Horses' New Year's Feast

This short film shows animals at the Home Of Rest For Horses during the annual New Year feast at a charity event on Westcroft Farm in Cricklewood.

This short film shows animals at the Home Of Rest For Horses, a charity based on Westcroft Farm in Cricklewood. One is led past the stables, another nibbles the back of a woman’s coat – much to her surprise – and a third is shown walking up a ramp into a horse-drawn cart, possibly a horse ambulance. The Home Of Rest For Horses would open to the public every New Year’s Day, when visitors were encouraged to feed the animals treats.

The charity was founded in 1886 by Ann Lindo, who was inspired to help sick horses after reading Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty. Owners were encouraged to send their ill animals to the charity. The charity would supply a healthy animal in return while the first horse recovered. Horses were essential for many jobs and industries in London at this time. The Cricklewood site was opened in 1908 and could accommodate more than 80 horses. The charity moved to Borehamwood in 1934 and is now called The Horse Trust.