We are delighted to announce the winners of the National Equine Welfare Council's Strategic Goal Recognition Awards 2026.
Presented at our Annual General Meeting on 17th September, the awards celebrate outstanding achievements by individuals, organisations and teams who are making a real difference to the lives of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK.
These awards are an important opportunity to recognise excellence, share good practice and showcase the collective impact of our sector. Every nomination demonstrated a commitment to putting equine welfare first and reflected the dedication and innovation taking place throughout our network and the wider sector.
This year, our non-executive directors judged the nominations against four key criteria:
The quality of nominations was exceptional, making judging a challenging task.
🏆 Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) Future Schools Welfare Project
A pioneering initiative that is helping embed welfare-centred practices within riding schools through education, collaboration and youth engagement.
🏆 Rachel Andrews, World Horse Welfare
Recognised for her exceptional commitment to partnership working and equine welfare across North Wales.
🏆 Jenna Goldby and Rachael Blackler, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary
Celebrated for leading the External Veterinary Project and strengthening welfare-focused collaboration with veterinary practices.
🏆 Anna Gregory, Nottingham Trent University
Honoured for almost 35 years of leadership, innovation and dedication to improving equine welfare in education.
🏆 Jen Wathan, Sophie Hill and Jackie Hickman, Brooke
Recognised for advancing international collaboration and knowledge sharing through compassionate handling and harnessing initiatives.
We would also like to congratulate everyone who was highly commended. The standard of nominations was exceptionally high, and each recognised individual, team and organisation demonstrated a strong commitment to improving equine welfare.
Training and Learning Team, led by Leah Brock, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary
Recognised for their effective management of an equine influenza case, including quarantine and biosecurity measures, clear public communication and their work to promote vaccination, disease prevention and responsible horse care.
BEF Qualification Development Group
British Dressage, British Showjumping, The Pony Club, Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and others.
Recognised for their collaborative work to redevelop equestrian coaching qualifications and embed equine welfare throughout the coaching journey.
Welfare Partnership Core Team
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare, RSPCA, Redwings, Blue Cross and The Donkey Sanctuary
Recognised for their exceptional collaboration during the 15-month rescue and rehabilitation of 70 Icelandic horses, bringing together expertise, resources and specialist facilities from across the sector.
Cathy Hyde, British Horse Society
Recognised for her work supporting welfare across the showing world through partnerships, welfare stewards, education and the promotion of responsible ownership.
Welfare and Rehoming Team, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary
Recognised for using real welfare cases, evidence and storytelling to raise awareness of issues affecting owners and equines, including the impact of cost-of-living pressures and limited grazing availability.
Ian Beamish, British Equine Veterinary Association
Recognised for his expertise and leadership in equine veterinary welfare, including work on the updated Equine Euthanasia Guidelines and Equine Fracture Stabilisation App.
Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and Equicentric Futures Project
Recognised for applying equitation science and practical welfare science within riding schools, helping to translate principles such as the Five Domains Model into education and practice.
From welfare science and veterinary collaboration to multi-agency partnerships and educational reform, the projects and individuals recognised this year demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations work together with equine welfare at the heart of their decisions.
As NEWC, we remain committed to our mission:
To protect the welfare of the horse, pony, donkey and their hybrids and ensure that everyone who has an interest or association with them makes their health and welfare the overriding factor in all decision-making.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, shared their achievements, and continues to support our vision that:
"Equines have improved welfare and a good life due to our members speaking with one voice."
Congratulations to all our winners and highly commended recipients, and thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.
The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) joined fellow equine welfare organisations at Farrier Focus in Warwickshire over the weekend, promoting the vital importance of good footcare and strengthening connections with professionals working across the equine sector.
Held annually at Stoneleigh Park, Farrier Focus is an important event in the farriery and blacksmithing calendar. Organised by the British Farrier and Blacksmith Association (BFBA), the two-day event followed the BFBA International Team Horseshoeing Championship and featured lectures from leading clinicians, trade stands, live demonstrations and opportunities to engage with organisations working across the sector.
The NEWC stand provided an opportunity for representatives from NEWC member organisations The Donkey Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare, Bransby Horses and Blue Cross to connect with farriers, veterinary professionals and other delegates, and to talk about the role of appropriate footcare in supporting equine welfare.
The event also provided an opportunity for NEWC members to share knowledge and experiences, and to hear directly from professionals about the challenges they encounter when supporting the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys and other equines.
Visitors to the NEWC stand were invited to take part in a quiz exploring some of the differences between horse and donkey feet. A Horseshoe Throw competition also took place across both days, with prizes of farrier knives kindly donated by Stromsholm Ltd, who provide hoof care solutions for equine owners and professionals.
Farrier Focus provided a valuable opportunity for NEWC and its members to connect directly with professionals working at the heart of equine footcare. Good footcare is fundamental to equine welfare, and events such as this provide an opportunity to share information, build relationships and better understand the experiences of those working with equines in different settings.
NEWC is grateful to the BFBA for the opportunity to attend, to the member organisations who helped to staff the NEWC stand and share their expertise, and to Stromsholm Ltd for generously donating the prizes for the Horseshoe Throw competition.
The event highlighted the important connections between farriery and equine welfare, and the value of bringing welfare organisations and professionals together to share knowledge and experience.
The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) is delighted to welcome Atticus Equine as a new Associate.
Founded by Dr Imogen Burrows MRCVS, Veterinary Services Director, the independent equine veterinary and dentistry practice is based in East Sussex and provides welfare-led care from its Uckfield base.
Imogen's clinical interests include promoting high standards of welfare and evidence-based practice in equine medicine through a welfare-first, cooperative care approach. Alongside her clinical work, she is actively involved in education and professional development within the veterinary profession and wider equine sector.
The practice provides a broad range of services, including emergency and urgent care, preventative healthcare, dentistry, lameness and diagnostic investigation, breeding support, pre-purchase examinations and end-of-life care.
Its approach places welfare at the centre of every decision, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, transparency and doing what is right for the individual horse. Its guiding principle is simple: every horse deserves an advocate.
This commitment to welfare-led, evidence-based equine care closely aligns with NEWC's aims and values. We are pleased to welcome Atticus Equine to our network and look forward to working with them to support and promote excellent equine welfare.
To find out more, visit: Atticus Equine
NEWC member, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), has launched a new Coping with Confinement Toolkit, supporting equine veterinary professionals in managing the behavioural and welfare challenges associated with periods of confinement.
Periods of confinement, including box rest, restricted grazing, treatment and rehabilitation, can present challenges for both equines and the people caring for them. BEVA’s new toolkit provides evidence-based guidance to help veterinary professionals develop individualised confinement plans that consider the equine’s clinical and behavioural needs, alongside the practical circumstances of their care.
The resource also recognises the importance of supporting owners and carers, with a dedicated Owner’s Guide providing practical information to help them manage periods of confinement and support their animal’s welfare.
Considering behavioural needs alongside physical recovery can be an important part of supporting equines through what can be a challenging period.
The Coping with Confinement Toolkit and Owner’s Guide are available on the BEVA website:
Coping with Confinement Toolkit: beva.org.uk/resources/coping-with-confinement/
Owner’s Guide: beva.org.uk/resources/coping-with-confinement/owners-guide/
NEWC is pleased to highlight this useful resource from BEVA and congratulates everyone involved in its development.
The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) is warning that the UK’s equine rescue, rehoming and sanctuary sector is under severe and growing pressure, with organisations reporting rising welfare demand, escalating costs, falling donations and limited space to take in equines in need.
The findings come from a UK-wide survey of rescue centres, rehoming organisations and sanctuaries undertaken by World Horse Welfare and Redwings Horse Sanctuary on behalf of NEWC. The survey found that all respondent organisations are now at or near capacity, with around 4,500 equines collectively in their care.
Carolyn Madgwick, Chair of NEWC, said: “This survey makes painfully clear that equine welfare organisations are doing everything they can to protect the equines in their care, but the system is under unsustainable strain. Rising costs, fewer rehoming opportunities and increasing calls for help means we are being asked to do more with less. Without coordinated action and greater support, more animals could be left without the safety net they urgently need.
“Financial pressures and climatic conditions have made ownership and care increasingly challenging, with prices for hay more than doubling in the past 5 years and rises in veterinary and energy costs. Wet winters have impacted pastures and grazing, while drought in summer has required owners and rescue centres to use hay stocks meant for winter. This all adds up to challenging conditions for everyone involved in keeping equines.”
The survey paints a stark picture of a sector facing a sustained bottleneck. More horses, ponies, donkeys and mules are coming into rescue centres, fewer are leaving through rehoming, and organisations are increasingly being forced to restrict intake, restructure or make difficult financial decisions to remain viable.
KEY FINDINGS:
Demand for welfare support is rising: 81% of respondents reported an increase in requests to hand over equines, 67% reported an increase in welfare concern calls, and over a third reported more equines being returned by adopters.
Rescue centres are running out of space: Half of respondent organisations are at or over capacity, while the remaining half are close to capacity. Together, respondents are caring for approximately 4,500 equines.
Costs are increasing sharply: More than 90% of respondents are concerned about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, while 84% reported rising equine management costs and 89% reported increased site maintenance costs.
Funding is becoming harder to secure: 63% of respondents have received fewer large donations this year, and 65% are finding it more difficult to secure major donors.
Organisations are protecting welfare standards: Despite the financial pressure, respondents were clear that they will not take measures that compromise equine welfare. Most said they would not reduce forage, switch to cheaper forage, or reduce bedding use.
Options are narrowing: Over a third of respondents have implemented stricter intake criteria, more than half have reduced intake numbers, over a third have been through restructuring, and two centres are facing planned or guaranteed closure.
Malcolm Morley, Director of UK at World Horse Welfare, said: “The findings point to serious consequences for horses and owners if current trends continue. Ongoing financial and operational pressures could further reduce capacity, while extreme weather patterns and an ongoing cost of living crisis for struggling owners may increase the number of horses becoming welfare cases.”
Since the survey closed in April 2026, many parts of the UK have experienced extended periods of high temperatures and drought, increasing concern about forage availability and cost.
NEWC will use the survey findings to engage with rescue and rehoming centres across the UK to explore what support they need most. The organisation also plans to raise awareness among equine owners of the wider pressures affecting the welfare sector, including breeding practices, responsible ownership and forward planning for forage availability.
Results of the survey will also be shared with governments and political representatives across the UK, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the sector and recommending action to help protect equines in need.
Read the survey reports
The findings are available in two formats:
Three NEWC member organisations are collaborating on a new training series designed to help people understand the realities of taking on a feral or semi-handled pony.
Led by the British Horse Society (BHS), the Feral Pony Education Series brings together the expertise of BHS, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and The HUGS Foundation, alongside Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, vets, farriers, behaviourists and BHS Accredited Professional Coaches.
The three events, taking place across Devon and Cornwall during September and October, aim to help people make informed decisions about taking on a pony from a semi-wild environment and support better welfare outcomes once ponies move into domestic homes.
Feral and semi-handled ponies can make rewarding companions, but their previous experiences and natural behaviours can present very different challenges from those associated with traditionally handled horses and ponies.
The series aims to help people understand those differences before taking on a pony, with a particular focus on behaviour, social needs, handling, facilities, feeding, healthcare and the practical realities of responsible ownership.
The first event, Understanding Feral Ponies – Dartmoor Walk and Talk, takes place on Thursday 10th September at Bellever Forest on Dartmoor.
Run by the BHS and Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, the guided walk will give participants the opportunity to observe ponies in their natural environment and learn more about herd dynamics, social structures, natural behaviour and communication, grazing and feeding patterns, seasonal changes and the role of ponies within the Dartmoor ecosystem.
The second event, Feral Pony Preparation Clinic, takes place on Monday 14th September at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary's Coombe Park Equestrian Centre near Totnes.
The full-day workshop will explore the transition from moorland to domestic life, covering areas including equine behaviour and body language, safe facilities and field set-up, initial handling, companionship, feeding, parasite control, hoof care and veterinary planning. The clinic will also consider common challenges and mistakes when taking on a feral or semi-handled pony.
The final event, Feral Pony Preparation Clinic with The HUGS Foundation, takes place on Sunday 4th October at Higher Whitley Farm near Bodmin.
The clinic will cover similar themes, using local examples and experience to help prospective and existing Cornish owners prepare for the challenges and responsibilities involved in caring for a feral or semi-handled pony.
The organisations involved emphasise that good intentions alone are not enough when taking on a pony from a semi-wild environment.
Understanding where a pony has come from, how it communicates and behaves, and what it needs to remain physically and mentally healthy is an important part of deciding whether an individual can provide an appropriate home.
The series therefore focuses not simply on encouraging people to take on ponies, but on helping prospective owners make realistic, informed decisions and prepare appropriately for the responsibilities involved.
The BHS says the aim is to understand the pony, prepare the owner and support the partnership for the future, with charities and equine professionals sharing their expertise to provide consistent, practical guidance.
For those who do decide to take on a feral or semi-handled pony, developing trust can be a gradual process requiring patience, appropriate facilities and an understanding of the pony's behaviour and needs.
The events are aimed at people considering buying, rescuing or retraining a feral or semi-handled pony, as well as those who already own one or simply want to learn more about their behaviour and welfare.
Thursday 10th September 2026
Bellever Forest, Dartmoor
5.30pm–8pm
Book via Dartmoor Walk and Talk booking page
Monday 14th September 2026
Coombe Park Equestrian Centre, near Totnes
10am–3.30pm
Book via Mare and Foal Sanctuary clinic booking page
Sunday 4th October 2026
Higher Whitley Farm, near Bodmin
2pm–4pm
Book via HUGS Foundation clinic booking page
The events are free to attend, with suggested donations welcomed.
NEWC is pleased to highlight this initiative involving three of its member organisations - The British Horse Society, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and The HUGS Foundation - working alongside Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust and a range of equine professionals.
Book and find out more:
10th September: Dartmoor Walk and Talk booking page
14th September: Mare and Foal Sanctuary clinic booking page
4th October: HUGS Foundation clinic booking page
With periods of hot weather becoming increasingly common, assessing heat risk and supporting horses to remain safe and comfortable is a key welfare consideration.
NEWC President Dr David Marlin, an equine physiologist with internationally recognised expertise in equine exercise physiology and thermoregulation, has shared guidance on the use of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Index when assessing heat risk for exercising horses.
The WBGT Index is a recognised method of assessing environmental heat stress risk. It has been used in equestrian sport since the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and takes into account several environmental factors that influence a horse’s ability to lose heat:
Unlike the Heat Index, which combines air temperature and humidity and was developed for human heat stress assessment, the WBGT Index provides a more appropriate measure of the thermal environment for exercising horses.
The WBGT Index is calculated using:
0.7 x Wet Bulb Temperature + 0.3 x Black Globe Temperature
The FEI guidelines provide the following recommendations:
🟩 Below 28°C
No changes required to competition format or timing. Standard precautions, including access to shade and cooling facilities, should be available.
🟨 28–30°C
Additional precautions may be required, including close monitoring of horses and access to effective cooling.
🟧 30–32°C
Further measures should be considered, such as modifying timings, reducing distances or enhancing cooling strategies.
🟥 32–33°C
Conditions become hazardous, requiring significant modifications and effective cooling measures.
☠️ Above 33°C
Conditions may be unsuitable for safe competition and suspension or major alterations should be considered.
Dr Marlin highlights two important considerations when using WBGT:
1. Measurements should reflect the actual conditions experienced by horses
WBGT should be measured in full sun rather than in shaded areas, where temperatures and radiant heat load may be lower.
2. Heat acclimatisation is important
The FEI guidance applies to heat-acclimatised horses. Horses that are trained in cooler conditions and then compete in high temperatures may not have developed the adaptations needed to cope with increased heat load, potentially increasing the risk of heat-related illness and earlier fatigue.
As climate patterns continue to change, understanding environmental conditions and using appropriate risk assessment tools are essential parts of responsible horse management.
For more information about WBGT and managing horses in hot weather, visit Ask Animal Web
Representatives from ten member organisations of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) recently came together for an online workshop exploring how charities can continue to support equines in need amid increasing welfare pressures.
The workshop was run by NEWC for its members and led by The Donkey Sanctuary, bringing together colleagues from across the sector to share expertise on the veterinary, behavioural and practical considerations that support informed welfare-led decision-making for equines in need.
The workshop provided an opportunity for teams from different organisations to connect, share experiences and learn from one another, reinforcing the value of collaboration in addressing the challenges currently facing the equine welfare sector.
The impact of the rising cost of living on equine keepers has been well documented, with 81% of respondents to NEWC's 2024 Cost of Living Survey expressing concern about increasing costs. Since then, financial pressures have continued, while poor crop yields and forage shortages have created further challenges for horse, pony, donkey and mule owners.
Speaking about the workshop, Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary and a Director of NEWC, said:
"Charities are not immune from these economic and environmental challenges, so whilst demand for help is rising, capacity in charity care is becoming increasingly limited. Many charities have needed to adapt to ensure the long-term future of the animals in their direct care and carefully manage new admissions.
"At The Donkey Sanctuary, we have a long history of rehoming and providing lifelong sanctuary care for donkeys and their hybrids. We are continually learning from these experiences and regularly review how we do things to support good welfare outcomes for donkeys in different contexts.
"It is always valuable to get together with NEWC partners to share insights and explore solutions to common issues. By working collaboratively, we can work more effectively and in turn support more equines."
The importance of sharing knowledge and experience was also reflected by Rosie Mogford, Head of Equine Care and Training at Bransby Horses, who recently visited The Donkey Sanctuary's headquarters in Sidmouth to learn more about its approach.
Rosie said:
"We work together a lot with other equine charities. We have worked with The Donkey Sanctuary for a number of years, and it's important to us to share ideas and learn from each other, to help donkeys in the UK.
"At Bransby Horses, we're being asked to help people more as life becomes more difficult, and the challenge for us is to help the people who ask for our help and the equids out there in welfare need.
"I've found it really impressive how The Donkey Sanctuary takes both veterinary and behavioural care very seriously and finds a balance. At Bransby Horses too, we think the holistic care of our equines and donkeys is important, and we like to keep a balance for the wellbeing of the animals in our care."
Hannah added:
"We understand it is a difficult time for equine owners and encourage them to seek advice and support at the earliest opportunity."
NEWC is grateful to The Donkey Sanctuary for leading this workshop and to all member organisations who contributed their expertise and experience. As pressures on equine owners and welfare charities continue, opportunities to collaborate, share learning and develop best practice remain an important part of NEWC's work in supporting high standards of equine welfare across the UK.
If you are an equine owner seeking advice or support, you can find details of NEWC member organisations on our Members page. Many members, including The Donkey Sanctuary, also provide specialist guidance and support through their own advice services.
NEWC member Redwings Horse Sanctuary has welcomed the launch of the UK Government’s public consultation on proposals to strengthen fireworks regulations.
Redwings, alongside other organisations including fellow NEWC member Blue Cross, the British Horse Society, the RSPCA and other members of the Fireworks Impact Coalition, has worked to raise awareness of the impact fireworks can have on horses, other animals and people.
The consultation provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to share their views on proposed changes, including measures relating to fireworks noise levels and the availability of certain high-risk products.
NEWC supports its members in sharing evidence, experience and expertise that contributes to improving equine welfare. We encourage our members, supporters and the wider equine community to consider responding to the consultation before it closes on 7th October 2026.
Today, the government has launched a 12-week public consultation on proposals to strengthen fireworks regulations. Redwings is urging people to use the opportunity to make their voice heard before 7th October 2026.
The proposals included as part of the consultation include reducing the maximum noise level of consumer fireworks, a step the charity has been campaigning for as part of their Keep Horses In Mind campaign, as it has the potential to reduce the devastating effects very loud fireworks can have on both animals and people.
Redwings was behind a petition, which closed in March with over 184,000 signatures, calling for the noise limit of fireworks available to the public to be reduced from 120 decibels to 90 decibels. Whilst acknowledging that this doesn’t eliminate the risk to horses entirely, the charity believes this is a practical measure that would significantly reduce the number of horses who become very distressed, injured, ill or even tragically lose their lives when fireworks are used nearby.
Redwings Campaigns Manager Helen Whitelegg said: “Having sadly experienced the loss of three much-loved rescued residents here at the Sanctuary due to loud fireworks, as well as hearing from countless horse owners who have lost dear family horses, or suffered injuries themselves due to fireworks frightening their horses, we know we are not alone in dealing with the tragic outcomes when fireworks are used inappropriately. Like many horse owners, pet owners and others, we feel a huge weight of anxiety and uncertainty every year, particularly when approaching traditional dates such as Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve.”
In Redwings’ survey of over 5,000 UK horse owners, more than two-thirds had direct experience of a horse in their care being impacted by fireworks and in 10% of those cases, a person had also been injured by a distressed horse. Over 95% of survey respondents wanted to see tighter regulation of fireworks. Data collected by the British Horse Society reveals that at least 28 horses have died in fireworks-related incidents in the last five years, with many more cases going unrecorded.
Somerset horse-owner Jayne has been in touch with Redwings since her mare, Lucy, broke her jaw after being spooked by a loud firework last November. Relieved to see progress that is being made that could help prevent similarly devastating incidents happening to others, Jayne said: “Lucy’s wound became infected, and she required round-the-clock care, special feed, vet visits, and wound treatments for more than four months.
“It was exhausting and I couldn’t really do anything other than care for her during all that time. The costs just kept going up and although it was all worth it to see Lucy pull through against the odds (though her jaw will never fully heal), I’m now terrified of what might happen if loud fireworks are let off again nearby in the future."
As a member of the Fireworks Impact Coalition, Redwings is one of 19 charities representing not just the devastating impact fireworks can have on domestic pets, but also farm and zoo animals as well as wildlife, plus the impact on military veterans, people living with PTSD, burn survivors and those who rely on assistance dogs. The charity stands alongside many organisations and individuals who have campaigned for a better balance between traditional celebrations and the protection of vulnerable people and animals.
The consultation also seeks views on proposals to review whether additional high-risk products should be banned from public sale.
Helen added: “When our petition was discussed by 58 MPs in parliamentary debate in January, we heard several MPs echo the thoughts of Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, when he said, ‘the time for talk is over and we need action now’. Petition debates have become an almost annual event, and we welcome the public consultation as a key step on the road to meaningful regulatory change that will help protect both animals and people.”
Anyone can take part in the consultation. An online form allows respondents to indicate whether they approve of the proposals being put forward by government and, crucially, give their reasons. A link to the consultation is available here, and more information about the consultation and guidance from Redwings to support anyone thinking of taking part is available here.
For more information about Redwings’ Keep Horses In Mind campaign, please click here.
The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) is inviting nominations for the NEWC Strategic Goal Recognition Awards 2026, celebrating the people, teams and partnerships making a positive difference for equine welfare.
These awards recognise achievements that support NEWC's Strategic Goals, demonstrate positive impact and showcase good practice across the equine welfare sector.
Whether recognising an innovative research project, an education initiative, collaborative partnership working, or a colleague who consistently goes above and beyond, we encourage our Members and Associates to celebrate the excellent work taking place across the NEWC network.
Nominations are open to staff, volunteers, teams and collaborative partnerships associated with current NEWC Members or Associates.
Self-nominations are not permitted, and multiple nominations are welcome.
Supporting information is encouraged where available, but achievements of all sizes are welcome. We encourage nominations that recognise both significant initiatives and the smaller contributions that make a meaningful difference to equine welfare.
📅 Nominations close at midnight on Sunday 2nd August 2026.
Recipients will be recognised at the NEWC Annual General Meeting in September and featured across NEWC communications.
👉 Submit your nomination here.
If you're unsure which category best fits your nomination, the NEWC Strategic Plan is available to help guide your selection.
We look forward to celebrating the outstanding work taking place across the NEWC community.
