Posted: 13th May 2025 | Back to news feed
A West Sussex-based equine charity is this month celebrating successfully rehabilitating 100 lame horses over the past three years. Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre in Slinfold looks after each horse in its care for anything from two to three months to longer, as they work to resolve a myriad of complex issues such as arthritis, laminitis, canker, tendon and ligament injuries.
- 100 lame horses successfully treated at Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre
- Horse owners urged to remain vigilant to symptoms of early onset lameness
Mary Frances, Chief Executive, has spent the past 40 years working with horses, 19 of which have been spent heading up the charity. She says: “We work extremely closely with both the horse and its owner to restore each horse to full soundness and ensure the improvement is maintained once they leave our centre.
“On any one week, we can have up to 25 lame horses under our care. We rely on proven, evidence-based solutions, where guesswork and ‘shoulder-shrugging’ have no place. Too many horses are unnecessarily living with lameness and pain, simply because not enough time is spent fully investigating the cause.”
The charity is urging horse owners to stay alert and to speak up with confidence and seek help if they feel small changes in their horses that could signify the onset of lameness or pain and discomfort, including:
- A shortness in stride
- A reluctance to move forwards
- Change in behaviour
- Reluctance to be tacked up
- Becoming difficult with the farrier
The most recent success story is a nine-year-old mare named Rita, who was suffering from severe canker in all four feet, causing immense pain with every step. The condition was so extreme that, prior to arriving at Moorcroft, euthanasia had been suggested to her owner as a possible option.
“Rita is a prime example of a horse suffering from a condition that many people know little about, making treatment options sparse and difficult to find. In worst-case scenarios, euthanasia can be mentioned, but I believe every horse deserves the chance at rehabilitation and a second chance at life,” says Mary.
Following four months of intensive, methodical, twice-daily treatment, Rita now has pain-free feet and is back doing gentle, ridden work.
The charity, which depends on donations to continue its vital work, is calling for increased awareness about conditions such as canker to prevent more horses from suffering and living in unnecessary pain. The charity boasts a dedicated team, including a full-time physiotherapist and a specialist lameness vet who attends the centre every week, all working to create a healing, calm and a safe environment for all horses.
Mary adds: “Many horses can become lame but, understandably, the rider often cannot feel exactly where the problem is and this can continue for months on end. Recognising there is a potential issue and dealing with it promptly gives each horse the best possible chance at recovery and prevents further unnecessary breakdown happening. We pride ourselves on offering a sympathetic and constructive approach to each horse, no matter their condition.”
Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre can provide schooling and rehabilitation for any length of time, for all breeds of horses, whether as a result of lameness, time-off, or following surgery. The charity also runs educational courses for both horse owners and professionals in the equine industry, including long reining courses and equine massage.
www.moorcroftracehorse.org.uk/
The Equestrian Index newsfeed is compiled from articles submitted by advertising members and expresses the opinions of those members. Watsons Directories Ltd shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies or mis-statements therein.