Health & Wellbeing Community & Social Justice 2024
World Horse Welfare

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024

World Horse Welfare rescues and rehomes around 300 horses annually across four UK centres, and works in 17 countries to support working equids and the communities that depend on them. In 2024, the charity achieved its founding aim — a ban on the live export of horses from Britain for slaughter — almost 100 years after its establishment. The charity saw a 15% increase in Field Officer visits and nearly 20% increase in support calls, reflecting growing equine welfare pressures driven by the cost-of-living crisis.

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📋About

Horse rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming in the UK; working equid welfare projects in Africa, Latin America and Asia; research grants and veterinary bursaries; public education and behaviour change programmes; advocacy with UK and EU governments on equine transport and welfare legislation

📊Key Metrics

Around 300 horses rescued and taken into care annually across four UK Rescue and Rehoming Centres Key Metric 1
15% increase in Field Officer visits and nearly 20% increase in support calls in 2024, reflecting rising equine welfare pressures Key Metric 2
Working equid projects active across 17 countries, with 2,950 equids treated in Lesotho and 638 in Nepal in 2024 Key Metric 3

✅Key Outcomes

  • Ban on live export of horses from Britain for slaughter achieved in 2024 — the founding aim of the charity, established nearly 100 years ago
  • International small grants scheme expanded to 10 grants in 2024 (up from 7), gathering data on working equid welfare to develop solutions and larger projects
  • Help for Horse Owners Support Service officially launched, receiving 150 enquiries in its first year; 45% increase in large welfare cases involving 10 or more horses

📍Geography

International

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