Horse Wellbeing

Horse Wellbeing at Heart

All the horses and ponies involved in our therapeutic equine-assisted programmes are rescued by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary. Their welfare and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.

“During every session, our horses are supported just as much as our people who take part. We prioritise working with our equines at liberty whenever possible—this means they are free to choose whether to take part or not. Their autonomy and comfort are central to our approach.”

Sally Burton, Head of Equine Expertise

We take the following steps to ensure the highest standards of care and welfare for every horse and pony involved in our programmes:

All equines are cared for under our Ethical Handling and Training Policy, rooted in the latest equine behavioural science.
Each equine has an individual care and training plan, including regular veterinary reviews and behavioural assessments.
An Equine Support is present during every session to advocate for the horse and ensure their needs are met. We closely monitor each horse for signs they may need a break or wish to stop taking part.
Equines always have the freedom to choose whether to take part or step away from sessions.
No equine participates for more than one hour per day in sessions, with the remainder of their time spent in turnout with their herd.