Irish Horse Welfare Trust Irish Horse Welfare Trust
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Irish Horse

Welfare Trust

Who are we?

We are dedicated to the welfare
of equines in Ireland. 

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About Us

Find out who we are and what we do
Pie

Our Organisation

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 December 2021 of 94,000 euros and Horse Racing Ireland for a grant of 70,000 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 Facilities

Paddocks
Paddocks
The Irish Horse Welfare Trust farm comprises 68 acres divided into 13 railed grass paddocks and one all weather paddock.  Although in a hilly area the land is good and we endeavour to manage pasture as best we can despite being full to capacity at all times at the centre
Arena
Arena
The Irish Horse Welfare Trust outdoor arena is approximately 30m x 60 securely fenced.  The surface is sand and fibre.  It is necessary for the schooling and training of horses and ponies.  We also have a covered lunge ring with a sand surface and a horse walker.
Isolation stables
Isolation stables
The Irish Horse Welfare Trust has 6 outside stables which are used for isolation purposes.  There is also one stable located outside of the main yard and some wooden stables alongside the grass paddock adjoining the yard.  All equines are isolated on admission for disease control purposes and all are screened for strangles. This is where...
IHWT Barn
IHWT Barn
The main barn is an American style barn with 14 stables.  Each stable has rubber matting and automatic water feeders.  Horses are very happy in this barn as there is always lots of activity happening and they can see each other.  Straw is the bedding used at the IHWT and both hay and haylege are...

Mission Statement

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:

  • Information concerning our work. We ask supporters to put their requests in writing.
  • Confidentiality and a choice as to whether you wish to receive further information from the IHWT.
  • Promote high levels of accountability and transparency for fundraising events.
  • Provide clarity and assurances to donors and prospective donors who support the IHWT
  • Improve the way charities in Ireland raise their funds

Governance Practice

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.

Charities Regulatory Authority

The IHWT is registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) Registered Charity Number 20048235.

See https://www.charitiesregister.ie/

Constitution

Please click here for a copy of IHWT Charity Constitution

Fundraising

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

IHWT Board of Directors

Members of the board of directors as follows:

Directors: 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.

Financial Information

Financial Report 2016

Financial Report 2015

Accounts 2017

Accounts 2018

Our Goals

We are 100% dedicated to our primary goals

Rescue 100%
Rehabilitation 100%
Rehoming 100%
Racehorses 100%
Education 100%

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    Registered Charity Number 20048235, Registered Company Number 343407, CHY 14634
    IHWT Equine Centre, Ballinamona, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Co Wicklow, Y14 D283, Ireland
    Tel: 00 353 402 30773 Email: info@ihwt.ie
    Directors: Margaret McMullin, Claire Owens, Michael Doyle, Mary Fanning McCormack.
    Patron: Jessica Harrington
    Charity Registration number 20048235. Registered Address: Ballinamona, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Co Wicklow
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