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Every horse has happa's heart - A Lifeline for Equines in Crisis

Since 1937, Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) has stood as a steadfast guardian for some of the most vulnerable equines in our society. Founded on the belief that every horse and pony deserves dignity, safety, and compassion, HAPPA has grown into a leading voice for welfare, rehabilitation and responsible ownership across the UK.

Today, the need for our work has never been greater. The ongoing horse abandonment crisis, driven by rising costs, irresponsible breeding, and a lack of accessible welfare education, continues to place unprecedented pressure on rescue centres nationwide. Every week more horses and ponies find themselves neglected, abandoned, or left in environments where their basic needs cannot be met. For many, HAPPA is their only lifeline.

In response HAPPA remains unwavering in its mission: to rescue those at risk, to restore health and trust through expert rehabilitation, and to rehome horses and ponies where they can thrive. But our work extends far beyond rescue, it is about breaking the cycle through education, advocacy, and inspiring a culture of responsibility that prevents neglect long before it begins.

Our Work in Action

Among the many equines who have found refuge with HAPPA, Wotsit and Cheeto stand out as a powerful symbol of resilience.

Wotsit was found abandoned on common land with no one claiming ownership, a young pony left without food, shelter, companionship or basic care desperately needing help. Malnourished, worm-ridden and wary of human contact, she arrived at HAPPA’s Shores Hey Farm in Burnley, Lancashire, frightened, lost and unsure. What began as a rescue soon became a fight for survival.

With patient rehabilitation, expert veterinary support, and the daily dedication of our team, Wotsit slowly began to heal and her confidence and trust grew, finding security in kind hands instead of uncertainty. At just three years old she tested heavily in foal.

In the months leading to the foal’s arrival the team gave Wotsit the care and attention she needed, spending time with her every day, gently introducing new experiences and working through triggering situations such as farrier visits and veterinary appointments, to ensure when Wotsit needed them the most she trusted that their touch was a positive and safe experience.

Wotsit welcomed a beautiful filly foal in the early hours of Friday 9th May, however, during that very afternoon, celebration of new life quickly became a desperate fight to save a life.

The newborn foal, later named Cheeto, began suckling frantically then became lethargic and despondent. The observant team jumped into crisis mode; the vet was called immediately. A blood test found that Wotsit had not expressed enough milk after giving birth, therefore not providing her foal with the much-needed nutrients found in colostrum (nature’s first milk)

This was an emergency, if the little foal did not receive the nutrients needed in the next couple of hours, then things would deteriorate very quickly, possibly resulting in the foal’s death. The attending veterinarians managed to source colostrum from a very kind donor. This subsequently had to be fed to the foal through a tube directly into the stomach, to ensure, with every certainty, that the vital nutrients were absorbed into the little foal’s frail body and blood stream. Then the real work began!

Throughout the night the team worked relentlessly to give the chestnut filly foal the best chance of survival. A second blood test showed that quick thinking and veterinary intervention had saved the foal’s life, nutrients in the blood stream had improved, now only time would tell if little Cheeto would make a full recovery.

Over the weekend Wotsit was put on medication to bring on her milk and every two hours Cheeto was gently guided to encourage suckling, a bucket of horse formula milk was offered to Cheeto to top up the milk that Wotsit was unable to offer. The trust and respect the team had gained with this mare is what allowed this to happen, although protective of her newborn foal Wotsit knew that her little one was safe in the HAPPA team’s hands.

Cheeto went on to make a full recovery, the team had saved her life. This beautiful mare, found abandonment, dumped like rubbish, and offspring will now feel the warmth of kindness and protection for the rest of their lifetime. It’s hard to think that if Wotsit had not been taken to safety, little Cheeto would have faced certain death soon after entering the world. Their story is not only a testament to what dedicated welfare work can achieve, but also a sobering reminder of why HAPPA’s mission must continue with urgency and determination.

UK Horse Abandonment Crisis

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact communities nationwide, we have seen a shift in the type of support being requested by horse owners. While we still receive reports of cruelty and neglect, more owners and landowners who genuinely want to do the right thing are reaching out to us for help.

We are reaching breaking point in demand for our services. Increases and costs continue to soar, feed and bedding costs have risen by a staggering 34% percent in comparison to the previous year, and veterinary costs have seen an increase of 12%. The team continues to fight to source the best prices and supplier costs, however, increases in costs associated with the abandonment epidemic are putting immense strain on the Charity’s financial stability.

We are calling on everyone who cares about equine welfare to help raise £100,000. These funds are essential for HAPPA to continue responding to reports of horses, ponies and donkeys in distress this winter.

In the last six months alone, we have taken in twenty-four abandoned and unwanted equines. Sadly, the majority have arrived requiring immediate veterinary intervention, alongside significant rehabilitation costs. Combined with rises in wages, utilities and supplier prices, these pressures are placing an immense strain on our long-term financial stability.

Sadly, overall equine welfare costs are soaring, not including equine care team wage costs, £2,000 per week is desperately needed to maintain the exemplary standards of care offered to the forty-five equines that are currently under rehabilitation with the Charity.

Amanda Berry, our Head of Equine Operations, explains: “Times are hard for everyone right now, and we know it is a big ask to contribute considering the current financial climate. However, we must act to ensure we can keep the stable doors open at Shores Hey Farm. HAPPA has been saving equines since 1937; together we can ensure lives continue to be saved for many more years to come.

We see equines of all types, horses, donkeys, mules, being abandoned and discarded like rubbish left behind, not microchipped, rejected, alone, and without food, shelter or care. Your donation will help us intervene, give them safety, veterinary care, nourishment and a second chance at life. We are here to make sure no horse is forgotten, each one has our heart, but we cannot do it alone.”

Animal abandonment is happening now across the UK, and things are going to get worse. Horses are dumped on private land and properties, left scared and alone, suffering from ailments and illness, with no microchip as proof of ownership.

Equine charity Redwings documented a dramatic rise in abandonment reports almost a decade ago, and the numbers continue to climb. The multi-charity report ‘Britain’s Horse Problem’ highlights ongoing issues: overbreeding, weak enforcement, under-resourced owners and overwhelmed rescue centres. This isn’t just a spike; it’s a systemic issue.

How we are addressing the issue

A lack of understanding of what it really takes to care for a horse correctly, understanding the financial and care commitment a horse deserves, we believe, is a contributing factor to the horse abandonment crisis. That is why we are passionate about educating those that will listen about horse care and every element of horse ownership.

One part of horse ownership is knowing when to say goodbye, if you are privileged to have the companionship of a horse by your side, give them the respect and dignity to end their suffering when ailments and debilitating conditions render their quality of life unbearable. Walking away and leaving them is not the answer, find the strength to be their last face they see when they leave this world. Horses have been taken in by HAPPA recently that have debilitating ailments that deserved better, they deserved a final decision, not to be taken in by a rescue centre scared and alone.

If you experience the violation of having a horse abandoned on your land or property, the HAPPA welfare team can guide you through the implementation of the Control of Horses Act 2015. The act brought about lawful changes in favour of landowners and local authorities, allowing them to deal with abandonment, straying and fly-grazing of horses. Further information and an in-depth explanation of how you can implement the act can be found on our website.

Why we need your support

Without continued public support, HAPPA simply cannot survive and horses will be left to suffer in silence. Donations are our lifeline this winter. Without them, we may be forced to close our stable doors to the abandoned, neglected and abused equines who need us most. Together, we can give them a voice. Together, we can ensure no horse is forgotten. Because every horse has HAPPA’s heart.