THE HORSE TRUST
The Horse Trust exists to enhance and improve the quality of life of equines in the UK. In achieving these objectives The Trust undertakes three main strategic aims:Sanctuary - to provide sanctuary and respite care at The Home of Rest for Horses Scientific Research - to fund non-invasive research.Knowledge and Skills - to devise and deliver a broad spectrum of training courses.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £2.97m, which the trustees describe as approximately twelve months of operating expenditure. The group reported a net loss for the year of £530,689, driven by charitable activities expenditure exceeding incoming resources. Despite the loss, the charity maintains significant investment assets valued at over £11m and holds designated funds for future grants and capital projects.
What the accounts disclose
“one employee received remuneration in the range of £120,000 to £130,000” — page 31
“The General Fund is the operating reserves of the group and is set at approximately twelve months expenditure to ensure the flexibility to meet immediate plans.” — page 9
“At the year end 31 December 2024 there was a balance of £329,343 (2023: £305,018) owed from BARTA and £46,029 (2023: £38,393) was due from the Trading subsidiary to the Charity.” — page 42
“During the year, expenses were paid to four Trustees totalling £ 1,926 (2023: £793) for reimbursed travel and subsistence costs.” — page 42
“At the year end 31 December 2024 there was a balance of £329,343 (2023: £305,018) owed from BARTA and £46,029 (2023: £38,393) was due from the Trading subsidiary to the Charity.” — page 42
“During the year, expenses were paid to four Trustees totalling £ 1,926 (2023: £793) for reimbursed travel and subsistence costs.” — page 42
“The group has two wholly owned subsidiaries, The Horse Trust Trading Company Limited and British Animal Rescue and Trauma Association (BARTA).” — page 6
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £110,001 - £120,000 (FY2023) to £120,001 - £130,000 (FY2024).
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 00347417
- Trading subsidiary: THE HORSE TRUST TRADING COMPANY LIMITED Companies House 08614961
- Turnover: £125k
- Profit before tax: £18k
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £20k
- Balance due from Trading subsidiary: £46,029; Balance due from BARTA: £329,343
“The acquisition shown above represents the investment treated as a “gift” at the date of the charitable combination”
Company officers (Companies House)
- BURFORD, John, Professor not on trustee list
- JENNINGS, Michele Elizabeth on trustee list
- SOUTER, Juliet on trustee list
- ARCHER, Debbie, Professor on trustee list
- SLATER, Josh, Professor on trustee list
- ALLEN, Jeanette
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (19/11/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (19/11/2024)
Trustees
- Prof Josh Slaterchair
- Bronwen Jones
- David Cook
- Juliet Souter
- Michele Jennings
- PROFESSOR PETER CLEGG MRCVS
- Prof Debbie Archer
- Rupert Hugh Maxwell Neal
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £2.7m | £4.1m |
| 31/12/2023 | £3.2m | £3.9m |
| 31/12/2022 | £2.4m | £3.9m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.9m | £4.1m |
| 31/12/2020 | £2.1m | £3.3m |
Common questions
Is THE HORSE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £2.97m, which the trustees describe as approximately twelve months of operating expenditure. The group reported a net loss for the year of £530,689, driven by charitable activities expenditure exceeding incoming resources. Despite the loss, the charity maintains significant investment assets valued at over £11m and holds designated funds for future grants and capital projects. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Saffery LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE HORSE TRUST earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £120,001 - £130,000 band.
Who funds THE HORSE TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE HORSE TRUST as a grant recipient include THE SERTH AND GATES CHARITY, THE ROSE ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST CIO, SIR PETER O'SULLEVAN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE STRATTON NO2 CHARITABLE FUND, PETPLAN CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| MRS D M FRANCE-HAYHURST FOUNDATION | 3 | £15k |
| THE PETS AT HOME FOUNDATION | 2 | £140k |
| THE BERYL EVETTS AND ROBERT LUFF ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST LIMITED | 2 | £10k |
| KIDS IN KATHMANDU NEPAL | 1 | £30k |
| BETTY PHILLIPS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| THE WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £20k |
| JOHN JAMES BRISTOL FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
Charities like this
- HORSEWORLD TRUST
- HORSE RESCUE FUND
- THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
- BEAUFORT COTTAGE EDUCATIONAL TRUST
- THE MARE AND FOAL SANCTUARY
- SHY LOWEN HORSE AND PONY SANCTUARY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE HORSE TRUST | £2.7m | £120,001 - £130,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HORSEWORLD TRUST | £1.2m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 2 | below | 21.6% | no doubt |
| HORSE RESCUE FUND | £102k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST | £1.9m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BEAUFORT COTTAGE EDUCATIONAL TRUST | £215k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE MARE AND FOAL SANCTUARY | £6.0m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |