Why gifts in Wills matter | British Horse Society

The difference your gift can make

Thanks to generous supporters like you, in the last year alone:

Over 16,000 horses and people were helped.

More than 250 km of off-road routes were improved for riders.

4,000+ children experienced the magic of horses through our education programmes.

Legacies help make achievements like these possible.

Lucy’s story

After making sure her children were cared for, Lucy wanted to give something back to what had been so important throughout her life.

“I wanted to give something back to things that have been of real significance to me throughout my life, and so it seemed obvious to leave something to the BHS – to pass on the joy that I have had from riding horses and from being in the countryside to the next generation, and possibly generations after that.” – Lucy

Watch Lucy share her story in her own words below.

Why Lucy's leaving a gift to the BHS in her Will

How legacies help the BHS

Jean and her pony, Blue, on another one of their adventures

"Mum’s passion for horses began riding as a teenager at a local farm with her best friend. Then, after having her family, we owned our own ponies, taking them on holiday to Thetford Forest and to the beach at Skegness for some amazing riding.

At home, we regularly hacked out making use of local bridleways and forestry commission tracks. I remember one when we would jump the ditch rather than risk our legs on the bridge where horse and rider only just fitted between the handrails! We did complain to the council but with no success.

Mum joined the BHS around this time, initially for the benefit of the insurance cover with the Gold membership but, in reading the magazines and finding out all the BHS did, she became particularly passionate about the campaign to improve access for horse riders.

Blue, a Dales pony cross and a real character, was a very affectionate horse and had a strong bond with Mum but he did lack manners on the ground! However, when he was being ridden he was pretty good and Mum would take him out for long hacks on her own, both at home and on extended holidays in her beloved Lake District. Some of her best times with Blue were doing the Mary Townley Loop and riding up on the Lakeland fells with her friends.

Mum knew she was lucky to have the opportunity to do all this hence her Access legacy to the BHS for others to be able to do the same and have good riding access and bridleways. It’s great to be able to take your horse on holiday but overall, it’s more important to have good, safe hacking locally for regular safe riding."

Carolyn Andrews

“A BHS Development Officer in the South West for twelve years, Carolyn had a big heart for Welfare. Thanks to the legacy kindly given by the late Carolyn Andrews, we are continuing to meet horse owners to discuss weight management options through weighing and fat scoring horses at centres, yards and events.”