About Us » History

In the past horses were a vital part of everyday life, pulling carts making deliveries, ploughing fields, working on the railways and in coal mines, pulling canal boats and of course, transporting people around the country.

1950's - Motorised vehicles were becoming more available and affordable and before long, horses were being replaced by these faster, lower maintenance, vehicles. Sadly the majority of horses were being sent to slaughter, even though many were still very young.

1952 - concerned about their plight, Mable Cocksedge arranged a public meeting to discuss the situation. A dozen people attended and by the end of the meeting, The Friends of Bristol Horses Society was founded to rescue working horses from slaughter and give them a happy retirement.

1953 - Marjorie Pelling and Madge Checkley joined the charity after reading an article about a rescued horse in their local paper. They dedicated their lives to the cause and ran the charity for 45 years.

Supporters worked tirelessly to raise funds with flag days, raffles, and bring and buy sales.

1960's - the Reverend Ian Murdoch, one of the society's founders, sold half of Staunton Manor Farm to the society for £2,500. This was a huge step forward as previously horses had been homed on odd pieces of land owned by members and supporters.

1966 - the charity had rescued almost 50 horses, ponies and donkeys and land was becoming limited again. Half of the horses were kept at Staunton Manor Farm, whilst the others were being grazed on rented land located wherever the charity could find it.

1978 - after much fundraising, the charity was given the chance to buy Keynes Farm which was right next door to Staunton Manor Farm and increased the landavailable to approximatly 160 acres.

2000 - Staunton Manor Farm was opened to the public as HorseWorld Visitor Centre and became so well known that the charity changed its name to HorseWorld

Today - the charity is responsible for up to 200 animals on site at any one time with a further 275 out at loving loan homes across the country.