Rescue

It is a sad fact that every day in Britain, horses, ponies, donkeys and mules are neglected, mistreated or abandoned, creating the need for rescue. Bransby Horses is dedicated to rescuing those animals most in need, helping them put tragic or painful pasts behind them and providing them with the secure future they deserve.

We offer advice and support to owners so that we can help even more horses before rescue becomes necessary. Bransby Horses reaches some of the most neglected and vulnerable horses across the UK. Many new arrivals are suffering from starvation, neglect, injury or disease; some may also be very frightened of human contact due to previous bad experiences.

Rescuing an animal and bringing it into the security of the charity is just the beginning of what may be a long road to recovery.

Pictured above: Emerald became a treasured member of the Bransby Horses’ family after her arrival in January 2016 in an extremely poorly state. Emerald was visibly emaciated and was unable to stand unaided, requiring 24/7 monitoring and lifting every few hours until she had the strength to stand alone. After spending months being nursed back to health, Emerald joined her friends on the yard and began physiotherapy to improve the movement in her joints.

For the next three years she was treated for ongoing lameness and dental issues with pain relief until it became increasingly significant, alongside a growing difficulty to eat. After assessing Emerald’s quality of life, the decision was made to euthanase her. Emerald received three more years of life, full of love and care, following the harrowing ordeal she endured before her rescue, and we will always remember her.

Our Aim

We continue to provide an effective and efficient equine rescue service. To be able to remove horses from danger and
suffering and to act when needed to safeguard their welfare by providing them with a life worth living or ensure they do not suffer unnecessarily.

The Need

Rescuing equines for us means to remove them from danger or from suffering. Every year we work to positively
impact the lives of hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across England and Wales; offering support to the
public and equine owners.

Welfare Concerns & Support

We investigate and act on behalf of equines where welfare concerns
exist. We always make decisions that are in the best interests of the
equine and within the constraints of the law.

We work closely with local authorities, landowners, emergency
personnel, owners and other charities, to provide opportunities to
secure the equine’s future and ensure that no equine suffers
unnecessarily. Sadly, sometimes it is not possible to save equines
when their suffering is great, but they will always be treated with compassion to ensure they are looked after with dignity in their final moments.

We must operate within the law and therefore we don’t have the authority to remove an equine from their owner. As dictated by The Animal Welfare Act 2006, only a Police Constable, Local Authority Inspector or Council Animal Welfare Officer, on the advice of a vet, has the authority to seize an equine.

Seized equines can come into our care due to rulings under three sections of the Animal Welfare Act 2006: Section 4 (Unnecessary suffering), Section 9 (Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare) and Section 20 (Orders in relation to animals taken under section 18(5)