted.
And many equine owners wrongly assume that when they no longer want an equine due to its age and/or health, or for other personal reasons, there will be lots of places the animal can go to enjoy a happy, secure retirement.
The reality of the situation is that there are very few equine sanctuaries in England and Wales. And charities such as the RSPCA, HorseWorld and The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, which take in equines for rehabilitation and rehoming, are unable to cope with the volume of requests for help that they receive.
It's all about responsible horse ownership
RSPCA equine rehoming officer, Sally Learoyd, said: "While there are many responsible caring equine owners who plan for their animals' future, other people see horses simply as commodities that have no value and hold no interest once the animal cannot do the job it was bought to do.
"Responsible ownership is about ensuring an animal does not face an uncertain future. This is why it is vital that people have a retirement plan for every equine they take on.
"Part of that plan should be a pension element - considering the costs of caring for an animal for the remainder of its life. If you are in any doubt as to whether you can afford to do so, you should not take a horse or pony on in the first place.
"A seasoned horse owner knows that the care an animal needs in winter varies with its requirements in spring and summer. Just as equines need special attention in the winter of their lives, as they get older or have special needs due to injury or illness.
"Seasoned owners also recognise how cool companion equines can be and that just because a horse, pony or donkey cannot be ridden or worked, it can still have a worthwhile and fulfilling life."
Are you a seasoned horse owner?
In a bid to find out the extent of the problem, the RSPCA's South and South West Region and its campaign partners asked people in England and Wales to complete an anonymous 'Equine retirement plan' questionnaire.
The questionnaire was open to anyone who owns, loans, shares or rides an equine on a regular basis, even if it's as part of a riding school or trekking centre, and asked people to be totally honest about the plans for the animal's future.
RSPCA animal welfare manager for the South and South West Region, Kevin Manning, said:
It is vital we build up a picture about equines and the uncertain future many of them face to help us prevent future generations of animals from suffering.
The results of the questionnaire are now being collated and will be published here so please check back here soon.
