Horse rescue organisations take in animals that have experienced neglect, starvation, injury, or abandonment, and face unique challenges in rehabilitating horses for long-term welfare.
Horse rescue welfare involves managing the acute and chronic welfare consequences of prior neglect while building the physical and psychological resilience for long-term quality of life. The challenges are greater than for companion animal rescue because horses are large, complex animals with specific nutritional, social, and management needs that require specialist knowledge and facilities. Refeeding syndrome is a genuine risk that requires careful veterinary management. Psychological trauma from previous mishandling requires patient, skilled retraining using positive methods. Permanent sanctuary care for horses too damaged for rehoming is an important welfare provision that recognises horses' long lifespans and the limits of what rehabilitation can achieve.