Every May 16th is observed as Horse Rescue Day—a day dedicated to rescuing these majestic animals from abuse and neglect. It also seeks to raise public awareness about how horses are mistreated so that individuals can take action against animal abuse.

Horses can live up to three decades and can be rather expensive to care for properly, which is why so many of them end up needing to be rescued. People acquire horses without considering their financial needs, space, or patience to care for them, and that’s when a third party has to step in to save them.

The History Of Horse Rescue Day

Up until the 16th and 17th centuries, the welfare of horses wasn’t given much thought in the West. While horses have always been revered in Islamic cultures throughout history, in Europe, horses were seen as nothing more than a commodity.

Sure, they were expensive, so people didn’t want them to die prematurely and ruin their investment, but they also weren’t seen as creatures that needed love and care. This perspective changed over the years, but even so, progress toward protecting horses has been slow.

There are several organizations working hard to ensure that horses are cared for and, when necessary, are saved from cruelty, neglect, and abuse. One such organization is the RSPCA Australia, the organization that created Horse Rescue Day.

They created this holiday to protect and save horses from deplorable conditions, and this day will continue to serve as an important tool for this goal as long as the organization is around.

Observing Horse Rescue Day

Horse Rescue Day is a holiday that is not only observed by animal welfare organizations but also a day that can be observed by individuals. In fact, it can be observed by anyone who cares for horses and wants to ensure they’re protected.

People can determine for themselves what level of participation they can engage in on this day. Some people will want to donate money to horse welfare organizations such as the RSPCA, while others may be content with spreading the word about this holiday using the hashtag #HorseRescueDay.

People who have the resources, time, and space can take the time to adopt a horse that needs a home. No matter how a person celebrates this holiday, there is something they can do to better the plight of thousands of horses around the world. Together, we can all help the horses that need our assistance. All that we have to do is care.