Blue
Cross survey uncovers consequences of “poor choices” in
horse ownership
A new survey by The Blue Cross animal welfare charity has found
that a third of horse owners had bought a horse which then proved
unsuitable for their needs. It also discovered that nearly half
of those who subsequently sold on a problem horse had not sought
any help in remedying the situation. 75 per cent of those who did
seek help found it either “very” or “quite successful”
in solving the problems.
Half
of the 1000 owners surveyed (496 in total) had either given up
or sold on horses at some point in the past. The biggest single
reason given was that they had simply outgrown the horse (37 per
cent) or needed something more advanced (10 per cent). However
7 per cent cited “behavioural issues”, while other reasons
included “Didn’t like him” (3 per cent) or “Too
difficult to ride” (6 per cent). Financial reasons accounted
for 6 per cent of the total. 31 per cent gave unspecified “other
reasons” as to why they had sold or given up their horse.
Kerstin
Alford, director of equine welfare at The Blue Cross said: “This
survey confirms what we are seeing at our equine centres - an
alarming number of people making poor choices when buying a horse,
and then making things worse by not facing up to the ensuing problems.
It is often only at this point that we are asked to help deal
with the consequences.
“The
Blue Cross can help people make the right choice when selecting
a horse or pony. We would much rather be advising horse owners
from the start about suitability and then remedying solvable problems,
than taking a horse from them that they can no longer cope with.”
Over the past decade the Blue Cross has noticed increasing numbers
of horses being admitted to its equine welfare centres on behavioural
grounds. During 1991 more than 50 per cent of horses were signed
over to the charity because of their owners financial or personal
problems. Ten years later almost all horses were admitted to the
charity because of behavioural problems which owners felt unable
to overcome without support. In a significant number of cases
these were the result of an owner to horse mismatch originating
from the original decision to buy.
In
response the charity has developed a range of practical educational
leaflets to help owners choose the right horse in the first instance.
These are designed so that subsequent difficulties and associated
behavioural problems can be avoided, in order to develop a lasting
relationship and long-term home for your horse.
To
contact The Blue Cross for advice or to order a comprehensive
free pack of 19 equine advisory leaflets please telephone 01993
822454, write to The Blue Cross, All About Pets, FREEPOST NAT
4336, Burford OX18 4BR or download them from the website at www.allaboutpets.org.uk
.
