A group of horses who were rescued by World Horse Welfare and saved from being illegally smuggled out of Dover last February are all progressing well. Several of them have already been rehomed, while seven are seeking their forever homes.

Known as the ‘Dover 26’, they were a group of “frightened and vulnerable” young colts, fillies, mares and geldings who were crammed onto a transporter to be exported to Europe. Many of them had health issues and only 19 of them had the necessary paperwork for the journey. Four were in such poor health they had to be put down. 

At World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk, the group received specialist care and tailored rehabilitation plans to aid their recovery.  

New arrivals

Five of the Dover 26 mares were pregnant and four foals — Pompey, Montana, Cole, and Emily — were subsequently born at the centre. Another foal sadly did not survive. The foals have been weaned and are currently enjoying life in the centre’s paddocks.

“I remember so clearly the arrival of the ‘Dover 26’. They were so frightened and they’d clearly all been through a harrowing experience,” said Lizzie Bird, assistant farm manager at Hall Farm, at the time.

“Soon after they arrived, we found that the group was carrying Equine Influenza and the outbreak forced the farm to go into lockdown while the horses were treated. 

“Since then, we have worked hard to build their trust in people with careful handling and dedicated care.” 

Looking for new homes

Nine of the group have been rehomed and another seven are currently available for rehoming. Their roles range from project pony to non-ridden companion. 

The dams of the foals will be assessed for rehoming later this year, as will the mare whose foal did not survive.   

“With all of the horses and ponies, our biggest challenge has been not having a medical history for any of them or knowing what their experience was before coming into our care,” said a spokesperson for World Horse Welfare. 

“However, thanks to our amazing team at Hall Farm we are confident the rest of the group will be rehomed once they have completed their rehabilitation.  

“The case of the Dover 26 highlights the harsh realities faced by the thousands of animals caught up in the illegal trade of horses. 

“We continue to share the information and evidence that our researchers have gained over the years about this trade with UK policy makers to ensure policies and laws are progressed in the UK that will put an end to horse smuggling.”

Illegal trade

At the time of the Dover 26 rescue last year, the UK Government’s Animal Welfare (Live Exports) Bill was progressing through the House of Lords.

World Horse Welfare said the case highlighted the illegal trade in horses and why secondary legislation and robust enforcement and equine traceability were “vital” to protect British horses and ponies from an unknown fate.

Yesterday, Your Horse reported the harrowing story of a three-year-old ex-racehorse trampled while travelling in an overloaded lorry. The young mare suffered a fractured skull and severe wounds while travelling from Ireland to Europe for slaughter.

Main image © World Horse Welfare. 

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