British Horse Society facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | BHS |
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| Founded | 5 November 1947 |
| Type | Charitable organisation |
| Registration no. | England and Wales: 210504 Scotland: SC038516 |
| Focus | Equine |
| Location |
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Area served
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United Kingdom |
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Members
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Over 110,000 |
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Key people
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James Hick (CEO), Martin Clunes (President) |
| Publication | British Horse magazine |
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Employees
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87 (average full-time equivalent) (2018) |
The British Horse Society (BHS) is a big charity in the United Kingdom that helps horses and people who love them. It's a membership group, meaning people join to support its work. The BHS wants to be a strong voice for horses and riders. They spread awareness through support, training, and education.
With over 110,000 members, plus another 34,000 through British Riding Clubs, it's the largest horse-related group in the UK. The BHS is also part of the British Equestrian Federation, which brings together many horse organisations.
Contents
A Look Back: The BHS Story
The BHS started in 1947. It was formed when two older groups, the Institute of the Horse and Pony Club, and the National Horse Association of Great Britain, joined together. Mary Colvin was the very first president of the BHS.
What Does the BHS Aim to Do?
The main goals of the BHS are:
- To teach people about horses, how to ride safely, and how to care for them.
- To help horses live healthy, happy lives and be well-cared for.
- To encourage people to enjoy horse riding and activities.
- To protect horses from cruelty and neglect. They also help horses that need care or rescue.
- To work to keep and create safe paths and trails for horse riders and drivers. These are often called bridleways.
British Riding Clubs: Fun with Horses!
The British Riding Clubs (BRC) joined forces with the BHS over 50 years ago. Many riding clubs wanted to be connected to the BHS but still run their own activities.
Since then, the BRC has grown a lot! There are now over 440 clubs and 50 riding centres. More than 34,000 members are part of these clubs. Anyone can join a riding club, whether they ride for fun or like to compete.
BRC helps people ride, compete, and train together. They have national competitions, training sessions, and social events. BRC areas organise many activities for their members. Championships are even held at famous events like the Royal Windsor Horse Show and the Royal International Horse Show.
Who Leads the BHS?
The current president of the BHS is Martin Clunes, a well-known actor. The society also has important royal connections. The late Queen Elizabeth II was their patron, and Princess Anne is the vice patron.
What the BHS Does
Learning and Training with Horses
The BHS has a great system for learning about horses and riding. They offer different levels of qualifications. For example, the Horse Owner's Certificates are for people who own horses for fun. The Stages exams can lead to jobs as riding instructors or grooms.
The BHS also keeps a list of approved professional coaches. These coaches teach people about horses in the UK and around the world.
Paths and Trails for Riders
The BHS has a special team that works to improve the network of bridleways (paths for horses) across England, Scotland, and Wales. They have even created a 'National Bridleroute Network'. These are long-distance routes for horse riders, using bridleways, byways, and small roads.
The BHS talks with the government about new laws and plans. They work hard to make sure horse riders have safe places to ride.
Staying Safe with Horses
The BHS Safety Department works to make sure horses and riders stay safe. They campaign for better and safer conditions for riders on roads in Britain.
Teaching drivers and riders about road safety is very important. More than 4,000 people take the Riding and Road Safety test every year. This test helps riders learn how to be safe on the road and lower risks.
The BHS also has a website, www.horseaccidents.org.uk. Here, people can report safety problems or accidents. The information they collect helps them ask for better conditions for horse riders. For example, reports about dog attacks helped change laws about dangerous dogs.
Caring for Horses
The BHS Welfare team tries to stop cruelty and neglect by teaching people. They have volunteers who help horses in need. These volunteers give advice and guidance to horse owners.
The welfare team also talks to the government about horse welfare issues. They run campaigns, like the Ragwort Awareness Campaign, to teach people about dangerous plants. They also encourage responsible breeding through their 'Think Before You Breed' campaign. They work with other animal welfare groups and help rehome horses.
To help pay for their work, BHS Welfare organises special Challenge Rides. These rides take place in amazing places like Peru, Jordan, and Iceland.
Big Achievements
Dead Slow Campaign
In March 2016, the BHS started its "Dead Slow" campaign. This campaign encourages drivers to slow down to 15 mph (about 24 km/h) and give horses lots of space when they pass them on the road.
This campaign was shown on BBC TV and radio. It was even featured on petrol pumps across the UK. A Member of Parliament, Liz Saville-Roberts, also brought it up in Parliament.
The BHS Headquarters
In 2010, the BHS got a new, modern, and eco-friendly headquarters. It's located in Abbey Park in Warwickshire. The building was designed to have a very small impact on the natural land around it.
The building is only one storey tall and wraps around a very old oak tree. It's made from natural stone and wood. The roof is a special "green roof" covered with plants. This design helps the building blend into the countryside. It also helps keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter.
What is a Green Roof?
The 2200 square metre green roof took about three weeks to put in. It has special layers for drainage and a blanket of plants called sedum. This green roof helps insulate the building, making it more energy-efficient. Studies show that a thick layer of plants on a roof can make it up to 60% more efficient! It also helps the building look like part of the natural landscape.
Hall of Fame
The The British Horse Society Equestrian Hall of Fame celebrates people who have made amazing contributions to the world of horses and riding.
