News

As the moving story of War Horse hits cinemas this month, The Blue Cross reveals that many of Britain’s horses are facing a new battle for survival today. 

During World War 1 we helped more than 50,000 sick and injured horses through our animal hospitals behind the front lines.

Today we are still in high demand helping unwanted or neglected ponies and horses in the UK. Last year we took in 166 homeless horses, many of whom were given up by their owners for financial reasons. 

Vicki Alford, equine manager at our Burford rehoming centre said: “Horses are being given up or abandoned in huge numbers, especially since the recession, as the price of keeping them soars and people can no longer afford to keep them.

“We have seen some shocking cases of neglect in recent years, as well as people making the heartbreaking decision to give up their horse because they just cannot cope any more.

“Horses are intelligent and loyal animals who have faced many challenges over the years – from hard labour for transport to the terror of the battlefields. But today they are still under threat, so please help us find them safe and happy futures in loving homes.”

Can you give a deserving horse or pony a second chance in life? View our horses currently looking for new homes.

Read more about giving a horse a home.

View our online War Horse archive.