2016 initiative shines a light on The Invisible Horse. What is the biggest challenge we face? The pony who was bought for a handful of change

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1 Spring initiative shines a light on The Invisible Horse The pony who was bought for a handful of change Roly reports on Guatemala What is the biggest challenge we face?

2 In this Issue... Page 7: The latest from our transportation campaign Page 8: Who are the Invisible Horses we want to help? Page 15: The pony rescued from an inner city garden Cover: a foal in Honduras where over 130,000 working horses support around 4 million people living in rural communities. Despite the bitter weather I was so delighted to be photographed here with foal Rudolph, who you may have seen across the national news in late December. This vulnerable foal had been abandoned in a Christmas tree plantation with an untreated infection in his eye as well as a serious wound on his leg. You enabled us to reach Rudolph quickly and I am sure you will share my relief at his splendid recovery. He is such an affectionate soul that it's impossible to imagine anyone turning their backs on his suffering - but that is exactly what happened one bleak December night. Rudolph is just one of the millions of horses for which we have launched our Invisible Horse initiative, shining a light on horses all over the world whose suffering goes unnoticed, is ignored or who people simply choose not to see. Turn to page 8 to find out more about our plans for the year, as well as how you can get involved. Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoy reading about how you are helping We create our magazine in-house and it is printed on paper that has been produced using pulp from sustainable forestry, ensuring it is kind to the environment while keeping costs to a minimum. We hope you enjoy hearing about the work your support makes possible, and if you ever have any questions or suggestions we would love you to write to us or press@worldhorsewelfare.org Contact us Anne Colvin House Snetterton Norfolk NR16 2LR UK e: info@worldhorsewelfare.org w: Phone: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) UK Welfare: +44 (0) Merchandise: +44 (0) Membership: +44 (0) Calls may be recorded for training purposes. President HRH The Princess Royal Vice Presidents The Hon Gerald Maitland-Carew Christopher Hall OBE Chairman Barry Johnson MRCVS Chief Executive Roly Owers MRCVS Registered charity no: and SC038384

3 1 2 News in pictures Filming nine horses with a fog machine could have been chaotic, but Hall Farm's horses were true stars. However, there is a very serious point to this rock 'n roll film: to encourage as many people as possible to join the charge and sign up to the CARE About Laminitis study. Watch the film on com/horsecharity and sign up at When the BBC's Countryfile came to research the Control of Horses Act, Huckleberry and Dash were in no mood for standing patiently while reporter Tom Heap interviewed Field Officer Jacko Jackson. The crew were in stitches as the two youngsters fooled around together - their energy was boundless. 3. We are delighted to be chosen as Charity of the Year at the 2016 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and are looking for volunteers to help us at this world-class event. Find out more at Thank you! 4. You are the lifeblood of our charity. Without your generous donations we simply could not help the sheer number of desperate horses that we do every year. Read our promise to you at: Have you got experience of backing a horse? If so, could you give a home to Drifter? She's very special and at 13hh could make a lovely ridden pony for an experienced child or small adult. Drifter has come such a long way but now really needs a loving home where she can reach her potential. 6. Whilst Somerton got off lightly compared to some other floodhit areas, Glenda Spooner Farm's winter grazing paddocks were too waterlogged to get machinery onto in the usual way. However, regular muck clearing is essential to keep horses parasite-free, so our maintenance team have been clearing the fields throughout the night when the ground is frozen. The horses are really benefiting from their dedication

4 What does Challenging the Status Quo mean to you? Our lively annual conference in November put welfare challenges centre stage. The line-up of erudite speakers from across the international horse industry confronted some of the most controversial and difficult subjects faced by welfare charities, the authorities and horse owners worldwide. The guests, including our online audience, left this annual event with renewed confidence to challenge the status quo, which could make positive welfare changes for horses everywhere. Sir Jim Paice - former Defra Minister Should I stay or should I go? Would our horses be better off inside the EU, or out of it? The issues of movement rules, disease and ID have an enormous impact on welfare. Almost all of those controls (for import/export) are unenforceable or irrelevant unless the animals can be properly identified and the system has integrity. Josep Subirana - Veterinary Surgeon 'Murder, mercy or taboo? An international view of the prickly issue of euthanasia. Contrary to wild animals, domesticated ones don t have the mercy of wild predators euthanasia is a compassionate act that should be granted to animals in need because the alternative is much worse. I hope this sort of event can help reach people with the right information, not necessarily the trendiest. Animals are for life, not for convenience. HRH The Princess Royal, President Dr Sue Dyson - Animal Health Trust The silent killer: is fat really a welfare problem? Pleasure horses are twice as likely to be obese as competition horses. We have to educate owners, trainers and judges. All parts of the industry need to work responsibly and act soon. John Francome - former jockey Tradition on the course: challenging the status quo in racing. "I don t think anyone looks at racing and thinks: 'I wish he d given him a few more round the backside'." We didn t put on our conference as an academic exercise, to get a headline or create an argument. I am confident that if we all make just one change, by this time next year the world will be a better place for horses. Roly Owers Search for World Horse Welfare Conference 2015 on YouTube to see our speakers in action. 4

5 Our Charity in Action session busted welfare myths and brought our work to life. UK Myth: Worms don t kill! International Myth: British is best Bloating, diarrhoea and death can be the tragic consequences of a heavy worm burden. Sadly, we see this far too often in neglected horses who aren t wormed, but traditional worming routines are also putting much-loved horses at risk. Belwade Farm s Assistant Manager, Caroline Heard, explains why: Blanket use of wormers encourages the development of drug resistance, which can be fatal. This resistance is becoming more common throughout the horse population. Carrying out faecal egg counts so we can respond to the needs of each individual horse at Belwade Farm is critical to good welfare and saves us around 3,400 each year compared to traditional worming practices. Over 3,000 children - the next generation of working horse owners - have learnt the value of good welfare thanks to our initiatives. A benefit of working with in-country partners and other charities based in the region, such as Save The Children, is their local knowledge. Head of Programme Development Karen O Malley explains: Our in-country partners help us adapt to the environment in which working horse owners live so we can find local solutions to local problems. Our aim is that the messages we bring to children today are sustainable and can be shared with their families so they will benefit working horses for years to come. Campaigns Myth: Horses in the UK are safe from being exported for slaughter Despite legislation being in place to protect UK-based horses from indiscriminate export for slaughter they remain at risk. Our Chief Executive Roly Owers paints a worrying picture: Ferry companies are often forced to decide whether a horse should be transported when in fact accountability lies with the proper authorities. We want one government body the Animal and Plant Health Agency to become the leading enforcement agent to stop illegal trafficking of horses. Organisations like us can provide them with information to act on so that the criminals who are illegally moving horses in and out of the UK are stopped. 5

6 One of our CBEAs confidently using a higher-welfare halter EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING Inappropriate handling of horses is a common sight for our international teams. Many owners are not able to read their horse s body language and may react aggressively to what they deem as bad behaviour. Horses are often controlled using no more than a length of rope tied in a noose around their neck, meaning owners have little control and so often use force to make their horse behave. Throughout our international programmes our first priority is to change these out-ofdate handling practices by teaching people how to make higher-welfare halters using the piece of rope they had previously used as a noose. Our Community Based Equine Advisors (CBEAs) are given the skills to train horse owners on effective handling techniques as well as how to understand basic equine behaviour and A typical noose-style halter read body language. We emphasise that what is often deemed bad behaviour can be avoided if the horse is treated in a compassionate and thoughtful way with the result being a much more responsive horse. In Nicaragua the first phase of the CBEA owner training is complete in the working horse Failure to make the link between pain and behaviour is a problem throughout the horse community. Belwade Farm's Assistant Manager Caroline Heard says: "A common misconception is 'no blood = no pain', which simply isn't the case. We know that issues such as head shaking, rearing and biting can be a response to pain." Last June communities of the Leon and La Paz Centro regions. Over 90% of horse owners and their families have participated in training which focuses on understanding behaviour. There is already a noticeable improvement in the way owners behave towards their horses in a more confident and sympathetic manner. Roly spoke at The Royal Veterinary College saying: "It isn t just acute pain that needs to be considered. Fear can be from past memories, not just what is actually happening to the horse at the time." 6

7 Your donations are working hard to end this unnecessary practice Europe must unite to end this suffering Our campaign to end the long-distance transportation of horses across Europe to slaughter is as active as ever. Thanks to your support, our action on issues such as partitioning and improved enforcement has resulted in a drastic reduction in injuries and deaths. Our evidence also confirms that fewer horses are making these unnecessary journeys, but we remain focussed on our ultimate goal of ending the practices that cause exhaustion, dehydration and injuries. Unfortunately the animal health report that included TRACES, which shows officially recorded movements, is no longer publicly available so the last figures we have are for 2012 showing that 54,000 horses are still suffering due to these journeys. We are encouraged by this drastic cut in numbers, from 165,000 in 2001, but it is still 54,000 too many so it is vital that we know exactly how many horses are involved in the trade and are pushing the EC to reinstate official reporting. Sadly for these horses not all Member States (MS's) can agree that current legislation needs to be changed in order to make welfare improvements, or that there are further nonlegislative steps that need to be taken. In January Roly met with the Danish Minister for Agriculture as well as our UK Minister George Eustice - Denmark, Sweden and Germany agree that the Transport Regulation must be reviewed and similar meetings with other MS's are planned throughout the year in an effort to unite Europe on this important issue. We must secure agreement that all animals, including horses, have different welfare needs and at our Annual Conference former DEFRA Minister Sir Jim Paice reiterated our concerns: "In EU law horses fall between different legislative stools and much is left to individual Member States to interpret, creating huge welfare variations on the ground." Our co-authored report on Europe's horse population 'Removing the Blinkers' demonstrates the economic and social significance of horses and is one tool we are using to lobby all MEP's to help put a stop to the suffering of thousands of horses that continue to be invisible on Europe's roads. Practical guidance documents produced by us, covering watering during transport and fitness for transport, have been embraced by stakeholders, including transporters, vets and farmers. Both are being translated into seven languages. Your support makes all the difference Every action you take to help raise the profile of issues that seriously impact horse welfare is valuable. To order your copy of our new campaigns leaflet, which includes information about our current campaigns as well as ideas for actions you can take, call Kirsten Cooke on or kirstencooke@worldhorsewelfare.org. Thank you. 7

8 THE INVISIBLE HORSE None of us could imagine ignoring the suffering of a horse. Yet every day millions of horses around the world - including here in the UK - seem invisible. Throughout 2016 we will be highlighting the plight of The Invisible Horse - those horses whose suffering goes unnoticed both in the UK and internationally, from the horses left in barns and stables for weeks on end, to those working on the streets of Choluteca in Honduras. In this issue we will be shining a spotlight on invisible foals, who are so vulnerable and often unseen. In ,000 foals were registered in the UK but we estimate around 15,000 more were not. We fear these invisible foals face an uncertain future. Visitors to our Centres are always pleased to see a foal or two gambolling around our paddocks. It's reassuring to know that foals in our care will never face an uncertain future, but the suffering that some mares face in order to bring new life into the world can often be immense. Roly is candid about the impact of breeding on the horse crisis: "Whilst equine charities face such enormous demands everyone's default setting should be to not breed. There are already too many horses and not enough good homes. Those looking for a special competition horse should consider using the four years it would take to mature your own foal to save up for a horse with a proven track record of success. The risks are too great - not only on the breeder and the mare, but also on our growing horse community." Adoption horse India came to us extremely malnourished, with a foal at foot and pregnant. Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre Manager Sue Hodgkins says: "India has produced two lovely foals. However when she came to us at just ten years old she should have been in her prime, but instead she can never be ridden. She was left to run in a field with a stallion and there was absolutely no regard for India's wellbeing or that of her foals." If you have the expertise to give a home to one of our youngsters then please visit the rehoming section of our website. 8 India arrived with Lucas at foot A heavily pregnant but malnourished India India's foal Raj was born in our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre

9 Case Study Fragile Rhoswyn with her adopted foal Zoe Rhoswyn was found on a freezing Welsh hillside. The heart-breaking fate of this beautiful mare is accentuated by the fact that she was nursing her own foal Orlagh as well as an orphaned foal Zoe. In her emaciated state she was sustaining these two vulnerable fillies and in doing so sacrificing her own health to keep them alive. Tragically within just hours of arriving at Glenda Spooner Farm this heroic mother died. Rhoswyn's adopted foal Zoe Rhoswyn's own foal Orlagh Do you know about our Need to Breed initiative? We're asking everyone who is considering breeding to research all the options, as well as the risks, before making the decision. Find out more at: Visit us at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials from 4th - 8th May and take part in our Invisible Horse Trail. The trail is open to people of all ages so pick up a trail guide, which has been kindly sponsored by Alpha-card, at our stand or with your official programme and whilst you're walking the cross country course or enjoying your picnic lunch you can spot our trail of inspirational horses. Inspired by our very own adoption horse May and modelled by Badminton Horse Trials trophy designer Judy Boyt, each one will be sponsored and painted by a celebrated artist. 9

10 We currently have around 50 horses and ponies who are ready to find their perfect home Hercules named Supreme Champion Hercules was taken into World Horse Welfare's care after being found with chronic grass sickness and just a 2% chance of survival. But his incredible will to live and the role he played in helping his rehomer Alison Ironside overcome breast cancer helped him claim Supreme Champion in our 2015 Rehomed Horse of the Year (RHOTY) competition. Alison was unable to ride for months during gruelling cancer treatment but she spent many hours grooming Hercules. When she decided to get back in the saddle there was only one horse she would trust with her lack of physical strength. She says: He s a bright pony so of course he knew. There was no one else I trusted to take me out. He ll never, ever let you down. Olympic gold-medallist and RHOTY judge, Jane Holderness-Roddam, said: Hercules curtailed his natural exuberance throughout Alison's rehabilitation, probably because he understood how important it was to fight to survive. This inbuilt sensitivity shows true friendship. Thank you to everyone who entered our 2015 competition. We loved reading your funny, touching and personal tributes and it was a real challenge picking all three winners, including Su and Wally. Su's rehomer Katherine Carson nominated her for the Biggest Achievement category following Su's 16-year Riding for the Disabled service as well as her role as a trustworthy family pony. Category judge Pippa Funnell said: " Her story really choked me up when I think of all the people she has helped. World Horse Welfare Wally won Funniest Anecdote category. His rehomers, Roger and Trish Pickett had the category's judge, Olympian Richard Davison, in stitches. Richard said: I just loved the images of Wally peeing on command, and removing Dad's walking stick. It must be chaotic ensuring Wally pees precisely on cue, while Dad is sending Maydays from halfway down the field because his walking stick has been removed. What must the neighbours think?" Does your World Horse Welfare horse have what it takes to be our 2016 Rehomed Horse of the Year? Look out for social media posts as well as our letter inviting you to take part. World Horse Welfare Su World Horse Welfare Wally Alison rehomed Hercules as a youngster in Watch their touching story on our Youtube channel - horsecharity Thank you for your generous response to our Christmas appeal, which told Nellie and Napoleon's story. Your donations are already providing grooming supplies, hay, supplementary feed, veterinary care and treatments, remedial farriery and nutritious supplements for horses undergoing rehabilitation. Over 12,000 people have watched the moving moment when welfare caller Rachel Edgerton saw Nellie and Napoleon for the first time since they came into our care. Rachel discovered the two ponies freezing, malnourished and frightened on the edge of a busy road. Thanks to your donations and Rachel calling us they are thriving in new homes. Watch their film on Youtube. 10

11 Huckleberry was found in poor condition Huckleberry on the mend at our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre Landmark legislation changes Huckleberry's fate The rescue of Huckleberry - the foal found on an rubbish tip last September - was a key milestone for the charity, as he was the first horse to come into our care under the 2015 Control of Horses Act. Huckleberry s story caught the eye of many people across the UK, including the team at BBC Countryfile who featured him in January. He was found in poor condition and being illegally fly-grazed at just a few months old. Thanks to the Control of Horses Act we could quickly remove him to the safety of our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre to begin his rehabilitation. The Control of Horses Act gives greater powers to landowners and local authorities to remove horses being grazed on public or private land without permission. Your donations allowed us to take in Huckleberry and turn his life around. Despite his difficult start he's developed a wonderful personality and is quite a cheeky chap, keeping the grooms on their toes and the bigger horses in check. Tender loving welfare You may remember Dash from our last issue the little colt found in a pitiful state on a patch of wasteland. Field Officer Emma Swadlo described him as weak and frightened...a horse who has never known human kindness." We are delighted to report that Dash has made a tremendous recovery, as his groom Lorraine Holmes explains: Dash is best friends with Huckleberry, who is several months younger but has helped to show him how to have fun and trust humans. They have shared lots of new experiences, such as joining a herd and meeting the farrier - they even starred in the BBC's Countryfile! During the winter months Dash has become healthier and stronger. We are incredibly proud of him and it won t be long before he s ready to continue his education in a new home. Do you, or someone you know, have the time and patience to help our youngsters mature into wellmannered and socially confident horses? If so, please visit 11

12 Roly Reports on Guatemala Roly recently returned from a trip to Guatemala where he met with the British Embassy and the Veterinary Faculty of the University de San Carlos about our programme there. The four communities of the Zaragoza region where we operate sit about 40 miles outside Guatemala City. In this area alone there are around 1,100 working horses, helping to provide the main income for these impoverished communities. Here Roly shares what he saw. to resources and education. In this punishing setting, horses are an essential means of transport (of both people and goods) and they often travel miles each day to take materials to the local market or carry food supplies home. As the world around them changes, the people of Zaragoza and their horses are at risk of being left far behind. But your support is giving them a better future. Our Guatemalan project has been running for over three years and creating lasting change is our goal. One fundamental achievement is our development of a local organisation, SABE (now our official in-country partner) ensuring longevity and impact. The news gives us daily reports about the fragile state of the world and in Zaragoza fragility and uncertainty are themes that strike at the very heart of their existence. The lush, dense forests that carpet Guatemala give the impression of plenty, but according to the UN more than 50% of people live in poverty, which they cite as being not just a lack of income, but deprivation of access The in-country team has helped to train farriers, saddlers and Community Based Equine Advisers (CBEAs) to create an Equine Welfare Network that is capable of supporting horse owning communities across the Zaragoza area and the wider San Andres Itzapa region. I spent time with Project Coordinator Jaime and vet Leonardo. Their view is that World Horse Welfare has enabled communities to access what was previously unavailable. We helped them adapt readily available materials to be used in pain-free harnessing. Our partnership with the local veterinary school has given vets of the future 12

13 practical training with horses that was unheard of three years ago. Trusted people in remote villages have learnt how to make hoof trimming tools and use them safely, as well as how to correctly fit and remove shoes, whilst owners have learnt that simply picking hooves out each day can help prevent lameness and ensure their horses work more comfortably. Farriery and saddlery graduates have been provided with basic materials to build workshops that serve the horse owners within their community and their client lists are each about 30 horses a month. That is 30 horses in each community receiving quality care that previously simply didn't exist. As well as driving trade towards our trained farriers and saddlers to improve equine welfare CBEAs also receive ongoing training in handling, health and nutrition. They have learnt how to safely identify, grow and use the most common medicinal plants, such as chamomile and aloe vera, which treat infections and wounds. Communities now have orchards of medicinal plants, which are accessible, effective and very cheap to sustain. It s perhaps surprising but there is a significant cross over between what I saw in Zaragoza and what I see at our UK Centres: good welfare is fairly simple. However the reasons why welfare is compromised can be quite different. In the UK people may have the means, but some lack the motivation to care. In Zaragoza they simply need the know-how and the tools the uplifting truth is that the motivation is clear to see. Ultimately it is so inspiring to see this region flourish with skilled service providers, practical knowledge and an enlightened approach to horse care; and we are seeing similar successes across all of our international programmes. Looking forward, the way we can broaden our reach is to develop new programmes in countries where working horses and their owners need us most - and this is exactly what we are doing. 13

14 A huge thank you to all our rehomers 2015 was another recordbreaking year for rehoming as 320 of our rehabilitated horses found loving new homes. From the first of our Retraining of Racehorses pilot project beneficiaries, Ollie, to one of the stars of our Christmas appeal, handsome Napoleon, our Class of 2015 is a group to be proud of. There have been many touching stories such as rehomer Anna Stephens who asked for the pony everyone just walked past - the invisible horse. Penny Farm Centre Manager Fran Williamson knew just the one: Fern had a tough start in life but she is such a gentle soul who just needs to be loved. Anna offered her the ideal home." Deputy Chief Executive Tony Tyler says: The last 40 days of 2015 demonstrated why rehoming remains a priority for the charity, when we brought Ponies like Sooty, pictured here, (known as Sweep), found devoted homes for life through our scheme. Susan Fayers rehomed him 18 years ago as a companion. Sadly Sweep died last year but Susan wrote to us saying: " Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to care for such a special little pony who meant so much to us!" in over one third of our entire capacity. It is encouraging to see so many people opting for rehoming instead of buying as it gives our horses the home they deserve, plus makes space at our Centres for those in desperate need of our expert care. We would like to encourage our wonderful rehomers to enter The Royal Norfolk Show's rescue horse section. This new addition to the show's packed schedule is an important showcase for horses just like yours who may have been through incredibly tough times because of neglect and suffering but who are now thriving thanks to rehomers who have given them the opportunity for a new life. The Royal Norfolk Show takes place on 29th and 30th June. Find out more at: Our project in Senegal participated in the county's National Livestock Day We were able to showcase our work with horse owning communities to Senegalese President Macky Sall as well as to the Prime Minister, Livestock Minister and other officials when they visited our stand. As well as meeting the in-country team, the Ministers asked pertinent questions about how to achieve good horse welfare. Senegal is home to 500,000 horses, many of whom transport locals, tourists, goods and materials through urban areas. The National Equine Health Survey will take place from 23rd to 30th May 2016 Run in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association, it s a unique opportunity for you to give feedback about the health of your horse, pony, donkey or mule so that the most common diseases and problems can be identified, prioritised and addressed. Take part at 14

15 A handful of change for a pony When little filly Bella stopped eating and drinking her owner made a call to our advice line that changed Bella's fate for good. Bella was kept in a makeshift shelter on a housing estate in Manchester and being fed vegetable peelings, including potatoes which are poisonous to horses. Field Officer John Cunningham responded to the urgent call from head office to visit Bella and explains: Her condition was poor and the circumstances that she was being kept in were totally unsuitable. She was underweight, had no turn-out and her diet was doing her more harm than good. John established that at just 9 months old Bella had been bought for a handful of change. The woman who contacted us was not ever expecting to be given a pony and had no idea about even her most basic needs. Roly says: When a pony can be bought for less than the cost of a pint of beer then their future could be very precarious. Tragically we know that horses with a very low financial value like Bella are extremely Bella is full of affection and now has the chance to mature into a super little pony in her fantastic new home vulnerable to neglect, as well as illegal export a subject that we are actively campaigning to stop." Bella s story, however, is one of hope. Her owner was able to turn to us. Thanks to the dedication of our Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre team Bella is now the picture of health. Centre Manager Fran Williamson says: As well as being very underweight Bella had strangles so she had to spend several months in isolation. Thankfully though her condition caused no longterm damage and she really is the most affectionate little pony. We are thrilled that a year on we have found her the loving new home she deserves and in time we hope she ll become a cherished child s pony. Watch Bella's story and see her transformation by visiting Youtube and searching for horsecharity. Your donations fund our Advice and Welfare Lines, keep our Field Officers on the road and provide expert treatment and compassionate care at our Rescue and Rehoming Centres for ponies just like Bella. Thank you. Advice Line: / Welfare Line:

16 What is our biggest challenge? Once our expert team puts a rescued horse on the road to recovery and they are able join the herds of horses grazing paddocks in Aberdeenshire, Lancashire, Norfolk and Somerset we often face a new challenge - keeping the weight off. Visit our website and search Right Weight to find out how to fat score your horse Most of us realise why it's important for horses not to be underweight, but are we aware of the longterm health problems associated with carrying too much weight? At our annual conference Dr Sue Dyson from the Animal Health Trust highlighted the dangers of horses being overweight for a prolonged period. Increased load on limbs, susceptibility to Equine Metabolic Syndrome and laminitis, as well as the pressure on organs reduces a horse's performance and ultimately his life expectancy. Our Deputy Chief Executive Tony Tyler is all too familiar with the challenge of keeping our herds of horses in good shape: "Just like humans, all horses, ponies, donkeys and mules will gain weight if they are consuming more calories than they are burning - getting the balance of energy in versus energy out can be tricky. Our own experience is that it is far harder to diet an overweight horse or pony than to keep the weight off in the first place, but it is essential to keep horses and ponies trim if they are to remain healthy." QUICK FACT: Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) has been linked to Type II diabetes in humans. It increases the likelihood of laminitis but fortunately this can usually be controlled by appropriate weight loss combined with a healthy regime. "We need to recognise the problem and its consequences." Dr Sue Dyson, Animal Health Trust World Horse Welfare's 2015 Annual Conference Meet Puzzle Puzzle had a body condition score of 5 out of 5 (where 0 is emaciated and 5 is obese) so it was essential to increase his activity and reduce his intake of calories. Over seven months he was managed in a variety of ways, including being turned out on a bark paddock, walked in hand and taken out on ride and lead hacks, long-reined, lunged and time on the horse walker. His hay was soaked and he was given a programme of pole work by the physio. This gradual change in his routine resulted in him losing 14 stone in weight - the equivalent of this 13.1hh pony off-loading a fully grown man, who he had been carrying around 24 hours a day. 16 If you are concerned that your horse or pony is carrying too much weight we are here to help. You can contact our Advice Line on or visit the Advice / Research pages of our website and click on Right Weight.

17 Here are some of our tried and tested weight management methods Energy In Energy Out We generally don't give hard feed unless the horse is in a high level of work or under specific veterinary advice Grass contains calories too! Whilst generally horses need to graze for 18 hours per day, we consider how many calories a horse is burning and plan his grazing accordingly Some of our horses wear grazing muzzles - we gradually build up the time they spend in them to give the horses time to adjust We accurately weigh hay nets to monitor and control calorie intake. Small holed hay nets are very effective at reducing the rate horses eat forage. Some horses also have hay which has been soaked to reduce the calorie content A brisk walk or steady trot are the best paces for burning fat we lunge, as well as take them for walks on the lead rein. We also use horse walkers and hack out ridden horses as often as possible Turn-out doesn't necessarily need to be on grass - our bark paddocks and riding arenas give the horses space to stretch their legs without constant access to food Very few of our horses wear rugs, whatever the weather, as their natural coats are designed to keep them sufficiently warm and dry and they burn more calories to keep their body temperature up. Some horses who are prone to weight gain have the underside of their necks and bellies clipped so they use even more calories to keep warm Laying the groundwork for good nutrition Across the developing world many horse owners are faced with the difficult challenge of ensuring their working horses have a suitable diet. Grazing and hay are rarely available and when they are other livestock are often given priority. Furthermore, concentrate feeds are unaffordable to the majority of owners. However, through our collaborative international projects, we are helping owners to identify natural and low-cost alternatives to enable them to feed their horses with a more nutritionally balanced diet. This year in Nicaragua we are researching the typical nutritional input of a working horse and comparing this to the amount of energy used in an average working day. We can then provide owners with practical and available food alternatives to encourage them to feed their horse a diet that is more appropriate. In our Guatemalan and Costa Rican projects we are in the early stages of growing more nutritious varieties of grasses and herbs within horse owning communities. We are committed to making these 'equine super-foods' widely available to horse owners across our programmes during 2016, giving horses the energy they need to meet the demands of working life. 17

18 Solicitor and experienced horse owner Rebecca Stojak has volunteered her services for your new legal Q&A column Q: I would like to leave my two ponies to World Horse Welfare. A: To leave your ponies to World Horse Welfare you will need to specify your wish when you write your Will (ideally with a solicitor). World Horse Welfare will have specific wording that you need to use to ensure that they can take ownership of the ponies. If not properly written into your Will, the charity may not be able to take ownership of them. They will also advise you on any terms and conditions associated with leaving your ponies to the charity. I would strongly recommend giving the charity a call before writing your Will. Q: Can I place conditions on them being left to World Horse Welfare? A: I understand that World Horse Welfare cannot accept any conditional clauses which may put restrictions on their care as this could prevent World Horse Welfare from rehoming them. Conditions, including rehoming the horses together, your family staying in touch with the ponies, or the ponies remaining at a World Horse Welfare Centre, are restrictive and could cause the gift to fail. World Horse Welfare will do its very best to ensure that your horse or pony is rehomed to a fantastic new home and they has successfully found loving new homes for thousands of horses. Please read the horse gifting in a will information or speak to Dawn Witney at the charity on , before making a decision on your horses future. If you have any queries about what you should and should not include in your Will, or about making or updating your Will seek legal advice. Some solicitors offer a free initial chat or you may have a legal helpline as part of an insurance policy. Rebecca Stojak is a solicitor at law firm Shakespeare Martineau. If you have a legal question that you would like answered in our next issue please dawnwitney@ worldhorsewelfare.org marking your Legal Q&A. All questions are published anonymously. Rebecca cannot reply individually to questions. Sierra Nevada Challenge 13 to 20 August 2016 Iceland Round Up Challenge 5 to 12 September 2016 Come and join us in the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains to ride pure bred Andalusians along the Alpujarra trail and high into the mountain villages. The trail involves a two day, high-altitude ride so is not for the faint-hearted! The horses are beautiful Andalusians, carefully selected for their intelligence, endurance and good nature. Spaces are filling quickly but we would still love intrepid riders to join us. Take part in one of Iceland s traditional celebrations as you ride into the far north to bring the sheep down from the mountains for winter. You will ride Icelandic ponies, mainly at the tölt, and must be prepared to ride and lead your spare horse also at points on the ride you will need to climb on foot whilst leading your horses. Don t miss this once-in-a-lifetime riding experience - register today To take part in our overseas challenge rides for 2016 you must be an intermediate or above standard rider, very fit and brave. For full terms and conditions and to register your interest contact Fran on or francesplume@worldhorsewelfare.org. For a brochure and registration form visit Fundraising-downloads. Places are limited and offered on a strictly first come first served basis.

19 "...lack of knowledge emphasises the value of World Horse Welfare s work in educating communities about how to sustainably reduce disease risk." Our Student Bursary Scheme gives vets and farriers of the future firsthand experience of horse welfare challenges. Here, Bursary beneficiary Kirsten Anderson shares her field investigation in Honduras. "My study investigated owner awareness and knowledge of equine infectious diseases. Whilst all horses are susceptible to disease, lack of education and access to affordable veterinary treatment and advice means working horses overseas are even more vulnerable. "I interviewed 130 owners - some from communities already within World Horse Welfare s programme and others who weren t. I wanted to find out what diseases owners thought their horses might be at risk of, what symptoms they recognised, how they thought infection might occur and what practices were in place to prevent disease. "Awareness was lower within communities which were not part of the programme. Many owners didn t know about prevention or treatment. There was often confusion about how diseases might be transmitted to horses. This lack of knowledge emphasises the value of World Horse Welfare s work in educating communities about how to sustainably reduce disease risk. "The findings of my study will now help to inform disease surveillance and control in Honduras and support horse owners in protecting their animals from disease." Kirsten talked to 130 owners in 16 communities to establish their perception of disease risks Open wounds caused by badly fitting harnesses make these horses highly susceptible to disease Kirsten reached out to children to engender a positive attitude to good horse welfare Our programme in Honduras helps owners of horses like this one to recognise early clinical signs of disease, manage them and access treatment. There are over 130,000 working horses in Honduras and rural poverty amongst its population of 4 million is the worst in Central America. Since 2013 we have been improving local services, such as farriers, saddlers and vets, and teaching owners basic husbandry. Our community sessions are having a tangible impact on many welfare issues, including disease awareness and prevention 21 19

20 Storm Desmond caused real disruption, but all of the horses remained safe Penny Farm Blackpool, Lancashire. Open every Wednesday, weekend and Bank Holiday from 11am to 4pm. Penny Farm felt the brunt of Storm Desmond, with many fields more like lakes for several weeks. The farm was worst hit on Boxing Day as ditches burst their banks, but the team worked tirelessly to ensure the horses were safe and well and many horses lived in until the water subsided. Despite the bad weather the Christmas Fair was a real success, raising over 1,000, so huge thanks to everyone who braved the rain to support us. Dates for your diary: we are open throughout the Easter Holidays so come along for activities including Easter egg hunts and colouring competitions, as well as to sample delicious seasonal treats in our coffee shop. On Wednesday 13th and 20th April we will have Groom a Pony sessions, a bouncy castle, face painting and so much more. Our Annual Fun Dog Show takes place on Monday 2nd May. Classes include Cutest Dog and Prettiest Bitch as well as the chance to try agility. School holiday fun kicks-off again on Wednesday 1st June with the launch of 'Dale s Trail 2016'. Finally, it's our 15th birthday in June and we're having a party! Please come along and help us celebrate 15 years of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses at our beautiful Lancashire home. See our Facebook page for details. Find our farm on Facebook! Penny Farm regularly hosts school and college visits - speak to Zoe to book yours Thanks to wonderful volunteer Ba Gibbons we now have our own o Belwade Tartan 20 It was a real pleasure having artist Judy Boyt with us - and May was amazing! Glenda Spooner Farm Somerton, Somerset. Open all year on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm until 4pm. The relentless wet weather has caused problems around the farm, from foot abscesses to mud fever, which were spotted quickly and treated. Sadly, some of our new arrivals haven t had such prompt treatment and therefore came to us suffering from terrible weather-related conditions which everyone, including our vets, farriers, grooms and volunteers, is working hard to remedy. Find our farm on Facebook! Barney at Glenda Spooner Farm. Strawberry arrived with rainscald but is on the mend Our wonderful adoption horse May had an exciting start to the year as she became the muse for Badminton Horse Trials trophy designer Judy Boyt s Invisible Horse sculpture. May was brilliantly behaved as Judy worked quickly to capture her every detail. We can t wait to see May in lots of different guises in The Invisible Horse Trail at this year s Badminton Horse Trials! We are hoping that the real May will also be there. Our building work is due to be finished in late spring and June will be a wonderful month to come and see us so please plan a visit. We will be open five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday serving hot and cold food in our lovely new coffee shop. There will be an exciting playground for children and smart new conference facilities too. We all feel honoured that our Patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be officially opening the facilities in July. Thank you to everyone who has approached us recently offering to volunteer this is so important as our centre expands and the demands on rehoming continue to grow.

21 Find our farm on Facebook! rbara fficial Belwade Farm Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. Open all year Wednesday to Sunday, from 11am to 4pm. Belwade Farm remained on high alert in January as Storm Desmond caused untold devastation in the area. The River Dee burst its banks and debris, including part of a mobile home, littered Belwade. Many fences were destroyed but thankfully all of the horses and staff remained safe. On a brighter note, in celebration of Belwade's 25th anniversary volunteer, Barbara Gibbons, designed and gifted our own Belwade Tartan. Look out for it at the farm and at Badminton Horse Trials. In Belwade's 25th year of helping Scotland's horses we have so many events for the entire family starting with our Easter Fun Day on Sunday 27th March and Easter holiday 'Groom Digger' sessions on 6th April and 13th April. Please call Lisa on to book your places. Visit our Facebook page for details of the annual Farriery Competition, which starts on 30th April. Our Visitor Centre is holding a Photo Exhibition with the Deeside Camera Club starting on 16th June. We are also about to launch our own photography competition, which includes an under 16's category, so keep an eye on our social media pages for details. Book your place now for our Farrier and Vet Talk on Thursday 16th June. Our younger intrepid supporters will love our Pollinators and Pond Creatures Day on Saturday 18th June in association with Marr Ranger - it promises to be a fun-packed, fresh-air filled day! After all that excitement you might need a break so book up now for our Father s Day Bistro Special on Sunday 19th June. Youngster Janet needs a rehomer who can manage her sweet-itch and bring her on Find our farm on Facebook! Hall Farm Snetterton, Norfolk. Open all year on weekends and Bank Holidays, from 10am to 4pm. Hall Farm rehomed a record-breaking 120 horses in 2015 so thank you to everyone who helped give so many horses the fresh start they deserve! Our monthly unaffiliated dressage and clear round jumping will continue to take place on the first and second Saturday of each month throughout 2016 so please join us. On Saturday 26th March we ll be holding a Tack Sale from 11am to 2pm and at the time of going to press pitches were still available priced at 5 each. On Sunday 27th March we will be holding a Family Fun Indoor Dog Show entries are just 2 per dog per class and with rosettes to 6th place there s a great chance of bagging a lovely rosette for your best friend. During the Easter holidays there will be Wacky Wednesday with tractor trailer rides, pony grooming, face painting and craft activities on 30th March and 6th April. Come along to our Spring Showing Show on Sunday 17th April with a range of classes from in-hand to ridden, as well as some really fun classes for people of all ages and abilities. If you and your horse could benefit from some expert help with your jumping then our Clear Round Jumping with an instructor is for you. We promise a friendly, relaxed and fun environment with positive, expert tuition. Don t forget, you can hire our impressive indoor or outdoor schools, as well as our other event facilities. Contact Maxine Langley on to discuss your requirements has been a recordbreaking rehoming year for Hall Farm with 120 horses, just like Patsy here, finding wonderful new homes To see upcoming events and to find out more about visiting your nearest Rescue and Rehoming Centre please visit Hall Farm is the place to be for Easter holiday fun! 21

22 Supporters in ACTION Our supporters not only provide the kind donations that allow us to continue our work, they also inspire us! Here are some photos you have kindly shared with us Generous supporters Sophie and Jessica (pictured here with Dale) surprised the team at Penny Farm by donating some of their Christmas money. Thank you both so much for putting horse welfare first! 2 The Deeside Dog Show, held at Belwade Farm on 18th October, was organised by one of our valued rehomers, Mr Chris Parkinson, and raised 730. Thanks to Chris and everyone who supported the event (including the pampered pooches who wowed the judges). 3 Familiar face Sue Cross took part in the Norwich Half run in November notching up yet another remarkable fundraising achievement. To date Sue has raised over 4,100 in our name and we are all incredibly grateful. 4 Well done to Faye Green for raising to help Magpie and friends. 5 Nina Virciglio generously gave up her time in the busy run-up to Christmas to hold two tack sales raising 210. Many thanks Nina. 6 Jenny Leonard kindly held a tea party at Church House Farm Livery Yard in Woodham Mortimer, Essex which raised Thanks to Jenny and everyone who went along to indulge in such a delicious spread! 7 Thanks to the equine team at Langford Vets who raised for us and also donated a centrifuge to our Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre team We love to hear about your fundraising efforts, innovative ways you are spreading the word about our campaigns, or how you are getting on with your rehomed World Horse Welfare horse or pony. Send your fundraising news to francesplume@worldhorsewelfare.org and your horse updates to rehoming@worldhorsewelfare.org Please remember to send your photo in a large format, as many files are simply too small to feature here - thank you! 22

23 Fundraising News Pleasure Rides 2016 We are planning to hold more rides in 2016 across the country why not come along to your local event with your horse or pony? Our first ride will be held on Sunday 10th April in the private forest land at Cranwich near Thetford, Norfolk. There will be routes of 6 and 12 miles through some amazing forest and open heathland grazing. We are also planning a return to the beautiful Elveden Estate near Thetford in mid-october as well as a ride close to our Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset keep an eye on our website and in social media for dates. All our rides have first aid cover, toilets, ample parking and a photographer, so you can buy a keepsake of your fantastic day out. For more information and to register your interest please Fran at francesplume@worldhorsewelfare.org or to download a registration form please go to World Horse Welfare Norfolk Swing and his rehomer Briony love the friendly atmosphere of our Pleasure Rides Did you take up running as a New Year s Resolution? We have spaces left in two runs this year the British London 10K Run in July and the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon in October. Contact Fran on to find out more. Our Virgin Money London Marathon team is all registered and ready to compete on the 24th April the very best of luck to them and a big thank you for all their hard work and dedication. If you're disappointed not to be joining them book up now for 2017! We would like to thank everyone who has kindly sponsored a Tribute Gift at one our Rescue and Rehoming Centres. Each centre's wonderful volunteers have been busy planting bulbs and sowing wild flower seeds. In addition to snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells and wild flowers our centres also offer trees and benches for sponsorship. Why not look out for them next time you visit your nearest centre? If you would like to sponsor one of our popular tribute gifts please visit: or call Hunks and horses do it again! The 2015 Hunks and Horses calendar raised an amazing 15,737.68, which was split between World Horse Welfare and Cancer Research UK. Kim, her new husband 'Mr June' (also known as Aaron), and Kim's mum Karen - who also knits headbands to fundraise for us - presented this fantastic cheque to Trojan and his groom Amy. If you didn't receive your copy of Your Legacy with this issue of World Horse Welfare News then please call Dawn Witney on or dawnwitney@worldhorsewelfare.org 23

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