The Horse Trust
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.
Key takeaways
- The Horse Trust's grant-giving arm funds ethically approved, non-invasive equine research, and it has said it is moving away from new individual research projects towards its HorseLife platform, so a charity seeking general welfare or service funding would not match its stated focus.
- It accepts applications by invitation only and does not take unsolicited requests, so check whether it wishes to hear from you before sending a proposal.
- Its stated eligibility centres on UK veterinary schools, with other universities and institutions considered, so organisations outside those groups should confirm this first.
- Where an application is invited, it is staged: preliminary applications go to the Science and Ethics Committee, a shortlist is invited to full applications, which are peer reviewed and ranked before trustees decide, and applicants must show benefits to the UK equine population and how they will share them with horse owners and keepers.
- The Pump Priming Grant is stated at up to £20,000, but no typical grant size is stated, so treat that figure as the most stated for that programme only.
Overview
The Horse Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 231748).
The Horse Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 231748) that exists to enhance and improve the quality of life of equines in the UK. Its three main strategic aims are Sanctuary, Scientific Research and Knowledge and Skills. Its grant-giving arm funds ethically approved, non-invasive research of the highest scientific standard, and it has awarded over £25 million for research projects, clinical residencies, capital buildings and equipment for vet schools and other institutions. It awarded £101,597 in grants in its most recent annual report.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The Horse Trust’s grant-giving arm funds ethically approved, non-invasive research of a high scientific standard into veterinary treatment, optimal horse care, and the prevention of disease and suffering. It has stated that it is refocusing its research away from funding new, individual research projects and toward its HorseLife platform. It accepts applications from UK veterinary schools and considers applications from other universities and institutions. Its focus is translating research outcomes into practical tools for horse owners and improving equine welfare and treatment in the UK and worldwide. It seeks active partnerships with successful applicants to share findings and develop and disseminate best practice.
Themes
- Equine health and welfare research
Geographic Focus
UK. Priority: London; Home Counties.
What they don't fund
- Funding new, individual research projects
How to apply
Applicants submit preliminary applications. The Science and Ethics Committee reviews them and invites a shortlist to submit full applications; full applications undergo peer review and ranking, after which trustees make funding decisions.
Who can apply:
- We accept grant applications from all UK veterinary schools and will consider applications from other universities and institutions.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Applicants need to show the intended benefits to the UK equine population and how they will communicate those benefits to horse owners, keepers and relevant professionals.
- The foundation seeks active partnerships with successful applicants to share outcomes and develop and disseminate best practice.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Horse Trust.
Grants
The largest grants to organisations in this funder’s latest annual report:
- Royal Veterinary College£34,909year to 31 December 2025
- University of Liverpool£33,094year to 31 December 2025
- University of Edinburgh£14,000year to 31 December 2025
- University of Nottingham£13,091year to 31 December 2025
Grant examples taken from the funder’s filed accounts. Not included above: 1 line covering other, unnamed recipients (£6,503).
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2021 | £1,900,272 | £4,118,243 | £418,228 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £2,371,432 | £3,913,772 | £482,039 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £3,150,968 | £3,906,231 | £454,212 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £2,744,682 | £4,142,201 | £404,661 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
| year to 31 December 2025 | £2,312,225 | £3,981,008 | £101,597 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
Grants paid stayed within income across the 5 years shown.
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2021; year to 31 December 2022; year to 31 December 2023; year to 31 December 2024: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2025: grants awarded in the year, as reported in the accounts.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- horsetrust.org.uk
- horsetrust.org.uk/research-and-grants · read on 30 October 2026
- horsetrust.org.uk/contact-us · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 December 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to The Horse Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- 01494 488464source
- info@horsetrust.org.uksource
- The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, HP27 0PPsource
- horsetrust.org.uk
- Contact form
Applying to The Horse Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- 01494 488464source
- info@horsetrust.org.uksource
- The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, HP27 0PPsource
- horsetrust.org.uk
- Contact form