Access All Areas: World Horse Welfare's Claire Gordon

Hannah Lemieux spends the day with the chief field officer for H&H’s charity of the year, World Horse Welfare.

- Claire Gordon

WITH an average of 1,700 welfare cases investigated annually by World Horse Welfare, Claire Gordon’s role as chief field officer is a particularly busy one — especially with an 18-month-old daughter at home too.

Donning my wellies and waterproofs on a dreary morning, I discover first-hand the depths of Claire’s important role within the charity — it may be a job involving long hours and days dealing with difficult people, but the ultimate rewards outshine all of this.

I arrive early at Claire’s West Sussex home and it’s not long before we hop in the truck and make our way to the first welfare case, which involves the removal of two thoroughbreds.

“When I initially visit a reported concern, I always have an open mind. My aim is to help the owners, give advice and educate them — removing horses is always a last resort.

“I look at the horse’s body condition, its feet and its environment,” explains Claire, who has worked for the charity for seven years and manages a team of field officers.

“I also check if they have a water source and access to it, and if they have sufficient grazing.”

When we pull into the farm, I am expecting to be faced with a field of neglected horses. Instead, 14 thoroughbreds are turned out and, perhaps surprisingly, they are all in good condition, with rugs on and trimmed feet. This is not a neglect case as such — however, without World Horse Welfare’s assistance, it may have led to the horses suffering. Claire explains that the elderly owner lost use of the rented field and had been struggling to get access to the field to provide hay and water.

With no new grazing secured yet, the charity is helping her reduce horse numbers to relieve some pressure and Claire has negotiated access for both hay and water.