Horse Welfare - Extra precautions advised as hot weather forecast for Appleby Horse Fair 2023
Appleby Horse Fair is centred around the trading of horses and has been in existence for at least 300 years. It is very important to the GRT community, around 10,000 of whom attend the Fair, as well as more than 30,000 other visitors.
Nine animal welfare charities – who are all members of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) - work together at Appleby to support the protection and wellbeing of the horses at the event.
The collaboration, called Appleby Horse Fair Equine Welfare Project, is made up of the RSPCA who are sending 34 people this year; Redwings Horse Sanctuary who are sending nine; Blue Cross who are sending eight; World Horse Welfare who are sending eight; Bransby Horses who are sending six; The British Horse Society who are sending three; The Donkey Sanctuary who are sending three; Oak Tree Animals who are sending two and The Horse Trust.
Appleby Horse Fair is centred around the trading of horses and has been in existence for at least 300 years. It is very important to the GRT community, around 10,000 of whom attend the Fair, as well as more than 30,000 other visitors.
Nine animal welfare charities – who are all members of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) - work together at Appleby to support the protection and wellbeing of the horses at the event.
The collaboration, called Appleby Horse Fair Equine Welfare Project, is made up of the RSPCA who are sending 34 people this year; Redwings Horse Sanctuary who are sending nine; Blue Cross who are sending eight; World Horse Welfare who are sending eight; Bransby Horses who are sending six; The British Horse Society who are sending three; The Donkey Sanctuary who are sending three; Oak Tree Animals who are sending two and The Horse Trust.
RSPCA officers will be supported by the other charities to help any animals who are sick, injured or whose needs are not being met.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Rob Melloy said: “The weather plays a huge role in the Fair and the forecast says it’s going to be a hot one.
“Just as it’s important for us to drink plenty and not work too hard in hot weather, it’s important for our horses. They need to have regular access to water, be drinking after being worked and be tied up in the shade. Owners may need to have more patience than normal as horses sometimes don’t want to drink if they are in an overstimulating environment.
“Due to the nature of any horse fair, where animals are traded, and especially given that Appleby comes off the back of Kirkby Stephen, owners may not know how much their horse has been worked beforehand so we want to encourage people to err on the safe side and not overdo it, especially in the conditions.
“Day trippers should not be bringing their dogs to the Fair. Most people know by now that leaving a dog in a car on a hot day can be fatal but unbelievably some people still take the risk and we’ve had to rescue dogs at 14 of the past 15 events. This isn’t the only danger though, we now know that exercising your dog on a hot day can be just as hazardous*, so please don’t put your pet or yourself in that position.”
There will be a vet station at Salt Tip Corner where fairgoers can go for assistance with any animal that needs it, and anyone with any concerns can approach an RSPCA or World Horse Welfare officer or call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. The vet station is staffed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
This year, Appleby Horse Fair Equine Welfare Project is asking fairgoers what changes – if any – they think could be made to make it the best possible event for horses. Staff will be identifiable by white ‘Everyone has a voice’ armbands, or anyone who would like to have their say is invited to head to the red NEWC tent on Salt Tip Corner for refreshments and a chat.
The ‘Best at Appleby’ competition – sponsored by the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association and now in its 8th year – will celebrate examples of equine health, happiness, and horsemanship. Since 2015 over 60 rosettes have been given out during the Fair, including the most prestigious Vet’s Choice and People’s Choice – chosen by the public on social media. To get involved go to https://www.facebook.com/HappyHealthyHorses
ENDS
Note to editors:
*A survey by the British Veterinary Association after 2022’s record-breaking summer found that while around 1 in 10 (9%) vets in small animal practice had seen at least one dog affected by the heat after being left in a hot car, almost four times as many vets (38%) had seen at least one dog affected by the heat after being walked or exercised in hot weather.
Media for Appleby Horse Fair Equine Welfare Project is being managed by Leanne Plumtree, Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s Senior Press Officer, who will be at the Fair from Thursday – Monday based at the NEWC tent on Salt Tip Corner. You can contact Leanne on 07711 489623, message/Whatsapp 07825 148879 or email lplumtree@redwings.co.uk
There will be an interview opportunity with representatives from Appleby Equine Welfare Project at the NEWC tent on Salt Tip Corner at 1pm on Thursday 8th June. Please note that signal at the event is challenging, no confirmation of attendance is needed.
A selection of photos including horses drinking water at last year’s Fair are available to download from this link https://we.tl/t-zmkFL4CyuW