Frequently asked questions

If you find a stray horse or pony and it is sick or injured, please call our 24-hour cruelty and advice line 0300 1234 999 to report your concerns and the exact location of the animal.

If it is not sick or injured, please check whether there is a freeze mark on the body. This is an identification mark used on horses and cattle that contains numbers and letters to identify the owner’s details. It can usually be found on the shoulder or saddle area, and the animal's fur is often white in the area around the freeze mark.

Make a note of the identification numbers/letters and call Farmkey, an organisation that reunites stray horses with their owners. Their telephone number is 0870 870 7107.

If the horse doesn't have a freeze mark on its body, we recommend that you contact your local police station for additional advice and assistance. Be aware that if you take in and confine the animal, even though it isn’t your own, you are accepting some responsibility for its future well-being. Only take on the care of a horse if you have the knowledge and means to do it effectively.

Caution:- Handling of any horse - either domestic or wild - may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include kicks and bites. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any horse and hands should be washed thoroughly when the job is finished.  A dead horse should be left for the police or local authority to move.