15 February 2017

Redwings chosen as APBC's charity of the year

We are thrilled to have been chosen by the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) as their charity of the year 2017.

The APBC is a network of experienced and qualified pet behaviour counsellors who treat behaviour problems in pets, including horses. They are regulated under the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC).

The network’s aim is to help raise the standards of behaviour counselling and the welfare of pets in the UK – a subject we are equally passionate about.

Rosie Barclay, APBC Chair, said: “We are delighted that Redwings was our members' choice for our charity of the year 2017. We have already supported dog, cat and rabbit charities, and this year our members voted for Redwings whose ethics match our own in regard to the behaviour and welfare of horses.”

Donna Skinsley, a Full Member of the APBC and Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), added: “It is very timely that we have Redwings as our chosen charity of the year. ‘Why behaviour matters’ is a shared viewpoint and collectively we feel we can help the equine industry to see that this piece of the jigsaw puzzle plays such a vital role if ever we want to complete the whole picture for our horses.”

Redwings believe a horse’s psychological wellbeing is just as important as their physical health.

We strive to be leaders in ethical training techniques for our horses and Redwings is the only horse charity in the UK to have its own dedicated Behaviour Centre. Our team of trainers are dedicated to ethical training of rescued horses, as well as ensuring the consistent handling of residents across our Sanctuary.

Our decades of rescuing and rehabilitating semi-feral, abandoned and abused equines has given us a real understanding of how we can help horses trust humans again and go on to enjoy happy lives at the Sanctuary or in loving Guardian homes.

Sarah Hallsworth, Equine Behaviour Manager, said: “I’m proud to work with such inspiring animals every day. I feel lucky to see horses who have come from situations of fear and neglect go on to develop positive associations with humans.

“Every horse at Redwings has their own unique rehabilitation story and we hope our training and management prepare them for a happy life with humans inside and outside of the Sanctuary.”

This acknowledgement from the APBC is a fantastic recognition of the emphasis we place on fear-free training. We hope to continue to learn and improve with the evidence from this ethical training practise and what we learn from each horse we rescue

Find out more about our behaviour work by clicking here.