Important checks when rehoming a horse

Are you considering rehoming a horse? After a number of recent cases when sanctuaries, not-for-profit organisations and individuals have taken in unwanted horses from a range of backgrounds with resulting welfare problems, charities World Horse Welfare and Retraining of Racehorses have issued the following advice. 

Rehoming a horse – the essentials

•  Be wary of any organisation or individual contacting you to offer to take your horse. Some unscrupulous people will prey on anyone advertising their horse as a companion and may not always be what they

•  Do your research. Social media and the huge amount of content online is an invaluable resource in researching any individual or organisation. Ask other horse owners for advice as personal recommendations can be the best way to give you peace of mind.

•  If you’re concerned about the legitimacy of an organisation or individual ask which professionals they use (vet farrier dentist physio etc) and then contact these people to ask for their feedback.

•  Any organisation operating as a charity must be registered and possess a registered charity number. You can search for registered charities using the Charity Commission website.

•  Not-for-profit organisations are not required to be registered with any central body and are largely unregulated however all riding schools and equestrian centres must be licenced and this can be checked with your local council.

•  When transferring ownership of a horse it is the legal responsibility of the new owner to notify the passport issuing organisation (PIO) but you can also contact the PIO so as an added measure.

•  If you are loaning a horse you need to ensure a legally binding loan agreement is agreed and signed by both parties. This will set out the exact terms of the loan and responsibilities of each party.

•  If you are loaning your horse you should keep a full copy of the horse’s passport and notify the PIO that the horse is on loan.

•  If you are loaning your horse you should also be prepared to regularly visit the horse at his new home in order to check how he is getting on. Any organisation or individual who is not happy about you doing so should immediately raise alarm bells.

•  It is important to remember that once you have transferred ownership of your horse to another party you relinquish all responsibility and rights to that particular animal and the new owner is free to do what they please. This further increases the importance of making the right decision so you can have full peace of mind.

•  Visiting any potential home is essential. Check the amount and quality of grazing is there enough for the number of horses? Do all horses have free access to water? Are the fields regularly cleared of droppings?

•  Finding a safe and loving home for a horse is not an easy or quick process and if someone or something seems too good to be true then chances are it probably is too good to be true! If you are in any doubt at all then you should contact an organisation like World Horse Welfare or ROR and they will be able to advise you honestly and impartially.