Redwings Horse Sanctuary has 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 and prevent behaviour and training problems in pets, including horses, and who 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 Redwings is 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. Redwings is also the first equine charity to have been chosen as our charity of the year.”
Donna Skinsley, a Full Member of the APBC and ABTC Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor 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.
“We need to catch up with the advances already seen in canine behaviour, training and welfare, and supporting Redwings allows us to progress this work.”
Redwings believes a horse’s psychological wellbeing is just as important as their physical health. The charity therefore strives to be leaders in ethical training techniques for their horses in the Sanctuary and Redwings is the only horse charity in the UK to have its own dedicated Behaviour Centre and trainers.
Redwings’ decades of rescuing and rehabilitating semi-feral, abandoned and abused equines have given their team a real understanding of how they can help horses trust humans again and go on to enjoy happy lives at the Sanctuary or in loving homes through their rehoming programme.
Sarah Hallsworth, Equine Behaviour Manager, working with Pippin
Sarah Hallsworth, Equine Behaviour Manager said, “I’m thrilled we have been awarded charity of the year by APBC.
“I’m proud to work with such inspiring animals every day and I feel incredibly 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 both inside and outside the Sanctuary.”
