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Bransby Horses - Rescue and Welfare

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Bransby Horses - Rescue and Welfare

Founded in 1968 by Mr Peter Hunt, we're one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities. Horse in need? Sally and Faith became firm friends.
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Report it on our website, call 01427 787369 or email [email protected] Always concerned about the welfare of horses, Mr Hunt rescued his first horse Sally in 1947. Sally, a 4-year-old mare, was being kept on a bombsite in South London. She was ‘broken in’ at 18 months and was used to pull logs from a spinney. Sally had been found tearing around a yard with a tyre round her neck after the

furniture van she was kept in had overturned in a storm. Mr Hunt rescued her by paying £14 and rented a stable for her for 2/6 a week. When Mr Hunt moved to Bransby to start the charity Sally came with him. One of the first horses rescued by the charity was a blind grey mare called Faith. Over half a decade later the charity Mr Hunt set up cares for nearly 1000 equines. There are over 300 equines at their two sites in Lincolnshire (Bransby, which is open to visitors, and Barlings) as well as over 550 equines in foster homes around the UK. The charity is completely reliant on public donations. The Visitor Centre at Bransby has grown over the years, and now has an award winning cafe, gift shop, donated goods and tack shop and tens of acres for the public to explore and meet the horses, ponies, donkeys and mules that reside there. Every day the teams at Bransby Horses rescue, rehabilitate and care for equines in need. They also educate owners on how to best care for equines, offering support and advice. The charity is one of the largest equine charities in the United Kingdom, and continues its expansion, with the support of the public, as demand for equine rescue and welfare increases.

24/08/2024

📋 Join Our Equine Identification and Registration Event at Bransby Horses! 🐴

Don't miss our upcoming Equine Identification and Registration event. You can find out how you can Make A Difference by gaining knowledge on what the process is for correctly gaining or updating a passport, microchip and registering your equine.

We will be joined by the British Horse Society Passporting Issuing organisation (PIO) staff. They will be sharing their knowledge on how to complete this process.

Here's what you'll learn:
✅ The importance of completing passports, microchipping and registering equines.
✅ How to complete all of the necessary requirements to be a responsible horse owner, with the support of our step-by-step guide.
✅ What the Central Equine Database is and how it benefits you as a horse owner.

📅 Date: Thursday 5th September
🕒 Time: 6.30pm – 9pm
📍 Location: Bransby Horses

This talk is free of charge however booking is essential as places are limited.
To reserve your space please call 01427 788 464, email [email protected] or visit our website via the link below 👇

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/news-events/make-a-difference-events/

23/08/2024

Matilda is taking it easy this weekend and enjoying some well-deserved relaxation! ☀️ Whether she’s grazing in the field or just lounging in the shade, Matilda knows how to chill out in style. Sometimes, a quiet weekend is just what you need to recharge. 🧡

Anyone else having a chilled one this weekend?

📷 Matilda

21/08/2024

🚨 Unusual Rescue Alert! 🚨

Earlier this year we teamed up with the RSPCA for a wild rescue in Lincoln—two emus were found abandoned and in need of help!

These feathered friends may not be our usual residents, but when the RSPCA asked for our assistance, we were more than happy to help safely catch and transport the animals away from harm.

We're happy to report they're now safe and sound, getting the care they need. A big shout-out to the for their incredible work, and to our team for stepping up in this unique rescue! 🙌💙

Read the full story (with photos) here: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/emus

20/08/2024

🐴❤️ Join Us for an Inspiring Welfare Talk: The Loughborough Group

Earlier this year, a group of horses had been affected by flooding in Loughborough and Bransby Horses played a huge role in assisting to safely gather the horses.

Come and learn about how Brooke, Marina, Lana and Bewick have recovered since the rescue and the amazing journey they have been on here at Bransby Horses (including how Lana and Bewick had some exciting news for us!).

🗓️ Date: Friday 23rd August
🕒 Time: 11am
📍 Location: Meet in the Visitor Centre Courtyard
*No need to book*

For all dates and times of further talks and tours, visit the link below.

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/talks-and-tours/

19/08/2024

Last year, we were humbled and honoured to be able to offer police horse, Pendleton a home following her well-earned retirement from the London Metropolitan Police due to lameness after 11 years of brave service.

Each year we allocate space for up to two retiring police horses that cannot be rehomed due to illness or injury, as these working horses bring many benefits to the charity. They are popular with visitors and can be useful around young and nervous horses, as they are well-trained and confident.

Penny started her career in 2012 when she was five years old. Standing at 16.2hh, she is a grey, Irish Draught mare with all the presence and bravery you would expect from a police horse.

Upon passing her initial training, Penny was assigned to Lewisham Police stables where she went on to attend her first football match at Charlton v Ipswich in November 2013.

PC Carly Harper said: “Penny proved to be very brave on the streets, excellent in open spaces and always keen to get out on patrol. As a young horse she was strong, energetic and bold and often wanted to go faster than required.”

Penny proved her versatility when she took part in an inter-unit competition as part of a troop drill team and jumped a clear round in the novice show-jumping.

This lovely grey mare served for many years policing football matches all around London, and her first ceremonial event in central London was a Korean state visit in 2013.

Other career highlights for this loyal girl include being selected for the Singapore State visit in 2014, being promoted to ‘Pointer’ (being the es**rt) for every ceremonial event between 2015 – 2019, including state visits, and the State Opening of Parliament.

PC Harper added: “She was dependable and gave many new officers their first experience of the mounted branch and when she returned to Imper Court in 2021, she es**rted young horses, taking their first steps out on to the roads. Penny will be sorely missed by the London Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch.”

16/08/2024

This summer, Bransby Horses has unveiled an exciting new adventure: The Devilish Dragons Trail. Perfect for families and children, this interactive experience is designed to provide fun and adventure ☀️🔍

The mischievous Devilish Dragons have kidnapped the unicorns and locked them away in a mysterious castle. It’s up to the brave adventurers to defeat the dragons, find the unicorns, and save the day! 🐲🦄

Participants will embark on a quest through the picturesque grounds of Bransby Horses, following clues and solving puzzles to outsmart the dragons. Each step of the trail brings you closer to the castle where the unicorns are being held ⚔️🏰

The trail is open throughout the summer holidays and will end on Sunday 1st September.

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/family-activities/

13/08/2024

Supporters will remember Phantom, a pony we rescued along with 160 abandoned horses from Bodmin Moor in 2016 and 2017.

All of the feral ponies were scared, hungry, in a poor state of health, untouched by human hands and in need of urgent medical treatment.

Beautiful Blossom, an 11.3hh bay pony, was amongst 10 mares who arrived from the rescue in 2017. She was barely two years old. Despite being understandably wary, Blossom’s kind nature was evident from the start.

After months of medical treatment and specialist training, made possible only by many kind donations, Blossom was ready to learn how to trust and enjoy human company.

Farm Manager, Stef Leversedge, who was involved in Blossom’s rehabilitation said: “Although she had very little experience of humans, Blossom’s willing, kind nature shone through from the very beginning.

“This helped with her acceptance of veterinary procedures and assessment for rehoming.”

When Blossom was ready, she was placed on the Perfect Partner rehoming scheme as a ‘Companion with Potential’, which meant she was initially a non-ridden companion pony but with the right training, could possibly become a ridden pony - and that’s exactly what happened.

Blossom is now helping to teach her new friend (Tracy’s granddaughter) how to ride.

Blossom’s Perfect Partner, Tracy said: “I am so delighted to have our Bransby Horses ponies. They have brought us so much joy but best of all, I believe Elvis and Blossom are happy, as much as a human can tell anyway.”

Our successful Perfect Partner rehoming scheme offers some of our equines the chance to enjoy life in a carefully selected foster home, whilst freeing up time and space at the charity for the rescue and rehabilitation of more animals in need of our help.

It’s thanks to our amazing fosterers and your financial support that we can continue helping more ponies like Blossom every single day.

If you think you could offer a companion pony a home, you can find your Perfect Partner by visiting https://www.BransbyHorses.co.uk/Perfect-Partner

12/08/2024

🐴✨ Meet Jack, the smiling mule! ✨🐴

Mondays aren't so bad when you've got a smile like Jack's to start the week! 😊🌟

09/08/2024

🐴💕 Even Donkeys Have to Learn to Share! 💕🐴

Mario and Luigi can't agree on who gets to play with their favourite welly! 😀 Even the best of friends have their moments. Let's hope they work it out soon—there's plenty of fun to go around! 🌟

08/08/2024

Since 1965, animal welfare organisations have referred to the ‘The Five Freedoms’ which have assisted us with assessing animal welfare. This was further strengthened in 2006 with the introduction of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which consisted of five needs:

1. Need for a suitable environment
2. Need for a suitable diet
3. Need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
4. Need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
5. Need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

These were created to help us ensure that an animal’s essential needs are met as defined in legislation, as well as helping us to understand the welfare standards we should all be providing and promoting.

However, in all the years which have passed, our knowledge and understanding of animal welfare has expanded and it has become vital to re-examine the way we look at and consider animal welfare so we can ensure animals live their best possible life.

The Five Freedoms and Five Domains frameworks contain essentially the same five elements. However, the Five Domains explore the mental state of an animal in more detail and acknowledges how, for every physical aspect that is affected, there may be an accompanying emotion or subjective experience which may also affect welfare. This is useful in terms of reinforcing the message that emotional needs are equally as important as the physical needs for animals.

The Five Domains are the most recent evolution of the Five Freedoms and provides us with a means to approach animal welfare in a more holistic manner, meaning we are not just meeting their most basic needs, but we are making decisions that can further promote their physical and mental wellbeing.

Learn more on our website 👉 https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/the-five-domains-of-animal-welfare/

06/08/2024

🚨 Save the date for our next welfare talk🚨

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about equine care and welfare from our expert team.

📅 Date: August 9th
🕒 Time: 11am
📍 Location: Bransby Horses Visitor Centre Courtyard

Don't miss out on valuable insights and the chance to ask questions! Let's work together to ensure our horses live happy and healthy lives. See you there! 🐎💚

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/talks-and-tours/

📸 Reggie

05/08/2024

Meet our Sponsorship Stars!

Today's Sponsorship Star Spotlight is on Womble 🌟

Womble and best friend Rodney do everything together, even attending dentist appointments - something Womble really dislikes, like most of us probably do!

Womble also struggles to lose weight, so receives special haircuts known as a clip to help him to lose some weight naturally.

If you fancy getting to know Womble better, come and visit him on-site or sponsor him from £3 a month 👉 https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/sponsor-a-horse/womble/

04/08/2024

🐴🌞 Sunday Brunch Fun! 🌞🐴

Barney and Oscar are having the best Sunday brunch ever! 😋

These two besties are indulging in a delicious treat on a lazy Sunday morning, enjoying some quality bonding time 🐴❤️🐴

📽️ Barney and Oscar

01/08/2024

Curious about how well you understand your horse's behaviour? 🧐

Equine behaviour is explained as the interactions with humans, animals, and their environment. But what is normal behaviour for an equine?

Take our brand new Equine Behaviour Quiz and find out! Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, this quiz is perfect for anyone passionate about horses. 🌟

Ready to test your knowledge? Click the link and take the quiz now! 🐎👇

https://forms.office.com/e/32F7uEkWdT

29/07/2024

Legacies are a lifeline to Bransby Horses, with 69% of our income coming from Wills. This is enough to fund the care of 3 in every 4 horses, ponies, donkeys or mules each year.

Whether we have been a memorable place to visit with family or something more, it is always very special to us to be remembered in this way.

John and Jackie made their decision to create a gift in their Will and through their first-hand experience of fostering a companion horse, they understand the value that their lasting legacy makes.

Jackie explained: “We have supported Bransby Horses for more than 30 years. When our horse Ben died at the age of 32, we decided to foster a companion pony from Bransby Horses for Charlie, our remaining horse.

“We had seen first-hand the care and dedication given to every equine that comes to the charity. We have also fostered Bransby Cadfael (aka Timmy) for six years and he has brought us so much pleasure.

“We decided to leave a legacy to Bransby Horses some years before. Having the privilege of sharing part of our lives with Timmy, it was even more important to us to be able to support other equines like him in the future.

“Every equine is given the very best chance of a secure and happy future, whether it be with a fosterer or at Bransby Horses itself. That is very important to us.”

If, like John and Jackie, you have left or are planning to create your legacy for Bransby Horses, we would love to hear from you and thank you in person – please contact us on 0147 788 464 or email [email protected]

To take advantage of our new free Will writing service visit https://www.bequeathed.org/bransby-horses to get started.

📸 Left to right: Charlie, John, Jackie, Corky (the dog) and Timmy

27/07/2024

There you are, Lagertha! 😀

25/07/2024

🎉 Congratulations to our Knitted Pudding Champion! 🎉

After an incredible competition with over 50 stunning entries, we are thrilled to announce the winner of our Knitted Pudding Competition! 🧶✨

Read our full announcement to see who the winner is.

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/pudding-competition-winner-announced/

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared your amazing talents with us 💕

All knitted/crocheted Pudding entries will be available in our on-site shop with all proceeds going directly to support our work, making meaningful differences to the lives of vulnerable horses who need our help.🐴

24/07/2024

🐴❤️ Join Us for an Inspiring Welfare Talk: Gerald's Journey ❤️🐴

We are excited to invite you to a special welfare talk about Gerald, a remarkable horse with a heartwarming story. 🌟 Gerald was found as a foal, collapsed and close to death.

Learn about the incredible efforts that went into his rescue and recovery and hear how the incredible support from staff and supporters have helped Gerald have another chance.

🗓️ Date: Friday 26th July
🕒 Time: 11am
📍 Location: Meet in the Visitor Centre Courtyard

Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired by Gerald's incredible journey!

For all dates and times of further talks and tours visit the link below.

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/talks-and-tours/

23/07/2024

Did you know you can make a donation through our Amazon Wish List?

Our Amazon Wish List has been carefully curated with items such as fly masks to keep their faces protected in the summer, and enrichment toys to help keep their mind active 🧠

Just choose a gift from our list of equine care items to suit your budget and know you’ve made a difference to our rescued residents 🎁🐴

Buy a gift today 👇

https://www.bransbyhorses.co.uk/amazon-wish-list

21/07/2024

🌞🐴 Summer Fun at Bransby Horses! 🐴🌞

Bransby Horses is open during the summer holidays from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Come and enjoy a perfect day out for the whole family! 🌳🎉

Bring the kids for fantastic activities, explore our engaging trails, let them have a blast in the play park, and sample some summer delights at our café. There's so much to do and see!

📅 Opening Hours: Wednesday - Sunday
🕙 Time: 10am - 4pm

Join us for a summer full of fun and unforgettable memories. We can’t wait to see you! 🌟

For full visitor information click the link below

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/visit-us/

📸 Bongo

19/07/2024

Introducing the newest and cutest additions to the Bransby Horses family – meet Pika, Eider, and Beverley! 🐴✨

These three adorable foals have already captured our hearts, and we know they'll capture yours too 💕

17/07/2024

We have partnered with Bequeathed who work with hundreds of UK charities like ours to make it even easier for you to make or update your Will – and it’s completely free.

Having an up-to-date Will is the best way to make sure the people and causes you care about are looked after when you’re gone.

To be able to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome all the horses, ponies, donkeys and mules that need our help, we rely entirely on donations from the public.

Legacies – also known as gifts in Wills – represent 69% of our yearly income and provide funding for three in four horses in our care; without these legacies, we would simply cease to exist and wouldn’t be here for the equines who need us.

Executive Director of Equine Welfare, Emma Carter said: “From our Field Officers investigating reports of neglect and abandonment, to our Rehoming Team placing our rehabilitated and healthy equines in their loving homes – legacies provide the essential funds for our daily activities.

“I’ll never forget their impact during the different crises we’ve faced over the last few years either. Without them, I’m not sure we’d be there for horses in need in the same capacity as we are today.”

The free Will service is available to anyone, regardless of whether they leave a gift for Bransby Horses.

A gift of this kind is an incredible way to celebrate your love for animals. Help us transform the lives of equines together with a legacy left to Bransby Horses in your free Will or Codicil.

If you have any questions, would like to request a legacy pack or would like to talk about making a free Will, please get in touch – we would be happy to talk you through everything.

To create your legacy, please contact Debbie or Mel in our Legacy Team on 01427 788 464 or [email protected] or visit https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/legacies

15/07/2024

Happy 1st Birthday Mervyn! 🎉

Mervyn was born at Bransby Horses two months after his mother Gwen was rescued from Wales, having been abandoned with Enid and three others in 2023.

Gwen was nervous and following Mervyn’s arrival, she was very protective as any new mother would be. Thanks to our supporters, Mervyn will never experience abandonment like his mother, and will be forever safe with Bransby Horses.

12/07/2024

Say hello to Shrek👋

🐴 Height: 11hh
🐴 Age: 15 years old
🐴 Driven Project

No, not the swamp dwelling green Ogre. Our very own Dartmoor pony who is looking for a home as a driving pony. Shrek is an experienced driving pony who is looking for his new family to love and enjoy his company.

He is a versatile boy who is happy going on pleasure rides and equally happy taking it up a gear and going to competitions. He has experienced driving trials and driven dressage competitions, taking everything in his stride.

He enjoys interaction from his handlers and loves nothing more than a good groom and pamper. Unlike the other Shrek.

Would you like to experience the joy of fostering a horse or know someone looking to give a loving home to a sweet equine like Shrek? 🏡

Follow the link in to learn more and to apply 👇

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/welfare/rehoming/horse/shrek-3/

10/07/2024

Want to join our next Make A Difference Event?

Join us to find out how you can ‘Make A Difference’ with your own grazing and
land. Our very own Estates Managers will be sharing information on sustaining and
preserving grassland.

Have you struggled over the last couple of years with the wet winters and dry
summers?

Are you aware of the grass types you have and what your horse requires?

What you will learn:
• An understanding of the importance of soil.
• Assessing your land and grass.
• An understanding of what you need.
• How you can improve your land.
• An awareness of different types of grasses, which ones are best for your requirements.
• What routine tasks to complete and when, and how to prepare for the different seasons ahead.

Join us on Wednesday 17th July, 11am at Bransby Horses.

This talk is free of charge however booking is essential as places are limited.

To reserve your space please call 01427 788 464, or visit https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/news-events/make-a-difference-events/

08/07/2024

Navigating the emergency and everyday veterinary needs here at Bransby Horses is a big responsibility.

In 2018 we made the bold move to create an in-house veterinary department with a laboratory to improve our care provision and reduce costs.

The lab was one of the first steps, followed by a qualified veterinary nurse, two part-time and one full-time equine vets.

Executive Director of Equine Welfare, Emma Carter, said: “Before this we had vets visit from outside the organisation, which was great, but having an in-house team means we can respond much more quickly to the needs of equines in our care.

“An onsite lab means we can get results within hours and respond immediately with treatment for what are often very sick horses, giving them a much better chance of survival.

“Many horses we are seeing now need long-term vet care for quite complex conditions, which we wouldn’t have been able to provide if we hadn’t made these changes."

A vet treating a privately owned equine may only see the animal once or twice a year but at Bransby Horses, our vets get to work with them on a daily basis. This means they can pick up on things that need immediate attention and horses that are difficult to handle or afraid of the vet can be given more time to adjust. Our vets will often spend time with them before any treatment is given, to make the experience less stressful.

Many horses we’re now seeing require long-term vet care for complex conditions, which we wouldn’t be able to provide without our current resources.

Without your generous support, we would not be able to continue providing essential veterinary treatment for the horses in our care.

To support our work with a regular gift, please call us on 01427 788 464 or visit https://secure.edirectdebit.co.uk/Bransby-Horses/Donate

05/07/2024

Meet our Sponsorship Stars!

Today's Sponsorship Star Spotlight is on Woody 🌟

Despite him being a very happy boy, Woody is prone to getting worried and nervous at times due to his experience before Bransby Horses.

We have accepted that this is unlikely to change at his age and so his handling training is focused on making necessary procedures as stress-free as possible, such as visits from the farrier, vet and dentist.

Show Woody some love and find out how he's getting on with regular updates by sponsoring Woody either on your next visit or online at https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/product/sponsor-woody/ from £3 a month.

04/07/2024

🌞 Savor the Flavors of Summer at Our Café! ☕🍔

Exciting news! Our new summer menu has arrived, and it's bursting with fresh, vibrant flavours you won't want to miss. Whether you're craving a light bite or a refreshing drink, we've got something special for you.

Stop by and enjoy a taste of summer. Don’t forget to bring your friends and family to share in the deliciousness. 😋

The Bransby Horses Cafe is open 10am-4pm. We serve hot food until 2.30pm and hot drinks and cake are served until 3.45pm.

Click the link for more information about our cafe 👇

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/visit-us/cafe/

📸 Cajun Chicken and Bacon Salad and Strawberry Milkshake

Address

Cowdale Lane, Bransby
Lincoln
LN12PH

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441427788464

Website

http://www.bransbyhorses.co.uk/

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Climate change is affecting our weather and as a result we're experiencing warmer temperatures for longer periods, which means caring for an equine during the summer may not be as straight forward as it used to be. Read our top tips here: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/what-we-do/equine-advice/summer-management/ And for further advice on any equine welfare topic, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Welfare Team by calling 01427 787369 or emailing [email protected]. 📽️ Oscar

Captain Morgan snoring away on a Sunday morning 😴 Just how a Sunday morning should be 😀 #snoozebutton #snoozetime #sundaymorningvibes #sundaymornings

Are you searching for a present for that person who has everything? Struggling to know what to buy them for their birthday? Our Gift Cards With A Difference range in price suitable for every budget and contribute to our rescue and welfare work. The lucky recipient will know that your donation in lieu of a gift has been spent on transforming equine welfare for the better, and if you combine it with a visit to us here on the outskirts of Lincoln, you're guaranteed to give them a truly unique experience they'll never forget. Grab a digital or physical Gift Card With A Difference on-site or online: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/gcwad

We greatly value your opinion and would love to hear your feedback on our social media platforms. We want to know what you enjoy about our platforms and how we can make them even better for you to provide you with the best experience possible. By sharing your thoughts, you can help shape the future of our social media platforms. https://forms.office.com/e/tnFkN8EXEz Thank you for your valuable support!

We just love this video of some our Thoroughbred boys enjoying a bit of play ❤️ Poor Edward just wanted to play with his welly boot enrichment, but Steele and Icon had other plans!

It's #DiscoverLincolnshireWeekend this weekend! Join in with the occasion and head over to pay our rescued horses, donkeys, and mules a visit 🐴 Located in the idyllic Lincolnshire countryside with friendly rescued residents ready to meet you, there is no better place to come and blow away the cobwebs and enjoy the fresh air 🐴 📍 Find us at LN1 2PH. Open 10am - 4pm

Happy World Book Day, everyone! 🌎📚 We nipped to our second-hand book corner to see what books we could find with characters with the same name as some of our horses... Why not drop by and browse through our well-stocked second-hand bookshelves? Each book sale goes towards helping our rescued equines, plus you might just find a new favourite! 🐎 Head over to our Instagram and Twitter account to see what other characters we found 🤩 #WorldBookDay

Like humans, equine's dietary needs changes throughout different stages of their life. For example, young horses need more protein than those that are fully grown and matured. This extra protein at a young age allows their body to grow strong and healthy. Your horse’s diet should always be tailored to its individual needs. This can vary depending on its life stage, health status, and the amount of exercise that it does. If you would like more information on the kind of diet your horse, pony, donkey, or mule should be eating, most feed companies have an equine nutrition specialist who will be able to help you with information specifically for your equine. Don't forget our Welfare Team are here to also offer non-judgmental advice to horse owners. Get in touch: ✉️ [email protected] 📞 01427 787 369

During the winter months grass is unable to grow due to low temperatures and you may find that you need to supplement your horse with a more forage-based diet. Hay can still cause weight gain if over-fed, so it is important to know how much forage your horse needs to maintain a healthy weight and condition; each individual will require different amounts depending on their health, weight, and how much exercise they are doing. You should regularly monitor your horse's weight, which you can do in several ways: 🐴 Using a weigh bridge (the most accurate way to find out your horses weight) 🐴 Body Condition Scoring 🐴 Weigh tapes Find out more information about this and other winter management advice on our website 👇 https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/what-we-do/equine-advice/equine-obesity-3/

Without you, we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do... We couldn’t reach the equines who find themselves in need of our help and rescue... We couldn’t help the hundreds of equines in our care, just like Oliver whose story we recently shared, and ensure a safe haven for them this Christmas and beyond. From the bottom of our hearts ( and theirs 🐴), thank you. We’ll be taking a short break over the festive period and our offices and welfare line will be closed until 27th December. If you have any concerns about a horse that are non-urgent, please email us at [email protected] and we will be in touch upon our return to the office. However, in case of emergency, you can contact the RSPCA Emergency Line on 0300 1234999. We hope you have a lovely Christmas and look forward to welcoming you again when we reopen in the New Year. 🎄❤️

Walklands Yard is home to some of our sanctuary care equines, as well as those that require a restricted grazing diet due to health conditions. A variety of equines live at this yard – including Sponsorship Star Woody, and retired Police Horse Steele! Although we aim to give every equine the chance to go to a one-to-one home through our Perfect Partner scheme, this isn’t always possible for some individuals due to the complexity of their health or behavioural needs. They will have a home for life with us here as sanctuary care equines, getting to enjoy herd life with field mates who have similar needs. The team on this yard are kept busy with the day-to-day care of our rescue residents, including regular visits from farriers, vets, equine dental specialists, and physiotherapists. Follow our account to learn more about our other specialist yards!

Christmas is fast approaching - if you are stuck for gift ideas for that animal lover in your life, why not consider one of our Gift Cards With A Difference? These gift cards allow us to continue caring for neglected and abandoned equines who find sanctuary with us here at Bransby Horses. Purchase yours today 👉 https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/gift-cards-with-a-difference/

Veterinary Role (Mat Cover)

Have you ever wondered what it is like to provide veterinary care to up to 400 rescued equines? We asked our vet team what their day-to-day role included as a vet here at Bransby Horses, watch our video to find out. We are currently looking for an Equine Veterinary Surgeon to join our team, helping ensure the health and well-being of up to 400 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. No two days are ever the same for our veterinary team. Are you up for a new challenge? For more information about the role, visit our website: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/job/equine-veterinary-surgeon-2/

Trustees Week

As #TrusteesWeek comes to a close, we wanted to share with you the incredible work that our Trustees do for our Charity 🥰 Volunteering their time and expertise, our Trustees offer guidance and support ensuring all decisions are made in the best interests of the Charity. We are currently looking for two individuals to join our current Board of six Trustees. If you are interested in a volunteer role and want to help make a difference to the lives of hundreds of equines every year, visit our website: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/job/trustee-volunteer-role/

Often some of our rescued equines have had little positive human interaction, meaning that sometimes they require a little more intense or specialist training in order to be handled safely; our Peter Hunt yard is home to these equines. Training plans are created and tailored to each individual and every step is determined by the equines pace. A variety of training methods are used to help equines overcome their anxieties, including hand and hook work to help desensitise equines to touch and clicker training as seen in the video. When an equine successfully completes their training on this yard, it will be decided which next yard will be most suitable for them to continue their rehabilitation. Follow us to learn more about our other specialist yards!

Storm Babet causes flooding of 257 acres

Following Storm Babet, over 400 acres of our land have been affected by the flooding which happened last weekend. 257 acres of that was valuable grazing land for our rescued equines. We have had to move our equines on to fields that would usually be resting, ready for use in the summer the following year. As you can see from the footage below, our fields are waterlogged and will almost certainly be unusable for months. With the drains not expected not to be opened until the end of next week, we cannot even begin to fully understand the impact it will have. A big thank you to Sam at Canon In The Country Photography who came on site yesterday to capture some drone footage which helps us to further assess the extent of the flooding.

Storm Babet Forces Bransby Horses to Temporarily Close Read more: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/storm-babet-closure/

We asked our Vets...

We asked our vet team if they could bust any common misconceptions about working as a vet in the equine charity sector. Could working in the charity sector be the next step in your veterinary career? We are currently looking for an Equine Veterinary Surgeon to join our team, helping ensure the health and wellbeing of up to 400 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. You would join a small, supportive team that help make a difference to the lives of hundreds of rescued equines every day. With a generous CPD budget and attractive working hours to supplement a great work-life balance (no weekends or out of hours), there are a lot of benefits to working as a vet at Bransby Horses. For more information about the role, visit our website: https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/equine-veterinary-surgeon/