HorseWorld Trust

24/06/2024

One of our amazing Discovery students Charlie nominated our brilliant Discovery Facilitator Kayleigh for a SEND Superstars award.

The award organised by Bristol Autism Support recognises education professionals who have made a huge difference to a young persons life.

Charlie said: "I nominated Kayleigh because she is one of the kindest and funniest people I know.

"She helps me to feel confident, independent and believes in me."

Congratulations on your award Kayleigh🎖️

If you want to learn more about our Discovery programme, please click the link here👉 https://bit.ly/4azCfq3

22/06/2024

Do you know what Ragwort looks like?🌿

As it is we would like to raise awareness of this very poisonous plant, that is sometimes lethal to horses and livestock.

Ragwort is a tall w**d with distinctive bushy yellow flowers and rosette leaves which commonly grows on wastelands, road verges and pastures.

It is a highly poisonous plant causing a threat to horses and livestock as it contains toxins that can seriously damage the liver over time.

Even the smallest amount can be fatal.

However due to its bitter taste, most horses won’t immediately choose to eat ragwort if it's growing among their grazing – but this isn’t a guarantee.

It is not uncommon for rescue horses to have problems with their liver function, especially if they have come from neglect.

This is because they are forced to eat poisonous plants like Ragwort because they are so hungry and have nothing else to eat.

Our team do an excellent job in maintaining our pastures and know the signs to spot when it first seeds.

We would always advise pulling Ragwort up, especially when it may be at reach to animals - as it is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you are planning to do some w**ding, please make sure to wear gloves like our Head of Welfare Sarah Hollister here, as Ragwort can also be dangerous to us!

Comment down below so we can spread the word and help keep our ponies and livestock safe💙

21/06/2024

Just look at rescue horse Aura at the Royal Bath and West Show recently with her fosterer and fab little rider Coco😍

We couldn't be prouder watching these two shine!✨🤩

In 2020, Aura was part of what was described as “one of the biggest animal welfare operations ever in the UK."

Now she is living her best life enjoying Pony Club, fun rides and adventures with her new foster family.

Aura's fosterer, Elizabeth Hembrow said: "Aura and Coco have formed a beautiful bond and an everlasting friendship.

"Coco suffers from OCD and ADHD but the time spent with Aura helps her cope and face life’s challenges."

"Aura has stolen our hearts. She is simply perfect and we couldn’t love her any more.”

If you want to read the full story, please visit the link here➡️ https://bit.ly/45npQV2

21/06/2024

Come and say hello! We have a stall at Meadowbrook Primary School this afternoon for their Summer Fair! Come along, there is lots to see and do for the kids! We are here until 6pm🐴💙

WHAT'S ON: Summer Fair at Meadowbrook Primary School, Bradley Stoke, this Friday (21st June 2024), 3.15pm-6pm.

Find details of this and other similar upcoming events on the School Summer Fairs page of the Bradley Stoke Journal website: https://www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/whats-on/school-summer-fairs/

20/06/2024

Have you nominated HorseWorld yet?🐴

Your FREE nominations can help us win £1,000 to help our charity.

Don't forget the deadline for last nominations is tomorrow!

https://bit.ly/3VlIqbA

We could receive £1,000 in the Movement for Good draw.

20/06/2024

Wow! 200 years! We're so proud to have played a part in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming many horses, ponies, donkeys (and the occasional mule) alongside our friends and colleagues at the RSPCA (England & Wales) Wishing you the happiest of happy birthdays!🎂🎉

19/06/2024

"If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours... Oh go on then!😛"

Did you know that mutual grooming behaviours are an important activity for horses because they help create social bonds in a herd?🐴

A horse will release a "feel good" hormone called oxytocin when they undergo mutual grooming sessions.

It is believed that horses also have preferred grooming partners which they will allow into their personal space.

Just like Prince and Fletcher are demonstrating, horses will stand parallel to one another so that they can gently nibble the back and withers of the other horse.

Grooming is not just a physical necessity for horses; it also serves as a form of self-soothing and stress relief.

When a horse is anxious or stressed, it may engage in grooming itself or others to alleviate tension.

Have you ever spotted your horses mutually grooming? Show us a picture in the comments below!

18/06/2024

Last week we waved goodbye to two HorseWorld residents Demi and Tom Jones who have found themselves a new forever home together.

Demi has been with us for quite some time on our Discovery course helping young students achieve their potential while Tom Jones was rescued from a large hoarding case back in 2022.

Their new loaner was initially interested in rehoming Demi but as she didn't have any horses of her own, we needed to find Demi an equine companion as this is a welfare requirement.

In this case, the very lovely loaner was open to rehoming TWO ponies from us so that Demi would have a friend with her at all times!😍

Demi is *very* picky with her equine friends so we had to trial her with various ponies on site that were available for rehoming and Mr Tom Jones seemed to be the perfect fit!

As they are similar ages, have similar diets and are the same native types (Tom being a Welsh A and Demi being a New Forest x) their management would be very similar.

Demi also gives Tom confidence, especially around people because of her experience working in equine-assisted learning.

After they had spent a few weeks living together at HorseWorld and getting to know one another, they were ready to go to their forever home🏡

We are incredibly grateful for our rehomers, especially the very kind people who take on two rescue horses, because without them we wouldn't be able to do what we do💙

We hope you will join us in wishing Demi and Tom all the very best in their new loving home together!😍

And if you're interested in rehoming please visit: https://bit.ly/3Rmdx5Z

17/06/2024

Thank you to Your Horse Magazine for covering Aura's amazing rescue story! It is so lovely to see the bond that Aura and Coco have developed between them and we couldn't be happier for them both🐴💙

Read her story here⬇️

She was found with a group of 130 neglected and suffering horses living in "appalling" conditions, but now is a picture of health

17/06/2024

💸Will you help us win £1000 by nominating us for free?
⬇️Just click the link below and scroll down the page to where it says 'Nominate a charity for the £1,000 donation draws.'
👍You'll see 'HorseWorld Trust' already in the 'Charity Name' box.
✏️Just add your details in the other boxes and click 'Submit.'
💙And that's it! We're in with a chance of winning - thanks to you!

https://bit.ly/3VlIqbA

16/06/2024

The boys herd are here to wish all the Dad's out there a very happy Fathers Day!

15/06/2024

It has been exciting to work with Avon Fire & Rescue Service again this year for their annual equine training at HorseWorld.

Many firefighters have little experience with horses so it is our duty to prepare them with the right knowledge and expertise to confidently carry out animal rescues safely and efficiently.

Our informative training days led by our Equine Welfare Advisor Meg Challinor include ebverything from trailer loading to tying quick release knots.

Check out all the things they got up to in their training in the video below!

(And of course we have to give a special thanks to Jasper and PeeWee for being excellent role models!😉)

14/06/2024

Did you know today is ?🛁

Gorgeous 'Barbie horse' Perry was first in to test out HorseWorld's spa facilities!🤣

Though horses don’t require frequent baths (unless for medical reasons), bath time is important to scrub off all that mud, dust and sweat that can build up in key areas, without stripping them of their natural oils.

We use oatmeal shampoo because the natural ingredients are soothing and moisturising on our horses skin.

Bath time also gives us a chance to practice handling some of our horses in training and build up their confidence trying new experiences.

Most of all, some of our horses really enjoy a good pamper from our grooms and the 1-to-1 time spent with someone.

Do you want to play a part in making over 100 horses, donkeys and mules look sparkling clean?✨

Why not choose something from our Amazon Wish List👉 https://amzn.to/4bMGdNm

(Please make sure to leave us a comment so we can say thank you!)

13/06/2024

Introducing Pip the little pony with heaps of potential who is looking for her forever home!🥹

Just look at what she has mastered already👇

✅ Catching and leading
✅ Leg handling
✅ Grooming
✅ Free schooling

Pip didn't have the best start to her life but she is proving everyone what an amazing little pony she can be which makes her evermore deserving of a loving and understanding home💙

If you want to learn more about Pip, please visit: https://bit.ly/4bOu9uw

12/06/2024

A thousand ‘thank you's’ from Apollo😍

[WARNING: This post contains some images of surgical procedures.]

We have some great news to share with you all!

Apollo has successfully had his sarcoid removed and, under the careful watch of our vet and welfare team, is recovering really well.

The response to our appeal for donations towards this essential procedure blew us away, and enabled us to act quickly and get the tumour removed before it caused Apollo any more discomfort.

As his sarcoid was growing bigger, and was in a position where it could have started impacting on the function of his ear, it was important we followed the veterinary advice and have it removed as soon as we could.

Using laser surgery (rather than cutting the tissue out with a scalpel) means the sarcoid is less likely to grow back or spread to other places on Apollo’s body.

The accuracy possible with laser surgery enabled our vet to work very carefully around the affected area, and the thin skin into which the sarcoid had taken root.

Plus as the laser cauterizes as it ‘cuts’, there was no bleeding and the wound is not left as open or raw as it otherwise would be.

The whole procedure only took around 30 minutes, and within an hour or so Apollo was back happily munching on his hay as if nothing has happened!

Thank you to B&W Equine Vets and thanks again to everyone that donated and shared their support to Apollo, who we hope will be feeling a lot better and ready to join the herd again in no time.

11/06/2024

Looking for a unique and thoughtful gift for your Dad this Fathers Day?🐴

It's not too late to order one of our sponsorship packs, just pick up from our reception desk at HorseWorld before this Friday!

For just £3 a month, your Dad will receive an adorable cuddly toy, a key-ring, photographs and information of his sponsored equine and invitations to our exclusive sponsors only events on site to meet his sponsored equine.

Not only this but you will be supporting rescued horses and donkeys that are given a second chance of life at HorseWorld.

Choose your sponsor horse or donkey here: https://www.horseworld.org.uk/sponsor/

10/06/2024

What do you think Artful Dodger is dreaming about?😴

(We have an idea...😉🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕)

Did you know it is perfectly normal and natural behaviour for horses to sleep lying down?

As long as they have a buddy keeping an eye out for danger, they can snooze until their hearts content.

A horse will only sleep like Artful Dodger here if they feel completely safe to do so.

It is great to walk around the farm and see so many rescued horses sleeping in the sunshine like this and knowing that they are happy.

If you would like to donate so that we can rescue more horses, ponies and donkeys, please follow the link below!

🔗 https://bit.ly/47xpCdg

09/06/2024

Did you know that this week was ?💙

We would like to take the time to thank our incredible team of volunteers who dedicate their time, passion and kindness to HorseWorld.

Without their hard work and generosity, we simply wouldn't be able to do what we do.

Volunteering for HorseWorld can look like many different things, whether that is baking delicious cakes, helping with bucket collections or assisting life-changing Discovery sessions, every volunteering role is vital for us.

Are you interested in volunteering for HorseWorld?🐴

Please email our Community Partnership Officer Leah Dunn Adams by emailing [email protected] 💙

09/06/2024

And that’s a wrap on ! To say ‘thank you’ to our amazing volunteers, & to welcome new folks into the HorseWorld family, we had a small-but-perfectly-formed picnic gathering.

We simply couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers so being able to give them a special VIP visit, a chance to stroke some pony noses, as well as the opportunity for us all to have a lovely chin-wag, was so special.

Thanks so much to everyone who came, & if you couldn’t make it please know you were very much missed. 💙🐴

08/06/2024

It was great to see some of our rehomers at HorseWorld this morning for our summer Rehomers Picnic and track talk.

We had an informative tour of our three specialist track systems that we have on site and spoke about the many benefits of each.

And, of course we got to see lots of adorable ponies on the way!😍

Without our rehomers we simply couldn't do what we do.

Not only do they give our rescued horses a second chance for the happy life they all deserve, they also allow us to be there for the horses and ponies who need us the most.

Quite simply, if it weren't for our rehomers we just wouldn't have the space to rescue any more!

(And if you weren't able to join us this time, we hope to be holding more events like this one in the future, so keep an eye on your inbox for more info....)

If you think you've got space in your heart and your herd for a rescued horse, read more about rehoming on our website here👉 https://bit.ly/3Rmdx5Z

08/06/2024

Introducing the wonderful Pip who is our rehoming pony of the month for June🎉

Pip is a 12.2hh small grey cob youngster with lots of potential.

She is a sweet and loving mare who loves attention but can be over-friendly, not yet understanding personal space, so she will require an experienced home and a confident handler that can work on teaching her respect of boundaries.

Pip has been slowly introduced to groundwork training and is at the very beginning of her education.

We think she would make a great project to bring on and with the right time and education, has the potential to be a great little ridden pony.

If you are interested in rehoming Pip, please click the link here: https://bit.ly/4bOu9uw

07/06/2024

Wow! You’re all amazing!😍

Huge thanks to everyone who has donated to our appeal for help in funding Apollo’s sarcoid removal treatment.

You have blown us away with your generosity and our original appeal total has been more than met.

Any extra raised will be used for the care and rehabilitation of the over 100 equines we are currently taking care of, here at HorseWorld.

If you would like to still donate, your generosity will make a huge difference to other horses in need.

Watch this space as we bring you updates on Apollo’s treatment and recovery.

Thank you all so much💙

🔗 https://gofund.me/cbc27c27

06/06/2024

Could you give HorseWorld a helping hand (or two)?💙

We’re looking for people with all kinds of skills, and from all kinds of background.

Whether you fancy baking cakes for us to sell at events, assisting at our annual Open Day, giving practical help in Discovery sessions, or spreading the word about our work in the local community, we need you!

We have a (very) limited number of places available at a special volunteers-only event we are holding this coming Sunday 9th June, here at HorseWorld.

Bring your own picnic (we’ll supply the hot beverages and biscuits!), and hear about the volunteering opportunities available, meet some of the HorseWorld team, and have a chat with some existing volunteers.

If you’re interested in coming along you must reserve your spot by contacting Community Partnership Officer Leah Dunn Adams by emailing leah(dot)dunnadams(at)horseworld(dot)org(dot)uk as soon as you can.

Even if you can’t come to the event on Sunday, but you’re interested in learning more, she’d love to hear from you.

05/06/2024

Have you ever wondered what happens on a routine home-visit check?🏡

All our rehomed horses, ponies and donkeys will receive a home visit by our Rehoming Coordinator Georgia to check that they're still happy, healthy and have suitable living arrangements in place.

The home checks are in place so that we can ensure that all our horses' welfare and emotional needs are being met as well as giving us the chance to speak with our rehomers about how they're getting on and give any advice or support if needed.

One important part of a home-visit routine is to track the equines body scores and get an accurate weigh tape measurement each time.

A body score includes a thorough examine of the horses back, shoulder and rear end to enable us to choose the correct body scoring between 0-5 so we can easily track the equines weight progress.

A 0 indicates that the equine is severely underweight whereas a 5 indicates the horse is obese and needs to lose weight urgently.

Weight management is one of the most difficult problems that rehomers face, especially during the summer months when the grass is rich.

Seasonal fluctuations in weight is common so we do try and schedule visits at different months during the year so we get an accurate representation of what the horses weight is generally.

A weigh tape reading will indicate if the horse is a healthy weight by measuring around the highest point of the withers and around the girth.

We like to include a weigh tape with every rehomers pack so that our rehomers can manage their equines weight efficiently themselves as well as giving advice regarding exercise and weight management.

Track systems and strip grazing are just a few suggestions that we give to rehomers for them to keep on top of their equines weight.

All in all, the home visits are generally in place just to have a catch up with our rehomers and make things easier for them while they start their special journey with a rescued equine from HorseWorld.

We are incredibly grateful for our brilliant community of rehomers because without them, we wouldn’t be able to keep saving more equines that need rescuing.

So we thank you💙

04/06/2024

Which Sponsorship equine is your Dad most like?🐴🙋‍♂️

Father's Day is fast approaching and we have the perfect gift for him... why not sponsor one of our HorseWorld rescues?!

But the question remains, which one should he sponsor? Well, we've broken down the personalities of some of our sponsor animals so you can see which one is most like your dad.

Is he athletic like Salisbury, or cute like Charlie? Or is he fun like Apollo or loyal like Barnaby?

You can sponsor one of our equines for just £3 a month and your Dad will receive a pack full of HorseWorld goodies and regular invites to come and meet them at HorseWorld.

Order before the 7th June for postal orders or before the 13th June for collection.

Click the link below to get yours today!💙

https://www.horseworld.org.uk/sponsor/

03/06/2024

Aren't these two just the most adorable and perfect pairing?!😍

We rescued Blackjack in 2019 with three other geldings from a small welfare charity that became overwhelmed.

He was believed to have originally come from Dartmoor so was nervous of humans and had very little experience of handling.

After having time to mature and enjoy his youth, we started groundwork with him before he went to his new home in 2021 with Emma and her daughter Grace.

Since then his confidence has grown and he has developed into a perfect child's ridden pony!

Just recently the pair have joined Pony Club and are looking forward to going out and about on new adventures together.

Blackjack's rehomer says: "He is truly living his best life- even if it involves wearing a lot of pink!

"He is the absolute best and they make the cutest pair!"

If you or someone you know is interested in rehoming a pony, please visit our website here: https://bit.ly/3Rmdx5Z

02/06/2024

Are you sprucing up the garden ready for summer this weekend?🌞

Why not generate FREE donations for us on everything you need with Give As You Live.

💸 It's free
📱 There's a handy app
🛍️ There are over 6,000 big-name stores!

Sign up today by clicking the link below!

🔗 https://bit.ly/3Kl8GgS

Thank you!

01/06/2024

Happy 23rd birthday to Lottie who came to HorseWorld in 2006 after her owners couldn't afford her livery costs for her anymore.

After spending some time out on loan, she is now a permanent resident of our HorseWorld herd.

Lottie is a very nervous horse and has specific living arrangements, so she would need a very specific home which is often difficult to find.

After much thought our Welfare team decided it would be safer for Lottie to spend the rest of her retirement years at HorseWorld surrounded by her equine friends that she knows and loves.

Around 10% of the equines at HorseWorld are Sanctuary horses who will live the rest of their lives with us due to their complex needs, particular living arrangements or ongoing medical treatment.

If you would like to send Lottie and the rest of her Sanctuary friends a gift, please click the following link: https://bit.ly/47xpCdg

Thank You💙

30/05/2024

Thank you to 9-year-old supporter Stevie for making Sponsorship pony Sox a birthday card for her birthday this month💙

Sox enjoyed her special day getting lots of love and fuss from our wonderful Discovery students.

Thank you for your support Stevie!😊