The
International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) announces that from today (it is changing its name to World Horse
Welfare.
It
had long been felt by many that the name ‘International League for the Protection of Horses’ or ‘ILPH’
no longer sufficiently reflects the breadth and depth of the charity’s activities and its desire to focus its efforts
on the root causes, as well as the effects, of horse cruelty. In addition, it was felt that the word ‘League’
was outdated, that the name was cumbersome and that it needs to be clearer and sharper to engage with new and wider audiences.
The decision followed a strategic review and a year long consultation with the charity’s supporters and staff. The Trustees
have unanimously agreed the change.
The
charity’s vision of ‘A world where the horse is used but never abused’ remains at the heart of its philosophy,
which is reflected in today’s publication of a charity roadmap that affirms the strategic framework for its three areas
of activity: UK Welfare, Campaigns and International Training.
The
roadmap is founded on the achievements of the ILPH over the past 81 years; it seeks to build on these successes, but acknowledges
the path the charity has increasingly been taking in recent years, and where it intends to go over the next decade. In practice
this means:
For
UK Welfare:
Ü Establishing a way to define the major causes of horse welfare abuse
in the UK and to propose practical solutions.
Ü Focusing on education as a means to tackle the known major causes of
horse welfare problems, such as horse obesity.
Ü Maintaining the charity’s position as the premier organisation for the recovery,
rehabilitation and rehoming of horses, through its network of Field Officers, and Recovery and Rehabilitation Centres.
For
International Training:
Ü Developing a more regional outlook to the charity’s training projects,
like its current focus on Central America and Southern Africa, to enable it to maximise the use of native trainers on all
its courses.
Ü Establishing a network of affiliates in all countries where it works,
to ensure it has a practical link to these countries after it has moved on.
Ü Expanding its projects to include associated skills to make a lasting difference, such
as business training.
For
Campaigning:
Ü Completing a job that was the charity’s founding campaign, namely
the abolition of long distance transportation of horses for slaughter in Europe
Ü Integrating Campaigns further into its UK Welfare and International Training
Operations in order to provide comprehensive solutions for the challenges to horse welfare; as is happening with the charity’s
current project in Romania
Ü Campaigning to change policy, practice and attitudes to promote the charity’s vision
for a world where horses are used but never abused.
The
new name, and the over-arching roadmap, is a step change in the life of the charity; it develops the charity’s outlook
from an organisation that was once primarily focused around the ‘protection’ of the individual horse to one that
supports the ‘welfare’ of many.
Roly
Owers, Chief Executive, said:
“We
are entering a new chapter in the proud history of our charity. The roadmap sets the framework for a fresh, more focused approach
to our work, so that we can have an even greater impact on horse welfare, both in the UK and overseas. We must continue to strive to make clear the importance of
what we do to as many people as possible, of all ages. Our new name will help us to raise our profile, it better reflects
what we are and our aspirations, and is more meaningful to those who have not yet heard of us.”
Pippa
Funnell, a recently appointed Trustee said:
"As
a dedicated supporter of the ILPH, I am delighted to see the efforts the charity is making to engage with audiences in, and
outside, the horse world. The roadmap clearly lays out the future direction of a charity which has done so much for horses
here, and overseas, for over 80 years. We must all do as much as we can to support them.”
Christopher
Hall, Chairman, said:
“When
I became Chairman I decided that changing our name, a subject we have debated for many years, was a nettle which finally needed
to be grasped. There are fond associations with the name ILPH, which I absolutely recognise, but it has become a hindrance
rather than a help
to
us. Our new name ‘World Horse Welfare’ is a good description of the involvement between man and horse and represents,
much better, our work here in the UK,
and internationally.”
Sir
Peter O’Sullevan, Vice President said:
“I
congratulate the charity for taking this important step forward. Welfare is the inspiration behind the ILPH and I am delighted
that it appears in the new name.”
