I'm unable to care for my equine
We understand there may be various reasons why you can no longer care for your equine(s). As an equine welfare charity, we are here to support you and provide assistance during this challenging time.
I'm unable to care for my equine
We understand there may be various reasons why you can no longer care for your equine(s). As an equine welfare charity, we are here to support you and provide assistance during this challenging time.
I'm unable to care for my equine
We understand there may be various reasons why you can no longer care for your equine(s). As an equine welfare charity, we are here to support you and provide assistance during this challenging time.
What are my options?
Owning an equine is a full-time commitment, it involves caring for your horse, pony, donkey or mule every day. The Defra code of practice provides advice on caring for your equine and meeting its welfare needs. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 requires you to provide care in the following:
- A suitable environment to live in.
- A healthy diet, including fresh, clean water.
- Has appropriate company.
- Is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
When you first acquire your equine, it is a very exciting time, and your enthusiasm and passion for your new equine are at their highest. You plan to love and care for your equine to the very best of your ability, but unfortunately, circumstances can change, personal health, financial situations, or your time and commitment to your equine may not be the first priority anymore. As a responsible horse owner, what can you do?
We are all aware that horse ownership can be physically and financially demanding; your budget and workload can change dramatically if the health of your equine changes or as they get older. It is important to plan for the future and ensure that you can provide care for a good quality of life in retirement. Planning for a timely euthanasia is a key responsibility of horse ownership.
Below are various topics of advice, some will be more useful than others depending on your situation. If you have any further questions or require additional support, please contact The Welfare Team for non-judgmental advice on 01427 747 369 or email welfare@bransbyhorses.co.uk
Selling or loaning
Selling
Selling a loved equine can be stressful, especially if you have not gone through the process before. You may be worried about finding the right home for them, or wondering if they will get passed on again and have an unsettled life. All these thoughts and emotions can put people off selling, but you may not have the time, skills or financial capacity to keep the equines.
There are many questions to ask yourself before putting your equine up for sale/
- How are you going to go about selling the equine?
- Are you comfortable with the fact that it might not be their forever home?
- Do you need the money from the sale to support yourself?
- Is the equine safe to sell and will not potentially harm someone?
- Are you selling the equine as a ridden or companion?
- How old is the equine, and are you making the correct decision for its time of life?
- Are you confident in advertising the equine with the knowledge that people will want to come to try the equine? Or can you afford to send to a yard to prepare the equine for sale and take a step back from the process, this will involve livery, training and selling costs.
- Will the equine pass a vetting?
- Is this the right decision regarding the equine’s welfare?
Things to consider before loaning
Is this the correct decision if your equine has medical needs, as loaning may involve the equine moving yards and you handing over the control of their management and treatments.
Have you considered its age and quality of life? Older equines may require specialist care. Is this the best decision for your equine?
We would advise arranging several visits to your equine before completing the loan agreement. This will allow you to assess the loanee’s knowledge and skills. Discuss the costs and care of the equine, including routine care tasks like parasite control, farrier, dental, vaccinations, bedding, forage, feed, insurance, livery costs and veterinary care if needed. You will also be able to assess the ability and confidence of the loanee and how they interact with your equine, ensuring that they are the correct pairing, therefore providing a good quality of life with the right human and equine interaction.
If you are concerned about completely giving up the decisions for your equine, you could stipulate the type and amount of work to be done, where they will keep them and how long the loan will last.
Request references from the potential loanee; we would advise gaining these from previous owners of loaned equines or an equine that they have cared for. If it is their first time wanting to loan, you could ask for a reference from a riding school, instructor or coach, or employer if they are in the equine industry.
We advise that you visit the new potential loan home if they are wanting to move the equine to a new yard. Even if you are happy and comfortable with the loanee when they visit the equine, this is an important part of the agreement, that you are satisfied with the environment in which the equine will be living and how they will be caring for them. We would advise using the Defra Code of Practice as guidance for the environment. If it is a livery yard, we advise checking to see if it is an approved yard with the BHS.
When you are confident that you have the correct partnership and have both signed the agreement, make sure to keep a copy, keep in contact, and make regular visits to check their health and welfare.
Please see below a link to a template for a loaning agreement from the BHS. We advise that this is checked by a qualified legal advisor.
BHS Loaning Agreement Template
Remember, if you loan out an equine, you will need to update the new owner/carer details in the passport with the Passport issuing organisation and microchip information, ensuring that the passport travels with the equine if going to a new yard.
Types of loan
Permanent loan
You will remain the owner of the equine, but the financial responsibility and care fall to the loanee; you will have very little involvement with the equine. We would advise that a contract/agreement is signed on both sides and kept safe, to ensure the equine is well cared for and their welfare needs are being met. This type of loan is an arrangement that sees the equine with the loanee indefinitely.
Full loan
Very similar to the above, but this is not a permanent agreement. If necessary, the equine does move to a new yard for the loanee’s convenience.
Part loan
The equine is shared by the owner and the loanee, set days are normally arranged and a contribution to the equine’s upkeep is made. The equine would normally stay at the owner’s yard.
Sharing an equine
Sharing an equine is becoming more popular now. It can allow you more time and help caring for your equine, and sometimes a financial contribution, while still owning the equine.
Some people just ask for help in return for rides. For example, mucking out, poo picking fields, etc, for a ride.
This sharing option requires trust and confidence in each other to ensure the correct care of the equine. We would advise a trial period to confirm that the sharing works before committing to a long period of time.
Loaning to a college or university
If you have an equine that has retired from competition work or you do not have the time for, but it is still comfortable to be worked at a lower level, is safe and enjoys human interaction, you could consider loaning to a learning establishment. They look for straightforward, sensible, schooled horses for the equine students to ride, lunge and practice their stable management skills on. Normally, they loan them during term times, and then they are available to return home during the holidays. If this is not an option for you, you could consider paying livery at those times. Some yards will offer working livery, which allows you access to your horse at certain times and days.
Colleges will have varying types of contracts, we would advise you to contact them to discuss veterinary fees, shoeing, length and type of loan, etc.
Equine assisted services
Is your equine safe to handle and enjoys human interaction but is no longer able to be ridden? Could you approach a therapy centre that is looking for equines to support human wellbeing? Centres are very often looking for safe, well-handled equines for people to work with when undertaking therapy.
Equine Assisted Services Partnership
Equine Assisted Services Partnership: Ensuring Quality & SafetyEquine Assisted Services Partnership CiC
This is the membership body for the sector, where you will also find the Human Equine Interaction Register. (HEIR)
Human Equine Interaction Register.
You can search for individuals and organisations that provide equine-assisted therapies that have met the minimum standards of the sector.
HETI Federation | Horses In Education and Therapy International
Riding for the Disabled Association
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) – Enriching lives through horses
Working livery
If you are finding yourself short of time, wanting to reduce financial costs, you could consider a working livery at a riding school. The contract will state how many hours your horse will be used for and when it will be available for you. Also, what care tasks will be included, for example, mucking out, feeding, rugging, etc. In return for them using your horse in lessons, this will be a reduced livery fee. The horse would need be suitable for the riding school’s needs. We would advise contacting different places and discussing the options to see what works best for you.
Lack of knowledge or skills
Do you require support in gaining knowledge and skills in caring for your equine? It may be that you have found yourself caring for an equine due to a family bereavement, or the main carer is now unable to complete the daily routine tasks.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you recently acquired an equine through the passing of a friend or family member?
- Do you feel that you should keep the equine to honour the person’s wishes?
- Are you worried about the responsibility of caring for the equine?
- Do you worry that you do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to care for the equine?
- Are you a new horse owner and require more experience?
If any of the answers are yes to the above questions, you may require some guidance and advice to support your decision on whether you are going to keep the equine or not. Bransby Horses’ website has a range of advice pages, covering many different topics for you to read; they often have links to other sources of information too. We offer talks regularly throughout the year, covering current welfare topics, for example, equine behaviour and caring for the aged equine.
The Defra Code of Practice provides you with guidance created from The Animal Welfare Act 2006, it outlines how equines should be cared for, meeting their basic welfare needs. The British Horse Society offer many educational pages, courses and qualifications to enhance your equine knowledge.
British Horse Society: Equestrian Charity & Membership | The British Horse Society
If you require more practical experience, we advise that you contact local approved riding schools or livery yards, where they may run courses for new horse owners. You will be able to learn practical skills and develop your knowledge under the supervision and guidance of experienced staff.
If you would like someone to talk to and discuss the options, ask for advice. Our welfare line is available, 01427 787369. Our field officers will talk you through the various pathways to support your decisions, and can signpost you to approved riding schools and the advice pages for more information.
Lack of equine training or unwanted behaviour
Have you found yourself unable to care for your equine due to its behaviour or handling? This may be a reason why you are looking to rehome your equine. Are you in a position where a farrier will not attend to trim feet or the vet will only complete treatments if the equine is sedated? These situations can become a financial burden and lead to welfare concerns due to overgrown feet, worm burdens, poor dentition or ill health.
Below are some of the behaviours that you may need support with.
- Is your equine difficult to complete everyday tasks like picking out feet, holding up legs?
- Are you struggling to get a farrier to attend?
- Do you have difficulty with catching and leading?
- Are you unable to move your equine from the field to the yard, as they don’t want to leave others?
- Can you administer a wormer when necessary?
- Can you administer basic first aid when required?
- Is your equine food aggressive at feed times, making it unsafe to be near?
- Does your equine allow the vet to administer annual vaccinations safely?
- Can the dentist complete routine dental checks and complete treatment when required?
Handling your equine regularly and training them for routine care tasks is necessary to keep both humans and horses safe, ensuring the equine is in good health and their needs are being met. Spending time with your equine and building a bond and trust, gaining confidence for them to accept the treatments, is vital for health and wellbeing.
Understanding how horses learn and behave is an important part of responsible horse ownership. if you feel that you would benefit from some advice and guidance, please contact equine professionals, for example, coaches, trainers, equine behaviourists and equine charities who can potentially support you in this journey of handling and training.
Useful links below:
Find a coach | The British Horse Society
Equine Behaviour – Bransby Horses
If your horse’s behaviour is linked to pain, we would advise contacting your vet. They may recommend contacting a physiotherapist or chiropractor if pain is causing them to be unbalanced and unable to lift and hold their legs up for a period of time, for example, for the farrier.
Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners | RAMP
The National Equine Welfare Council
This is an umbrella organisation that supports NEWC members to achieve a better life for all equines.
National Equine Welfare Council
Here you can find over 80 members throughout the UK, including equine welfare charities of all sizes. If you have contacted the charity that is closest to you to ask if they will support you with taking in your equine, and they are unable to help you, the NEWC website will provide you with other charities that you could contact.
Securing a safe future for your equine
Individuals may find themselves unsure of what to do with their equines when they are unable to care for them any longer, or upon their passing. Please contact the welfare team on 01427 747 369 or email welfare@bransbyhorses.co.uk for more information on our legacy and welfare scheme.
Equine welfare charities
Other equine charities can offer different options, for example, the direct home-to-home schemes from the Blue Cross. Some thought is required before deciding to sign over your equine to a charity, especially if they have been with you for a long time in the same field. When arriving at the charity, they will probably have to go through their biosecurity yard for health checks and this can be a very different environment from what your equine is used to. Some charities offer a rehoming service that allows your horse to go directly into a new home. This can reduce stress for both owners and horses and reduce the charity’s workload, freeing up spaces for welfare cases.
Our Home Direct service avoids the stress of kennels | Blue Cross
Equine charities for Thoroughbreds
There is currently an initiative to trace every thoroughbred from the racing industry. Below are charities that you could contact.
Retraining Of Racehorses
Do you own a thoroughbred that has retired from the racing industry? This charity’s mission is to safeguard the well-being of all former racehorses. They offer welfare and training, rehoming and competitions.
New Beginnings Charity
New Beginnings is a safe and secure environment where former racehorses can adjust and be re-trained and re-homed for their second career following racing.
Vulnerable equine scheme
The vulnerable horse programme contains a dedicated and expert team that cares daily for a wonderful 4-legged family of boys and girls, supported by West Ridge Equine veterinary practice, and offering a 24/7 emergency hotline for any Thoroughbred owner. Their charitable activities, along with support from the Racing Industry, fund these vulnerable horses through rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming, including regular checks to ensure their future is safeguarded for life. BTRC never sells their horses but instead offers them on a forever loan.
Quality of life and mental state assessments
Quality of life assessments
Assessing quality of life and making difficult but necessary decisions can be very upsetting. If you have a cherished, aged equine and you do not want to loan, sell or dread the thought of the horse being passed on from one owner to another, sometimes you may need to assess its quality of life and decide on the best future for the horse. This may be the decision of whether to euthanise your equine.
If they are on medication for any long-term illness or lameness, would a move and a new way of being managed be the right thing for them? Equine charities and vets will be happy to talk through these difficult decisions with you.
Friends at the End | The British Horse Society
When you have owned your equine for many years and you have grown older together, it can be a challenging time when you have to make heartfelt decisions. The care they require as they get older becomes more complex. This might involve changing their diet to more frequent, sloppy feeds due to deteriorating teeth, or adjusting their exercise plan to prevent stiffened joints.
They may have a medical condition like Pituitary Pars intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) that requires careful management and regular medication.
If we can assess their quality of life, it will help us understand how they are feeling both physically and mentally. When we see our equines every day, we don’t always see things progressing, so we would recommend assessing their health and happiness every two weeks to see if anything has changed.
The answers to the questions below may help you when making difficult decisions regarding end-of-life care.
You may not have the same strength and mobility as you did when you first started caring for your equines, and this is now proving difficult for you to manage.
- Is your horse keeping weight on, or progressively losing weight?
- Can they still roll with ease, get up and down easily?
- Are they as mobile as they used to be, have they become reluctant to walk due to initial stiffness, or are they not lying down? You may see from their bedding that they are not resting like they should be.
- Can they stand comfortably on all four feet, or do they move from one leg to the other, shifting weight?
- Do they eat and drink normal amounts, or is forage being left?
- How do they behave when being groomed, tacked up or ridden? Has anything changed?
- Are they showing any signs of aggression or depression?
Here is a template for the quality of life form for you to use. QOL Standard Form.docx
If you have noticed any changes, please contact your vet to discuss your concerns and future care.
Mental state assessments
We all want our horses to be happy and have a positive mental state, which is the fifth domain of The 5 Domains of Animal Welfare. We can observe their behaviour when completing our daily care tasks with them, what has changed from their normal behaviour?
Positive
- Greets you in the same way as normal.
- Eating and grazing for most of the day.
- Happy to interact with other horses and humans.
- Reacts normally to mutual grooming from others or humans.
- They can express themselves as they would normally do.
- They are attentive to their surroundings and the environment around them.
- They have a relaxed facial expression, no matter what they are doing in their normal day.
Negatives
- Have they become withdrawn, depressed, and stand with a lowered head at the back of the stable?
- They are not interested in food.
- Unwanted behaviours are occurring, for example: stereotypes, weaving, crib biting, wind sucking, box walking.
- They are isolating themselves from other horses, not wanting to interact with humans.
- Showing signs of unhappiness by being grumpy when completing daily tasks.
- Showing signs of pain or tension during a normal day.
British Horse Society quality of life indicator.
Equine health can deteriorate quite quickly with age. It is important to plan and understand the cost, time and complexity of care to manage any potential new health issues. Aged equines should not experience pain or suffering due to old age; help and advice are available.