Across the UK, horses are still being tethered on common land — tied by ropes or chains for hours, days, sometimes weeks and even months at a time — and the suffering this causes is too often ignored.

Close to where I live is an area of common land, surrounded by homes and busy roads we all use every day. Many of us are heartbroken and frustrated by the unacceptable conditions some horses and ponies are forced to endure there, like many areas of common land all around the UK, tethered and unable to roam, they are denied the freedom to move, graze naturally, or live anything resembling a decent life.

So, after much research and in an attempt to try to get support and garner interest in the awful plight of animals like these all over the UK, I beg you to read on and hopefully sign this petition so we can work towards bettering their lives and calling for change around this area of country life.

Tethered horses are denied the freedom to move naturally, socialise, or graze properly; they can be left standing in their own waste or on damp and muddy ground (which can cause serious damage to their skin, hooves and joints), exposed to extreme weather without shelter, constant car fumes and at risk of injury from entanglement, strangulation, or attacks from dogs and people.

Many receive minimal access to fresh water, only basic veterinary care, and inadequate nutrition. This imposed confinement restricts movement, leading to muscle deterioration, stress, frustration, and lasting physical and psychological harm.

This practice is not traditional stewardship — it is neglect disguised as management!

No longer will the reasoning of 'this is an age old practice, carried out by those before us for 100's of years', suffice.

It is stated by welfare organisations that " .... horses must have regular and lengthy periods of freedom to roam....", but this just doesnt happen; so many owners keep horses tethered for months on end, especially in the winter. Can you imagine!!?

In extreme cases reported by animal welfare organisations and in the press, horses found severely neglected have had to be euthanised because of painful conditions caused by poor care.

If tethering was just a temporary solution, fine, but many owners abuse the use of this practice and use it long-term. We believe if you dont have the land and facilities to properly care for ponies and horses, then DON'T ACQUIRE THEM!!!

This petition calls for an end to to long-term tethering of horses on common and public land, however, the aim is not to remove horses from the landscape. Instead, we are asking for a better system.

Our Goal:
To replace tethering with a managed grazing approach that:

• Keeps horses on the land
• Protects them from neglect
• Ensures someone is responsible for their care
• Reassures local communities that welfare standards are in place

The Next Steps: We are asking authorities and land managers to take:

- Introduce a grazing licence system so every horse has an accountable owner
- Require microchipping and identification for all grazing horses
- Set clear minimum welfare standards (water, shelter, feeding, safe grazing)
- Limit horse numbers to prevent overgrazing and starvation
- Require routine farrier and basic health care
- End long-term tethering as a grazing method
- Create a clear process for addressing neglect
- Work with animal welfare charities to support enforcement and education
 
Why This Matters
Without management, horses can fall into neglect.
Without accountability, no one is responsible.
Without standards, suffering continues.

This petition supports a solution that is:

✔ Humane
✔ Practical
✔ Fair to landowners
✔ Protective of the environment
✔ Reassuring to residents

 
What Success Looks Like
Horses grazing freely, not tied in one spot
Owners known and responsible
Welfare monitored
Land protected
Fewer emergency welfare interventions
This is not just a call to stop something harmful — it is a call to replace it with something better.

“Cruelty has no place on our common land — let’s show what our community stands for.”

For all the thousands of concerned locals who have to drive or walk past these poor creatures in all weathers, all over the UK, this is the time to act.

Sign this petition and share to as many friends, pages, groups and neighbours as you can, nationwide. Thank you x

NOTE:
Images in this petition show general examples of horse tethering and are for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to identify specific horses, owners, or cases.