Charities | Equine

Blue Cross teams up with Mary King to teach young people about horse welfare

vetreportAugust 7, 2019

Top event rider Mary King is helping national pet charity Blue Cross to tackle horse welfare with a new education resource. Mary, who signed up to become the first ever Blue Cross Equine Ambassador last year, stars in a new video showcasing the charity’s dedication to help improve the current horse welfare crisis. You can watch the video at www.bluecross.org.uk/maryking 

The Blue Cross education programme is focussed on responsible pet ownership and aims to inspire children and young people to learn more about how to take on and care for pets appropriately. Each year the charity’s education team reaches around 100,000 people throughout the UK using a network of Education officers and volunteer speakers.  

“In terms of horses, the biggest issue is the sheer number of them needing our help,” said Gemma Taylor, Education Officer at Blue Cross.

“Too many horses and not enough homes mean that UK charities are being swamped with abandoned, unwanted and neglected horses and ponies,” she continued. “We are thrilled to have teamed up with Mary King to help encourage people to understand and engage with the problem to help prevent it from escalating.”

The charity offers free talks on horse & pony health, welfare and current issues – to give Pony Club members, school pupils and College students an insight into the work of Blue Cross.

With Mary’s support, Blue Cross highlights the grave and growing welfare implications of the horse crisis. Volunteer education speakers, supported by videos featuring Mary King, will spread the word about the five welfare needs of horses for physical and mental wellbeing and the need to breed responsibly.

As a member of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) Blue Cross has collaborated on health and welfare guidance for horse owners and the education team works at the NEWC education and information tent at Appleby horse fair each year. The charity also works with the BHS and BEVA on horse health and castration days around the country.

To find out more about the Blue Cross horse crisis resource  and to see if a speaker is available in your area https://www.bluecross.org.uk/education

If you are interested in becoming a Blue Cross volunteer Education Speaker visit https://www.bluecross.org.uk/volunteer-our-education-team

For more information on Educational talks from Blue Cross www.bluecross.org.uk/education