Horse Welfare Community Education Program

Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria (PHHWV) has been rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected horses for 44 years. With a steep increase in the demand for PHHWV services in recent years, there is an urgent need for community advocacy. This project will develop educational packages that: cover all aspects of caring for a horse, raise awareness of the expenses and long-term commitment involved, provide horse welfare advice, advocate the importance of reporting cases of abuse and neglect, and inform where the community can access support services. PHHWV will also develop a social media advocacy campaign and host community information forums.

Macedon Ranges Shire is home to one of the largest horse communities in Australia with an approximate $72 million equine industry across diverse equine disciplines. Educating the horse community on appropriate horse welfare will reduce the number of horses requiring rescue and unnecessary euthanasia. This project also aims to encourage our horse community to become directly involved and active in supporting horse welfare, rehabilitation and advocacy. In addition, through a social media campaign, we aim to educate the wider community on how to help and support horses at risk, so together we can prevent neglect or abuse.