The British Horse Society provides welfare services to horses and advice for owners. It campaigns and lobbies about key equestrian issues on behalf of horses and riders and offers the world's leading equestrian qualifications and approvals system. It is the UK's largest and most influential equestrian charity and:

• Protects and promotes the interests of all horses and those who care about them, including the 3.5 million people in the UK who ride or who drive a horse-drawn carriage
• Is supported by over 89,000 members
• Each year attends over 2,000 welfare cases, protecting 8,000 horses from abuse and neglect
• Adds nearly 1,000km of new routes to the National Equestrian Route Network and reacts to over 3,500 threats to equestrian access
• Provides the best education, centres and instruction with over 3,000 professionals

The BHS's vision for the future is a world in which the welfare of horses is universally respected and protected, and in which all those who ride, drive or work with horses can do so safely, enjoyably and in a manner which displays the highest degree of personal competence.

This is an ambitious goal, and not one that will be reached overnight, but the BHS believes it is achievable and continues to make substantial progress towards it. Obviously, with so many factors impacting horse and rider welfare and safety the BHS needs to have a multi-faceted approach to its work.

The BHS could not achieve its aims without the dedication and hard work of volunteers. BHS Safety Officers strive to achieve safer conditions for all equines and those involved in their care and use, the Access and Bridleways Officers work tirelessly to defend, extend and promote safe, easily accessible off-road riding for everyone, and the team of volunteer Welfare Officers investigate reported welfare concerns and act as an advice point for all horse owners, thereby improving the lives of thousands of horses.

For more information or to see how you can get involved visit www.bhs.org.uk