MEET OUR HORSES
Horse Welfare in tenerife
The welfare of all our horses really matters to us. We want them to be as fit, happy and healthy as possible.
Especially after some of the hardships they endured before arriving at the Sanctuary.
Over the years we have all learned a lot about the care of our animals.
And in many cases just using common sense or horse sense.
We have found that It is very common for horses to be kept in all different
situations here on the island. Often inside a room/ stable/ space made of
metal bed frames for 24 hours a day only taken out to go riding. Of course
sometimes this comes with the mistreated cases, knee deep in their own
waste with no food or water. But sometimes this is also the case for the
« well » looked after horses, having food, water and general care but being
kept inside alone. Often the only horse on the property. Sadly, it can all be
due to ignorance and genuinely not knowing any better regarding the
welfare of horses.
This island is fairly small with limited access to land. And the land is generally rock and very uneven making it almost impossible for big open paddocks allowing free movement for horses. Here at our finca we keep all of our horses in mini herds of between 3 and 6 and they live out 100% of the time. We currently have 5 different paddocks of various sizes allowing as much movement as possible. But we would love to expand and buy neighbouring land for more and bigger paddocks. Although the size of our paddocks are very large compared to the norm here. They are still in our opinion too small to allow complete freedom for optimum health and well being. To keep all of our horses appropriately exercised and stimulated, we have volunteers who work with them daily. This includes a variety of different ways from in hand walking, free schooling to some riding.
THE FIVE FREEDOMS
- Freedom from fear and distress abandoned animals. Those subject to dog
attacks, low flying aircraft or similar or
those suffering from any of the above. - Freedom to express (most)
normal behaviour the animal is tethered incorrectly
and/or does not have sufficient
space or proper facilities and living
conditions. Further information on
tethering can be found here. - Freedom from hunger
or thirst the animal has little or no access to
fresh water and/or food.
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease the animal clearly shows disease, an
untreated injury or perhaps severely
overgrown hooves. - Freedom from discomfort the animal does not have somewhere to
lie down or gain shelter. Or is exposed
to extreme weather conditions.
Articles ABOUT HORSE WELFARE
YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE !
