The Horse Trust  look after many of our heroic horses who have served the public, whether working for the police or military.   These horses receive no government support once their working lives end, and the charity is fighting to be a safety net for them, and give them the retirement they all deserve.

The Trust was founded 138 years ago, and during World War 1, it pioneered the creation of the first-ever motorised horse ambulance, thus saving the lives of thousands of war horses.  The Trust provided expert care and a loving home to Sefton, Echo and Yeti after the terrible Hyde Park Bombing.  And for those of you who remember the five military horses who bolted through Central London, the Trust was there for them.  It also cared for Urbane, the Metropolitan Police horse who was viciously mauled in a dog attack.

I have visited the Horse Trust and I sponsor a horse – Trojan who worked for Thames Valley Police.  It is the most amazing place, full of love and goodwill, kindness and care.  And they re-opened on the 6th February 2025 - find out about visiting the Trust here.  I love the Black Beauty Tea Room! 

Running the Home of Rest costs £134,000 every month – even more in winter.  Many of the horses need more complex veterinary treatment, expensive feed and medicines.  There are some huge horses there, 18 hands plus so you can imagine the food bill!

So if you are able to donate to the Trust, please do.  

You could sponsor Hyderabad, who served with the Household Cavalry

The Trust also take in ponies who have done their bit with Riding for the Disabled and also severe welfare cases, and examples include Star who came from Spindles Farm and Bear  and Shetlands Fidget and Widget who were found in a field with only a puddle to drink from and no grass to eat.

Fidget and Widget are two very cheeky Shetlands.  
They love running circles around the grooms!
You can find out more about them and sponsor them here.

You can sponsor these horses and ponies to help the Horse Trust care for them.   Visit their Sponsor A Resident page here.

And please visit if you can - the times and open days are here.  The Trust is in Buckinghamshire.  It's an incredible place to visit - full of love, goodwill and kindness.  (I find the most difficult bit is not to try to smuggle any four footed friends into the car and take them home, but I know they receive the best care possible at the Trust, so I drive home alone, but but with happy memories of a lovely visit.)  Find out more about visiting the Trust here.

Our thanks to everyone looking after these wonderful horses, ponies and donkeys, and thank you too to the animals themselves for their service and love.  

Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild is on tonight, Tuesday 23 January 2024 at 9pm on Channel 5.

And tonight, he heads off to Southeast Asia to lend a paw at a dog sanctuary on the island of Koh Samui.

Niall Harbison used to be a chef and social media guru, but now he lies on this island and has created a new life for himself, turning his life around to help his mental health by dedicating himeslf to helping the island's thousands of stray dogs.  His charity is called HappyDoggo, and it's mission is to fix the global street dog problem.

There are 10,000 stray dogs on the island and following Ben Fogle's programme will give us all  great insight into efforts to help them.  

Dogs that cannot make it on the street are given a second chance with a loving home in Thailand or abroad.

Sterilising is the most important thing to do to help street dogs, who also need food, water and veterinary care.  Since launching, Happy Doggo have  sterilized and vaccinated over 2,000 dogs.  They're on track to increase that number ten times.  And Niall's goal is to halve the number of street dogs in the world so this is a global effort. 

Ways to help:

• Donate
• Volunteer
• Subscribe to the newsletter
• Give a dog a home!
• Spread the word
  
  

Visit HappyDoggo.com here to find out more.

Subscribe to their newsletter here

Here's their YouTube channel

And there are a list of charities who neuter and spay here.

Let's help Niall achieve his goal!  Please do what you can to help.