Some of your questions
This part of the Junior Members website is dedicated to answering your questions. I hope that you find out what you'd like to know - however, if you have any other questions you'd like answered, email us.
Your Questions about Working with Horses:
I’d like to work with horses, do you have any advice?
There are many ways in which you can work with horses and therefore many career opportunities. The first steps you take will depend on the kind of work you want to do. The best advice we can give you is to gain as much experience as possible. If you think you might like to be a groom or like being ‘hands on’, volunteer at you local riding school, or if you’re more interested in horse welfare visit our farms and find out about the work of World Horse Welfare. You could also speak to equine professionals such as your local vet or farrier and find out more about what their job involves and how they trained.
There are many courses you can take to study horses and related careers. All jobs with horses require considerable commitment and hard work; most involve long hours, often outdoors in all weather conditions. Even though there are many different types of career, there is often strong competition. However, if you love horses and are committed to working to achieve your goals, then anything is possible!
Can I volunteer at a World Horse Welfare Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept voluntary help with our horses. Many of them have been mistreated or neglected, which can affect their behaviour - therefore, due to insurance and health and safety restrictions, only employed members of staff are able to work alongside them.
However, if you are 14 or over then you may be able to apply for a work experience placement. See work experience below for more information.
Can I do work experience with World Horse Welfare?
Work experience placements are available at our four recovery and rehabilitation centres in Norfolk, Lancashire, Somerset and Aberdeenshire - however, places are limited and only offered to those students with previous equine experience and who are genuinely interested in following a career in the industry.
You must be 14 years old or over in order to be eligible for the work experience programme, which normally runs for a period of one or two weeks.
On-site, shared accommodation may be available during your placement; however, you need to be at least 16 years of age to qualify for this.
All work experience students will require the following clothing and will not be permitted on the yard without it:
• Steel-toe-capped boots - these must be worn at all times;
• Jodhpurs, tracksuit bottoms or loose-fitting trousers
• Riding hat and gloves;
• Wet weather gear.
Please note that jewellery is not permitted on the yard.
It is also possible to have a short work experience placement within World Horse Welfare's Head Office, based in Norfolk. Placements will only be offered to students if appropriate work is available at the relevant time, in order to keep the student occupied and therefore benefit fully from their time spent with the charity.
Please note that accommodation is not available for placements within the office. Download an application form here. If you require more information, please contact Gillian Larter, Human Resources Assistant, on 01953 497233.
What is it like to work for World Horse Welfare?
There are lots of people who work for World Horse Welfare, in a huge variety of job roles, at our Recovery and Rehabilitation Centres which are based in Norfolk, Lancashire, Somerset and Aberdeenshire, and at our Head Office.
A World Horse Welfare groom's work involves the daily care and monitoring of a number of horses. Grooms must be patient, even-tempered and have the confidence to work around difficult horses undergoing rehabilitation. They are fit, happy to work irregular hours and to work outside in all weathers. It’s not an easy job, but it’s very rewarding when they see the progress of the horses they are caring for. Download the pdf below and learn all about a Day in the Life of a Groom.
World Horse Welfare also employs people called field officers. These people have a lot experience of working with horses and have excellent equine and legal knowledge. A field officer makes regular checks on our rehomed horses to ensure their care and condition is satisfactory, visiting markets and sales to ensure that equines are transported and cared for suitably, carrying out educational and promotional work - such as delivering talks in schools or riding centres - and offering general equine advice to horseowners. We also have Loan Visits Officers who are responsible for supporting their local field officer in monitoring World Horse Welfare horses that are out on loan. Watch the video to see a Day in the life of a Field Officer.
At Head Office, in Norfolk there are three main departments - UK Welfare, Campaigns and International Training. The people who work in UK Welfare work very closely with the field officers, farms and the public. They have an excellent knowledge of horses, and are involved with every step of a horses journey with World horse Welfare.
The Campaigns team are also based at Head Office in Norfolk. They are responsible for researching and implementing campaigns aimed to make changes that will make a difference to the lives of all horses.
Also at Head Office in Norfolk, the International Training team work hard to help care for working horses all around the world. They put together training programs which teach people how to look after their horses, which helps prevent problems in the future, and leaves a legacy of education.
To read more about the work of UK Welfare, Campaigns and International Training visit how we help horses for more information.
As you can see, there are a lot of people who work for World Horse Welfare, in a wide variety of roles. Each person’s job is very important and is essential to the brilliant work of the charity.
Your Questions about Getting Involved:
How can I help World Horse Welfare?
There are many ways in which you can help World Horse Welfare. Firstly, by signing up as a Junior Member you are showing your support, and you will be at the very heart of supporting World Horse Welfare. You can sign up today online and it’s absolutely free.
Another way in which you can show your support is to get involved and raise money for World Horse Welfare. We have a special fundraising scheme called Hoof It for Horses, which gives you lots of information on how you can hold and event, have lots of fun and raise money to help the horses in our care.
More about how to get involved
You can also adopt a horse, which is a great way to help horses, and for you to have contact with a horse if you haven’t got your own. For more information on how adopting a horse helps, see the question above ‘How do I help by adopting a horse?’.
How much does it cost to adopt a horse?
It costs just £5 per month to adopt a horse, and your gift really helps the horse in its recovery. To thank you for adopting a horse we’ll send you a DVD, a pin badge, a colour photo of your horse in a World Horse Welfare picture frame, full details of your horse, and exclusive quarterly updates on their progress.
How do I help by adopting a horse?
When you adopt a horse, you will be helping a horse through its special treatment at World Horse Welfare. The money you give will help to pay for all the everyday things that a horse needs, such as hay, shoes, rugs, tack, feed, and medication. The adoption horses stay at the World Horse Welfare Centre, and you are welcome to visit them on the days that the centre is open to visitors, or by calling the farm to arrange a visit. Without the help of our supporters, these horses and many others wouldn’t be able to receive the special care they need.
Your Questions about owning Horses and how to look after them:
How often do horses and ponies need their feet done?
As a general rule horses & ponies will need their feet trimmed or shod every 6 to 8 weeks.
How much water will a horse drink in a day?
Horses will drink between 20-70 litres of water a day.
What do horses and ponies eat?
The main part of a ponies diet is made up of grass or hay (dried grass), horses or ponies in work may need to be fed extra feed such as a horse or pony mix.
How do you measure a pony's height?
Horses and ponies are measured in hands, one hand is 4 inches (just over 10cms) and you measure from the ground to the ponies withers (bone at the base of a ponies neck, in front of where the saddle goes)
How often should I groom my pony?
It is a good idea to groom your pony every day, you will then be able to check for any injuries or swellings. It is also a good idea to pick your ponies feet out at least twice a day to check for stones and other problems.
How long do horses and ponies live for?
Horses and ponies can live up to between 20-30, although there are some can live longer than 30.
What can I do to learn more about horses and ponies?
Lots of reputable riding schools will offer own a pony days or weeks where you can find out how to care for ponies as well as learning to ride them. Own a pony days will include jobs like mucking out their stables and cleaning tack . There are also many interesting books you can read about horses and ponies, you should be able to get these from your local library.
What do I need to do if I would like to loan a pony from World Horse Welfare?
If you are thinking about loaning a pony from World Horse Welfare you will need to take a look at the horse loan scheme section of our website with a parent or guardian. You will be able to find out about how the scheme operates and then make an on-line application for a pony which sounds like it might fit the bill. From making your application you will then hear back from the farm where the pony is within a couple of weeks either by phone or email.
Dont forget, if you have any other questions you'd like answered, email us.
