The Horse Trust

The Horse Trust The Horse Trust provides lifetime sanctuary for over 130 retired horses, ponies and donkeys.
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Happy Father’s Day! ✨Our resident dad, Storm, started his special day the right way, with a lovely, well-deserved lie-in...
21/06/2026

Happy Father’s Day! ✨

Our resident dad, Storm, started his special day the right way, with a lovely, well-deserved lie-in! He’s saving up his energy for a full day of father-son bonding time with Tyrone, and we hear Tyrone has quite the itinerary planned. From seeking out the best spots for hedge foraging and sharing the greenest grass, to a good old-fashioned mutual grooming session, it’s bound to be a wonderful day together.

Storm is incredibly special to us here at the sanctuary, not just as a wonderful character, but as a proud dad to two of our beautiful residents, Tyrone and Meg. Watching their bonds continue to grow here in the Chiltern Hills is a daily reminder of how deep these animals' connections really are.

Whether you are a dad, a father figure, or a caregiver, we want to wish everyone who guides, protects, and loves others a truly wonderful and heartfelt day. HTx💚

As a special thank you, TODAY ONLY we are offering 10% OFF, HHH tickets. Use code FATHERSDAY10 for 10% off at checkout: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/horses-hounds-and-heroes-2026-tickets-1985502350980?discount=FATHERSDAY10


Photo credits: HT Senior Groom, Lotte.

We are absolutely thrilled to give a massive shout-out to another of our incredible sponsors, Kubota!As market leaders i...
20/06/2026

We are absolutely thrilled to give a massive shout-out to another of our incredible sponsors, Kubota!

As market leaders in high-performance agricultural, groundcare, and construction machinery, Kubota is famous for quality, innovation, and reliability. But what we love most is their 'For Earth, For Life' mission, which reflects their deep commitment to building a sustainable future.

We are so incredibly grateful for their support, and we have some exciting news for everyone attending our upcoming event:

Kubota will be displaying some of their amazing equipment on the day for you to check out up close! They are also very kindly providing the tractor for our incredibly popular tractor rides!

An enormous thank you to the whole Kubota UK team for helping us make this day so special for our community and our residents. We can't wait!

Drop a 🙌 in the comments to help us thank them, and let us know if you'll be lining up for a tractor ride! HTx 💚

Book your tickets today: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/horses-hounds-and-heroes-2026-tickets-1985502350980?aff=oddtdtcreator

At The Horse Trust, every member of the team brings their own unique journey to horse welfare – and Kelly’s path has bee...
20/06/2026

At The Horse Trust, every member of the team brings their own unique journey to horse welfare – and Kelly’s path has been anything but traditional. Although she has been a Groom at The Horse Trust for just over a year, Kelly has already become a familiar face among the horses in her care, embracing every opportunity to learn, grow and make a difference.

From growing up without a horsey background to training with the Mounted Police and now caring for some of The Horse Trust’s much-loved residents, Kelly’s story is proof that passion, determination and a willingness to learn can take you far.

No two days are ever quite the same for Kelly. From caring for retired residents to welcoming respite horses from the Metropolitan Police, her role is varied, rewarding and full of memorable moments. We took a walk with Kelly to hear more about her journey, favourite horses, and what she loves most about life at The Horse Trust.

“I actually visited as a child, so it’s quite special to now be part of the team,” Kelly says. “My advice to anyone considering a career with horses? Just go for it. You don’t have to have all the answers before you begin.”

We are so grateful for Kelly’s dedication, patience, and compassion. Thank you for everything you do for our residents, Kelly! HTx 💚

Read Kelly's full interview here: https://horsetrust.org.uk/hay-there-kelly-equine-care-team/

19/06/2026

Annie has come such a long way, and so many of you have been part of her story.

From the moment she arrived at The Horse Trust, she captured hearts. Since then, you’ve followed her progress, cheered her on, and helped surround her with the care she so desperately needed.

Now, something very special is coming.

We’ll be sharing Annie’s next chapter at our Horses, Hounds and Heroes event on the 28th June.

Can you guess what it is? HTx 💚

Nora has had a bit of an up-and-down few days, and we want to keep you all in the loop on her recovery journey. Over the...
18/06/2026

Nora has had a bit of an up-and-down few days, and we want to keep you all in the loop on her recovery journey.

Over the weekend, she was doing so well that she was able to return to the donkey paddock with her mum, Lola. She seemed bright, was eating, and her temperature remained normal.

However, during her regular weigh-in and check up on Tuesday, our team noticed she had dropped some weight. While this could potentially be due to changes in gut fill, we aren't taking any chances with our precious girl. To ensure she is getting all the nutrition she needs and maintaining her weight, Nora and Lola have moved back into the barn for now. Nora is currently enjoying special, easy-to-eat mashes to help her out.

With donkeys, even small changes require immediate action. Donkeys are naturally incredibly stoic animals. As a prey species, their instinct is to hide any weakness or pain from potential predators by pretending to be perfectly okay. Because they don't outwardly show when they are feeling under the weather, any sign that a donkey might be struggling is a cause for concern for our veterinary team. We are keeping a very close eye on our lovely Nora, showering her with care, and doing everything we can to get her over this hurdle.

We know she will be back to her usual self soon, demanding bottom scratches from anyone who enters the paddock! Thank you for keeping Nora in your thoughts and sending so much love her way. We will keep you updated. HTx 💚


Photo credits: HT Senior Groom, Courtney.

17/06/2026

Meet Emma.

Emma is the kind of horse who made people feel safe.

For nearly seven years, this gentle piebald mare worked with Crosby Group RDA, supporting riders with a wide range of disabilities. She worked up to five days a week, helping people build confidence, strength and trust.

But Emma’s work was never only about riding.

She also took part in Tea with a Pony sessions, gently meeting participants living with dementia, and regular Meet and Greets, helping people grow more comfortable around horses at their own pace.

Calm, kind and patient, Emma gave so much to the people around her.

Now, due to her ligament injury, Cushing’s disease and age-related changes, Emma has retired while she is still happy and comfortable. She is settling into life at The Horse Trust, where her days can be slower, gentler and full of care.

Your donation helps us provide lifelong care for residents like Emma. HTx 💚

It is with heavy hearts, we share that we have said a final goodbye to our beloved Starling. Arriving in 2017 alongside ...
17/06/2026

It is with heavy hearts, we share that we have said a final goodbye to our beloved Starling.

Arriving in 2017 alongside her companion Fred, Starling previously spent years at a care home helping individuals with learning difficulties. Her gentle, patient nature made her a trusted therapy pony who touched countless lives.

While Starling’s therapeutic work showcased her gentle side, those who knew her at The Horse Trust also came to love her larger-than-life personality.

Never one to blend into the background, Starling was often seen sporting an array of colourful and eye-catching fly rugs. From zebra prints to her famous strawberry-themed outfits, she wore each one with style and confidence, earning her the affectionate nickname of our very own “Strawberry Shortcake.”

Despite standing at just 11hh, Starling had no interest in being treated like one of the little ponies. Instead, she preferred the company of the larger mares in the herd and quickly established herself amongst them.

Sadly, during a recent veterinary review, Starling's health had significantly deteriorated due to multiple ongoing conditions. To ensure her welfare, the kindest decision was made to let her go peacefully. She spent her final afternoon thoroughly spoiled, surrounded by love and plenty of delicious grass.

“Starling loved to have daily chest scratches... I fell in love with her from the moment I started in 2021 and will really miss the comedy she used to bring to us,” shares Senior Groom, Courtney.

Thank you, Starling, for the smiles, the sass, and the privilege of caring for you. Sleep well, little lady. You will be missed by all your human and equine friends. HTx💚

Read Starling's full dedication here: https://horsetrust.org.uk/goodnight-starling/

We are delighted to highlight Dengie Horse Feeds  as a sponsor of our annual Horses, Hounds and Heroes fundraising event...
16/06/2026

We are delighted to highlight Dengie Horse Feeds as a sponsor of our annual Horses, Hounds and Heroes fundraising event.

As Dengie shares: “We are the leading UK producer of fibre-based horse feeds, with a strong focus on nutrition and horse wellbeing. Alongside our range of feeds, our highly qualified team of nutritionists provide helpful advice and guidance for horse and pony owners.”

For a charity like The Horse Trust, partnering with organisations that share our deep commitment to equine welfare is essential. The £30,000 raised on average by this event covers around half of our annual farrier costs, and the support of sponsors like Dengie Horse Feeds helps us maximise the impact of our care for the horses.

Thank you to the entire team at Dengie Horse Feeds for your support.

To explore how your organisation can partner with us for future events, please contact Joanne at [email protected]. HTx 💚

Address

Slad Lane
Buckinghamshire
HP270PP

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