The Irish Horse Welfare Trust, Charity No. CHY14634 was established in 1999 and formally set up in 2001 to help the plight of neglected horses in Ireland and was Ireland’s largest dedicated equine charity.
It was established to provide a dedicated centre that is equipped for dealing with the rehabilitation and re-homing equines. We care for an average of 65 horses and ponies at our Equine Centre in Woodenbridge, Co Wicklow. In recent years we have had up to 100 rescue horses in care and the IHWT has become a specialist rehabilitation centre for Thoroughbred type horses.
At our Equine Centre we deal with many rescues most of which have suffered from severe neglect and cruelty. Our staff will work with local Gardai, NGO’s and Government authorities when necessary.
The cost of running IHWT is over €300,000 per annum so we rely on grants, fundraising and donations from members of the public to continue helping horses that have suffered. The length of rehabilitation of equines at IHWT will vary depending on injury and the condition of the horse/pony when they are rescued. IHWT has a huge rescue and re-homing success rate with hundreds of horses and ponies re-homed in Ireland, all who would have died through neglect if it had not been for intervention. In some cases, decisions have to be made to put an equine to sleep, in order to minimise an ongoing disease or serious complication.
We are grateful to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a grant in November 2024 of 136,900 euros and Horse Racing Ireland for a grant of 72,000 euros. This is essential support for our operations.
You can make a real difference by making a donation or by re-homing one of our rescues.
Our vision is that the care and welfare of all equines, is safeguarded in Ireland – a country of excellence in all aspects of equine care and well-being. Our mission is to ensure that the IHWT has a solid base and an evolving, ever strengthening remit to contribute positively to achieving this vision.
This work is carried out alongside and with the support of our horse industry partners. We endeavour to work with state agencies and other animal welfare organisations.
We are grateful to Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Horse Racing Ireland and to all of our other sponsors and supporters including: Gain Equine Nutrition, Maplehurst Farms (Hay), TRM, Irish Association of Racehorse Trainers.
Horses and ponies are re-home to suitable homes with adequate facilities and to persons with adequate knowledge and where a home check has been satisfactorily carried out. We aim to do routine follow up checks on equines and will take an equine back upon request of a loaner.
Where an equine is sick or injured or there is no reasonable chance of rehabilitation, recovery or re-homing, those equines are euthanized by a veterinary surgeon.
We believe that all equines should be well cared for according to their physical, physiological and behavioural needs an kept in compliance with the legislation governing equine ownership in Ireland.
As well as helping equines in need and promoting equine welfare, we have important obligations to our supporters.By submitting our supporter sign up form you agree to receive communications from IHWT. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.
You are entitled to:
The board of the IHWT is committed to the principles of good governance and believe in openness, transparency and accountability. The Irish Horse Welfare Trust is compliant with the Charities Governance code.
The IHWT is registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) Registered Charity Number 20048235.
See https://www.charitiesregister.ie/
Please click here for a copy of IHWT Charity Constitution
The IHWT fully complies with the Charity Regulatory Authority’s Fundraising Guidelines
The IHWT is signed up to the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising and adheres with Charities Institute Ireland Codes of Practice on Fundraising please see IHWT Fundraising Policy
Members of the board of directors as follows:
Directors: Bridget McGing, Tadgh Quill Manley, Margaret McMullin, Claire Owens, Michael Doyle, Mary Fanning McCormack.
Patron: Jessica Harrington.
The IHWT is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Ireland with the company number 343407. The IHWT is a registered charity CHY 14634 and is registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority, Registered Charity Number 20048235.
We are 100% dedicated to our primary goals
