TLC more important than expensive horse tack for retired horses needing a home

An urgent appeal is being made by a horse charity looking to re-home retired horses whose "desperate" owners are struggling in the credit crunch.

While most are no longer suitable for being ridden, they will make loveable companions to other horses, and owners don't have to pay out for expensive new horse tack.

The Horse Trust, which is based in Speen, Buckinghamshire has been "inundated" with requests from people to re-home horses but due to the surge in unwanted horses and a drop in donations the trust has had to close its doors to new entrants, leaving many horses with an uncertain future.

Ann Suaznabar from Kemsing, near Sevenoaks, Kent, is one such owner desperate to find a new home for her old horse. She has had Cocky, a 27-year-old grey gelding for 10 years but says she may have to resort to euthanasia if she can't find a new home for him soon.

"He's getting old now and needs a stable home. My only alternative is to have him put to sleep, which I really don't want to do."

Welfare and Education Officer at the Horse Trust, Liane Crowther, said: "We desperately need more homes for horses like Cocky."

With the recession showing no signs of a quick recovery, many owners are struggling to pay the cost of keeping a horse. Sadly this not only is leading to a rise in horses given over to Horse sanctuaries such as the Horse Trust, but also to a rise in abandoned and neglected horses as well.

Many of the horses simply need a happy home where they can spend the rest of their days. To these horses, regular TLC is far more important than fitting them with expensive horse tack and fancy saddlery.

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