About Us
37 years ago, foals were being sold at markets for a couple of
pounds and exported to Spain or Greece for slaughter. Many died on
the way. The Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies started
when Sheila Richards, our founder, bought some of these foals. Any
which showed potential were reared but the majority, which were
thought unlikely to make anything useful, were put down. That may
seem harsh but it was a kinder fate than the alternative.
The MacGregors had helped Mrs Richards from the start and, in the
mid-80s, Jenny MacGregor took over as Chairman. As the practice of
exporting foals for slaughter dwindled, the Society's work
gradually changed. It now serves as an equine rehabilitation
centre, taking in sick, injured or abused animals, rehabilitating
them and finding them new homes where they can lead useful and safe
lives.
The Charity now owns more than 330 such horses and ponies and all
are visited regularly. Our field officers are all volunteers and we
have been assisted greatly over the years by Redwings who carry out
many of our annual home checks.
Thirty five years ago, when the MacGregors took over full
responsibility for its management, SWHP had an income from
donations of £808 and expenditure of £1,220. With cost inflation
and the remorseless increase in demand for the services provided by
SWHP, costs rose to more than £250,000 last year.
Jenny MacGregor, MBE, accepting a British Horse Society Welfare Award for Outstanding Dedication to Equine Welfare, on behalf of herself and her late husband, Alasdair. Presented to her by Martin Clunes
SWHP Today
SWHP is run from the MacGregors' farm at St Maughans, where the
buildings have been adapted to stable up to 35 horses and ponies in
easily managed conditions and 30 acres of grass provide grazing.
Working alongside Jenny MacGregor, there are 3 full time staff and
a number of paid helpers, while all fund raising tasks are
undertaken by volunteers.
Every week we receive ten to fifteen calls, either reporting
animals in poor condition or asking for help or advice. We follow
up every call, which often requires more than one visit.
We take three or four new horses or ponies into care every month.
In many cases these poor animals are in dreadful condition through
neglect or outright cruelty. Ignorance among some horse owners as
to their animals' needs can result in starvation and severe worm
infestation, whilst lack of attention to feet and teeth causes
untold suffering. In the worst cases, rehabilitation can take many
months and cost hundreds of pounds in veterinary attention, special
feed and treatment. For others, recovery can be spectacularly quick
once their problem has been diagnosed.
Mrs Tiggywinkle March 2010 Mrs Tiggywinkle August 2010
The increasing popularity of riding has led to many people buying
a horse or pony without first considering the costs involved in
keeping one.
SWHP receives several reports of horses in distress each week,
from caring members of the public, from the Police, or from owners
themselves who, for one reason or another are unable to continue
looking after a horse or pony.
SWHP is not a rest home for old horses. The animals we take in are
nursed back to health and then we find them a good home. Most can
return to an active life; others go into retirement as companions
to other horses but, wherever they are re-homed, all remain the
property of SWHP.
SWHP Management is highly cost effective and all money donated is
spent on the horses and ponies in our care. Mrs MacGregor MBE,
Chairman, does not take a salary from the charity. Supporters raise
funds in many different ways but, as costs rise, it is increasingly
difficult to make ends meet. The work is hard, and sometimes
disappointing. In the vast majority of cases though, helping a
desperate animal return to full health makes it all worth
while.
Our Strategy
The principles under which SWHP operates are that whatever the
circumstances, the animal's welfare is paramount. This strategy
obliged us to oppose, through the courts, demands that SWHP rescue
case Target should be returned to the owner who abused him. This
stand was ultimately rewarded with success.
However, we have never taken out a prosecution against anyone for
abusing an animal, first of all because it is beyond our financial
means and, secondly, because in many cases a prosecution brings
little or no relief to the animals concerned. More often than not
magistrates will impose a fine. More often than not, the owner will
have other animals. A fine, if in fact it is ever paid, will make
it more difficult for the owner to care for the other animals
properly.
We always try to act before the situation becomes desperate,
frequently providing emergency feed and advice. In the majority of
cases, although the people concerned may initially take offence,
with tact and a practical approach we have been able to avert the
need for animals to be taken into our care.
For this strategy to succeed we rely on receiving reports of
animals requiring help before their condition has deteriorated to
the stage where our specialist care is needed. If you are concerned
about the welfare of a particular horse or pony, please go to our
Report a
Welfare Case, where details are given of what you can do.
