The UK’s equine rescue, rehoming and sanctuary sector is under severe and growing pressure, with organisations reporting increased demand for help, rising costs, reduced donations and a lack of space for equines in need.
The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) has published the findings of its Rescue, Rehoming and Sanctuaries Survey 2026, highlighting the significant challenges currently facing organisations providing a vital safety net for horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK.
The survey was undertaken by World Horse Welfare and Redwings Horse Sanctuary on behalf of NEWC, gathering information from rescue centres, rehoming organisations and sanctuaries across the country.
The findings paint a concerning picture, with all responding organisations reporting that they are now at or near capacity. Collectively, the organisations taking part in the survey are caring for approximately 4,500 equines.
Rising demand for welfare support
The survey shows that demand for support is continuing to increase.
81% of respondents reported an increase in requests to hand over equines, while 67% had seen an increase in calls relating to welfare concerns. More than a third also reported an increase in equines being returned by adopters.
At the same time, fewer equines are leaving rescue organisations through rehoming, creating a growing bottleneck within the sector.
Half of the organisations surveyed said they were already at or over capacity, while the remainder reported being close to capacity.
This means that when new welfare cases arise, there is increasingly limited space available for organisations to provide emergency accommodation or accept equines into their care.
Rising costs add to the pressure
Financial pressures are also having a significant impact.
More than 90% of respondents said they were concerned about the effect of the cost-of-living crisis, while 84% reported increased equine management costs and 89% had experienced increased site maintenance costs.
The cost of keeping equines has risen considerably, with forage, veterinary care, energy and property maintenance all contributing to increased expenditure.
Environmental conditions are adding another challenge. Wet winters have affected pasture and grazing, while periods of drought and high temperatures have increased pressure on forage availability and costs.
Despite these financial pressures, rescue and sanctuary organisations remain committed to maintaining welfare standards.
The survey found that most organisations would not reduce forage, move to cheaper forage or reduce bedding in an attempt to manage costs where doing so could compromise equine welfare.
Funding is becoming more difficult
Alongside rising costs, organisations are also facing challenges in securing the funding needed to continue their work.
63% of respondents reported receiving fewer large donations during the year, while 65% said they were finding it more difficult to secure major donors.
For charities and other organisations already operating with significant numbers of equines in their care, a combination of increased expenditure and reduced income creates a particularly difficult situation.
Some organisations are now having to make difficult operational decisions simply to remain viable.
More than a third of respondents have introduced stricter intake criteria, more than half have reduced the number of equines they are able to take in, and more than a third have undergone restructuring.
Two organisations responding to the survey are facing planned or guaranteed closure.
What does this mean for equine welfare?
The findings highlight the importance of looking at the wider picture of equine welfare and responsible ownership.
Rescue centres and sanctuaries play an essential role when equines can no longer be cared for by their owners or when welfare concerns require intervention. However, their capacity is not unlimited.
With organisations increasingly unable to accept additional equines, preventing welfare problems from reaching crisis point becomes even more important.
NEWC plans to use the survey findings to engage with rescue and rehoming organisations to identify the support they need most, while also raising awareness among equine owners about some of the wider issues affecting the welfare sector.
These include responsible ownership, breeding practices and forward planning for forage availability, as well as the financial realities of keeping an equine.
A warning for the future
The survey provides an important snapshot of the pressures facing the sector, but NEWC has warned that conditions may become more challenging if current trends continue.
Since the survey closed in April 2026, parts of the UK have experienced extended periods of high temperatures and drought, adding further concerns around grazing, forage availability and costs.
The findings will also be shared with governments and political representatives across the UK, with NEWC highlighting the challenges facing rescue and rehoming organisations and the need for action to help protect equines in need.
For the organisations working on the frontline of equine welfare, the message is clear: demand is rising, capacity is limited and the cost of providing care is increasing.
The rescue and rehoming sector remains committed to protecting equine welfare, but continued support and greater focus on prevention and responsible ownership will be essential if the UK’s equine welfare safety net is to remain sustainable.
Read the full findings
NEWC has published both an Executive Summary and the full Sector Report from the Rescue, Rehoming and Sanctuaries Survey 2026.
Read the Rescue, Rehoming and Sanctuaries Survey 2026
Source: National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC), Rescue, Rehoming and Sanctuaries Survey 2026.