BURFORD — More horse owners are coming under financial strain as the cost of caring for animals rises, with the Blue Cross reporting a marked increase in horses being handed over because their keepers can no longer afford them.
The charity’s centre in Burford, Oxfordshire, says this year’s dry weather has made the problem worse by reducing grass growth and pushing up the price of hay and other feed. It is currently taking in 20 to 30 horses a month.
The Blue Cross says it has seen a 160% surge in relinquished horses in recent years, and staff are expecting more enquiries as household budgets remain tight.
Dry weather and feed costs deepen the pressure on horse owners
Admissions coordinator Freya Long said the lack of rain has left fields short of grass and reduced the amount of hay available for owners to buy. She said that has coincided with wider cost-of-living pressures, leaving more people worried about whether they can keep their horses properly fed.
The charity says the problem is not just the price of food. Looking after a horse also means paying for veterinary care, vaccinations, worming treatment and visits from the farrier, all of which are part of routine welfare.
Blue Cross horse centre manager Vicki Alford said those bills quickly mount up. She said the charity is hearing from people who no longer believe they can financially care for their animals, even when they want to keep them.
Charity says owners are waiting too long before asking for help
The Blue Cross is urging owners to come forward before money problems begin to affect the welfare of their animals. Staff say early contact can make it easier to find support and avoid a situation where a horse’s care deteriorates.
Alford said the charity wants people to contact them before matters reach a critical point. She said: “Please come to us. We are here to help and we will not judge.”
The message from the centre is that struggling owners should seek help sooner rather than later, particularly if rising feed costs, lack of grazing or veterinary bills are becoming unmanageable.
RSPCA says equine welfare problems have changed in recent years
The Blue Cross’s warning comes after the RSPCA said in 2025 that the nature of the equine crisis had shifted away from abandonment and towards more general welfare issues.
Its research pointed to several linked problems, including a lack of practical knowledge, space for turn-out and grazing, and proper planning for horses’ lifetime care. The charity said rising living costs have intensified those pressures over recent years.
That wider picture helps explain why welfare organisations are now seeing more owners struggle to keep horses healthy and properly cared for, even when the animals are not being deliberately abandoned.
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