Bridging the gap
For too long, the standard for equine welfare has been reactive. Most intervention occurs only when a horse has reached a critical stage of neglect—when the ribs are showing, the hooves are overgrown, and the damage is often deep.
Equine Welfare Victoria was founded because we believe that waiting for a crisis is waiting too long.
Our story
Equine Welfare Victoria is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of horses through education, early support and compassionate care. We focus on preventing neglect and suffering by promoting responsible ownership, best-practice welfare and informed decision-making within the community.
Where prevention is not possible, we provide rescue, rehabilitation and ongoing care, ensuring each horse’s physical and emotional wellbeing is prioritised. Through collaboration, education and ethical rehoming, we work to create lasting, positive outcomes for horses and the people who care for them.
The Missing Link: Intervention and Prevention
While there are many incredible organisations dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation, there is a significant gap in the welfare space: the space between ‘doing fine’ and ‘dire straits.’
Equine Welfare Victoria exists to fill that gap through two core pillars:
Proactive Intervention: Identifying at-risk situations before they escalate. By stepping in early with resources, advice, and support, we can keep horses in healthy environments and prevent the trauma of total neglect.
Preventative Education: We aim to minimize the dismal states horses are often found in by addressing the root causes—lack of knowledge, financial shifts, or physical inability to care for stock.
Our Philosophy
We don’t want to just pick up the pieces. We want to stop the pieces from breaking in the first place. Equine Welfare Victoria is built on the belief that a community-focused, preventative approach can significantly reduce the number of horses entering the rescue system.
MISSION STATEMENT
Equine Welfare Victoria adopts the Five Domains of Animal Welfare Model as the guiding framework for all its activities relating to horses. We committed to promoting positive welfare outcomes for horses by addressing their nutritional needs, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental wellbeing.
Education, prevention and early intervention are prioritised to reduce the risk of suffering wherever possible. Where rescue and rehabilitation are required, care is delivered in a manner that supports recovery, dignity and long-term quality of life. All programs, decisions and partnerships of the Association are undertaken with regard to these principles.
