When emergencies occur involving horses, rapid access to veterinary expertise can be life‑saving. our Safer Horse Rescues (SHR) scheme ensures that emergency services can quickly find equine veterinary support during large‑animal rescues - improving outcomes for horses and helping protect everyone involved.
At the core of the scheme is the Safer Horse Rescues Practice Directory, a national listing of equine practices willing to assist emergency responders whenever a horse is trapped, distressed, or injured. By joining the directory, your practice becomes a crucial part of a coordinated nationwide effort to deliver timely, expert care in challenging rescue scenarios.
For practices already on the SHR list, we also provide the Emergency Rescue Fund to ensure that the attending practice is reimbursed for their time and care. If the owner of the horse cannot be identified or refuses to pay, listed practices can claim essential veterinary expenses, including time, mileage, and consumables. This ensures financial concerns never prevent vets from offering the urgent care that emergency situations demand.
Why your practice should sign up
- Make a meaningful difference: Your involvement ensures horses receive rapid, expert attention during high‑risk rescue operations.
- Support emergency services: Fire and rescue teams depend on the directory to locate experienced equine vets during time‑critical incidents.
- Know your costs are covered: As a listed SHR practice, you can access the Emergency Rescue Fund if rescue‑related expenses cannot be recovered.
- Demonstrate commitment to welfare: Participation highlights your dedication to equine welfare and strengthens the UK’s emergency response network.
By joining the Safer Horse Rescues scheme, your practice helps build a nationwide safety framework that protects horses in their most vulnerable moments.
Sign up today and play a vital role in delivering safer, more effective equine rescues across the UK.
Find out more and sign up