However some have been forced to rehome their horses, the RSPCA took in 444 horses last year – a 15pc increase from the year before.
At the time, a spokesman said: “This year we rehomed 82 horses, which is a drop of more than 50pc on last year, which is a trend across the rehoming sector as the cost of living takes its toll”.
Bransby Horses, a rehoming charity in Lincoln, told specialist publication Horse and Hound, that “this winter has hit the equine community hard,” and expected an increase in calls for support and welfare in 2024.
A cost of living report published by the National Equine Welfare Council found that almost one in five horse owners were “having to consider difficult decisions such as selling their horse, sharing their horse or, very sadly, having to euthanise their horse because of rising costs”.
The council has yet to publish its findings this year, but Su Selve, of member charity World Horse Welfare, said rising mortgage rates were becoming an issue for equestrians.
She said: “One in five horse owners this year said they had encountered difficulty with their horse-keeping budget because of increased mortgage payments – and more than half said higher energy bills had posed an unexpected challenge.
“As a charity, we are seeing an increase in people contacting us for advice because they are struggling to cope financially.”
It comes as a report by loan agency Plend found even high-earners are struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis, with one in four workers earning at least £60,000 a year admitting to borrowing money to meet basic needs. One in 10 said they had considered loan sharks to access credit and pay bills, Plend’s report found.
Horse rehoming charity Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines (SAFE) said older horses were more likely to be rehomed, as “they likely have medical problems that are costly.”
Ms Hopper said: “Horses live to a good old age. But when a horse needs major treatment, do you pay the bill or make a difficult decision? It’s a tough call, but it does happen.”
Alison Stratford, SAFE’s founder and chair trustee, said: “It’s our goal to help abandoned, neglected horses and unfortunately we have seen an increase recently in horse owners seeking re-home options due to the cost of living crisis.
“The underlying factor is that some equestrians simply can’t afford the ever-increasing costs that come with owning a horse.”