Leading international equine charity World Horse Welfare has launched the Great British Horse Survey 2010. The charity is asking everyone with an interest in horses to take part, making it the biggest survey of its kind ever undertaken.
With questions on a range of issues, including practical problems facing those looking after horses and general perceptions of welfare standards, the aim is to create the most complete picture of the equine community ever held in Britain.
Elite eventing star and trustee of World Horse Welfare, Pippa Funnell MBE, is lending her support to the survey. She is urging all those involved in the equine community, in any capacity, to go online and have their say at www.horsesurvey.co.uk
Pippa said:
“People often do not realise the scale of equine abuse which still exists in the UK. Britain certainly has a reputation as a nation of horse lovers, but with an increasing number of abuse cases, it seems we are in danger of tarnishing it. This survey is a great opportunity for those people who love and enjoy horses to offer their views about what they think are the most pressing issues facing the equine community.”
World Horse Welfare investigates nearly 2,000 welfare concerns annually, and last year its field officers carried out 10 per cent more visits than the year before. The charity aims to stamp out suffering by tackling the root causes of mistreatment and neglect. It does this by campaigning for improved treatment and tighter legislation, rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing horses in need, and educating owners on how to provide better care. It wants to see an end to cases like Amersham where 125 horses, ponies and donkeys were found in a state of severe neglect.
Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, said:
“Despite the 2006 Animal Welfare Act which makes owners accountable for the welfare of their animals, we are still dealing with an unacceptably high number of equine cruelty cases. This shows there is a lot still to be done to eliminate horse suffering in the UK.
“The Great British Horse Survey will enable us to gain an in-depth insight into the overall state and perceptions of horse welfare issues in the UK today, and complement the tireless work our field officers carry out on the ground every day. Ultimately it is about supporting our commitment to tackle the root causes of welfare abuse in the UK, and to achieve this we need to galvanise everyone who has an interest in horses to complete this important survey.”
Go online at www.horsesurvey.co.uk to fill out the survey before 30th November 2010 and be entered into a draw to win a place on the 2011 Canadian Wilderness Challenge Ride.
