Our Second Chance rehoming project gives neglected and rescued horses a fresh start at one of our BHS Approved Centres. Our expert teams provide the essential care and support these horses deserve.
Amidst rising challenges, this scheme provides a lifeline to horse owners in financial difficulty, and to horses affected by the 'equine crisis', which has worsened since the pandemic.
Horses are rehomed and welcomed with open arms at our Approved Centres, where they are nurtured and cared for by professionals. Our scheme not only supports horses and owners, but also supplies affordable, suitable ponies to riding schools across the UK.
Since 2019, in collaboration with the RSPCA and Bransby Horses, we've successfully rehomed over 130 horses, proving every horse deserves a safe home and a second chance.
Together, we're committed to making a real difference. Join us in ensuring every horse gets the opportunity they deserve.
Changing Lives
The Second Chance programme begun as a pilot partnership project with the RSPCA in 2019, placing 25 rescued horses into some of our Approved Centres that were delivering the BHS’s Changing Lives through Horses (CLtH) alternative education programme. The difficult backgrounds experienced by many young CLtH programme participants made them particularly able to relate to these horses. In the latest round of the project in July 2021, an incredible 221 of our Approved Centres registered their interest in rehoming.
But without your help and our brilliant riding schools, these horses face an uncertain future.
Meet our Second Chance Horses
Tommy & Angus
chevron-down
chevron-up
Firm friends from their first meeting, Tommy and Angus have come a long way since their rescue. Tommy was abandoned on the road as a weak and underweight yearling, and best friend Angus was taken from a banned breeder into charity care.
Through the BHS they have been rehomed with BHS Approved Marros Riding centre and have flourished under the careful guidance of the staff who work there. Their personalities soon came to the fore with Tommy identified as ‘the boss’ and Angus a sociable character, getting on with mares and geldings alike. This cheeky pair now a have future where they will continue to gain confidence whilst bringing joy to children for generations to come.
Pebbles
chevron-down
chevron-up
Pebbles was seized by the RSPCA last year in 2022 when spotted in a busy supermarket car park pulling a cart. The man driving the cart was continuously hitting her with a stick for no reason. The horse was traced back to the location where she was kept which was in an appalling state. She also was in a very poor condition and only three years old. She was taken into RSPCA care and then rehomed to Queen Mary’s Equestrian Centre, a BHS Approved Centre, where she now lives a safe, new life. Initially she was quite nervous and scared to come out of the stable, but with continuous gentle handling she has become confident with being led in-and-out of the stable and the field. Pebbles enjoys the company of people and is very sweet natured and loves to be groomed and is very well behaved for the farrier. Because she had been broken to drive at such an early age and has clearly suffered awful experiences, the Centre has not yet started preparing pebbles to be ridden. Now she is rising four this year the Centre staff will start with some groundwork and see how she progress.
Alan
chevron-down
chevron-up
When Alan arrived at Cliffhollins Riding School, a BHS Approved Centre, he wouldn't mix with the herd initially as he still had stallion instincts. Gradually he was introduced to the other horses and now lives in a mixed herd. After four months of careful training and patient handling, Alan was broken in and is now being used in the riding school. He is a great pony taking part in the Changing Lives Through Horses programme and pony club activities. He loves a grooming session and standing still whilst educating others about the points on his body.
Alan has found an ideal home where we are told he is an absolute superstar and takes daily challenges in his stride, even popping over a few fences now!
Horrace
chevron-down
chevron-up
Horrace was rescued by Bransby Horses. Through our Second Chance Rehoming Project, we were able to find him a new home at our BHS Approved Pinkmead Farm Equestrian Centre.
Mandi Rowe, from Pinkmead, told us: “We have been honoured to rehome ‘Horrace’ from Bransby Horses.
He arrived with us in January this year and really has become part of our family of four legged friends.
Horrace is an absolute gem; he is kind and gentle with the children and enjoys being fussed over.
He is now teaching children to ride in both private and group lessons and becoming a firm favourite.
Thank you Bransby and to The British Horse Society Second Chance for all your help and support.”
play-circle
Watch
Tommy & Angus
Help give neglected horses a second chance
Slinky, Tommy and Angus have had their lives given back to them. But there are more horses, just like them, who need your help. Your donations can help us deliver a brighter future for rescue horses, so they can rest, recover and rediscover a brighter life as a ridden horse.
Other ways to donate
SMS
chevron-down
chevron-up
- Text CHANCE 10 to 70607 to donate £10
- Text CHANCE 20 to 70607 to donate £20
By phone
chevron-down
chevron-up
Please call us on 0300 330 0148*
*Calls may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
By post
chevron-down
chevron-up
Please make all cheques payable to ‘The British Horse Society’ and sent to:
The British Horse Society
Abbey Park
Stareton
Kenilworth
CV82XZ
Please write ‘Second Chance Rehoming Project’ on the back of the cheque. Please do not send any cash by post.
Changing Lives through Horses
Changing Lives through Horses aims to improve the lives of disengaged young people, regardless of their background, and give them the opportunity to develop skills that enable them to return to education and/or employment.
Deliver Changing Lives through Horses at your riding centre
If you are passionate about helping young people and wish to offer the Changing Lives through Horses programme at your riding centre then you can find out more here about delivering the programme here.
