International equine charity World Horse Welfare has launched a support service called Help for Horse Owners to assist people before their ability to care for their horses is compromised. The charity has seen a significant increase in welfare incidents involving large groups of horses, with 157 cases involving more than 10 horses at risk as of November, a 44% increase from the previous year.

The rise in welfare incidents involving owners with more than 50 horses has nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024. World Horse Welfare attributes this increase to challenges such as warmer, wetter winters affecting land management practices and increased expenses. The charity’s chief field officer, Claire Gordon, believes that owners struggling to cope are facing difficulties in adapting to these climatic challenges, leading to unchecked breeding and unhandled youngstock.

Rescuing large groups of horses places strain on World Horse Welfare’s resources, including rehoming centers and field officer teams. The charity has had to invest in equipment like trailers and horse safe panels to aid in these cases. The Help for Horse Owners scheme offers guidance, advice, and support to struggling horse owners, aiming to prevent situations from escalating to the point where intervention is necessary.