A Fine Horse in New Country

Why World Horse Welfare?

I first became aware of the international work of World Horse Welfare (formerly the International League for the Protection of Horses) through my farriers, Jim and Kevin Balfour from Tealing. Both of them have made training visits abroad - their descriptions of the conditions they found (and the photos) impressed me with the amazing work which is done by the international team.

What I particularly appreciate about the project is that they teach skills which, shared round the community, cannot help but improve the lot of the working horse abroad. So it becomes self-perpetuating - once you know a better way to do something (and the reasons for it), it becomes easier to do it properly... Jim has commented that the abuses seen are rarely the result of deliberate cruelty, more from ignorance. After all, the horses, ponies and donkeys are relied on to provide an income for owners and their families.

For more information about the work of World Horse Welfare, click here.