THE GREATWOOD CHARITY
The Greatwood Charity was founded in 1990 and is based in Wiltshire, UK, is dedicated to the welfare of retired racehorses and the education of children, young people, and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). As the longest-standing racehorse welfare charity in the UK, Greatwood rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes former racehorses that may have faced neglect or mistreatment, providing them with care and new purposes. It was the first organization to use these horses in Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) to educate disadvantaged individuals, starting in 2006.
Greatwood’s innovative educational programs, accredited by Wiltshire Council, serve those aged 5–24 and adults with cognitive, physical, emotional, or social challenges. Through interactions with ex-racehorses, participants develop life skills, emotional literacy, and confidence in a nurturing environment. Programs like Horse Power and the Sir Peter O’Sullevan H.O.P.E™ focus on emotional wellbeing, mindfulness, and inclusion, helping learners overcome barriers and enhance social mobility. The charity also offers accredited courses, such as the Get Going program, to support young adults entering the equine industry or further education.
Caring for 40–60 horses annually costs over £250,000, while the charity’s total operations require over £500,000 each year, funded through donations and support. Greatwood’s unique “Cycle of Rehabilitation and Change” fosters mutual healing between horses and people, creating lasting impacts for both.
