Leading With Her Whole Heart…

When a young Sarah Arthur first took on her new role at HAPPA (The Horse and Pony Protection Association) as a young groom in 2004, she could have no idea that two decades later she would be leading the very organisation which shaped her career – and much of her life.

Brought up in Burnley, Sarah’s love of horses and all things equine began almost as soon as she could walk. She recalls with a smile, “I was so lucky to grow up around ponies. They taught me patience, empathy and instilled a deep respect for communication – valuable lessons which still guide me every single day.”

After completing a Diploma and Higher National Certificate in Equine Studies in Cheltenham and after a brief spell running a haunted pub, Sarah’s fate brought her back home to the north, and to HAPPA, where she found a sanctuary in every sense of the word – a quiet refuge for neglected and unwanted horses, and a community of people dedicated to their welfare.

In the early 2000s, HAPPA was a traditional horse sanctuary, with horses which came into their care often staying for the rest of their lives and being given safety and stability after years of mistreatment or neglect. But as Sarah worked her way up from groom to yard lead, Equine Manager, Operations Manager, and now CEO, she helped guide a fundamental shift in HAPPA’s mission – from traditional sanctuary to sustainable rehoming.

She reflects: “HAPPA will always be a place of safety, but now we’re focused on giving every horse a second chance for a full, enriched life with a loving family. The key is that every horse remains a HAPPA Horse for Life, which means that we never relinquish our duty of care throughout their whole lifetime – whether they’re rehomed or remain in our care, we stay part of their journey.”

“We never relinquish our duty of care throughout their whole lifetime ”

As Sarah is well placed to know, that sense of lifelong commitment is more vital than ever. With the rising cost of living and current economic uncertainty, abandonment and neglect cases have been steadily on the rise: “We’re seeing more people struggling to afford the costs of ownership. As a result, we are seeing a rising number of horses abandoned in desperate need of veterinary care and rehabilitation. We always urge anyone thinking of taking on a horse, who has the means and security to do so, to consider rehoming from a rescue centre first. There are so many incredible animals who so deserve another chance.”

Unfortunately, compassion comes at a high cost and running an operation of HAPPA’s scale is no mean feat. Due to rising rates, it costs more than £20,000 per week to keep things running.

“Horses have been my greatest teachers. They’ve taught me everything I know about leadership.”

Sarah continues: “We cover everything from feed, veterinary services, farriery, bedding, physio and chiropractor bills to insurance, utility, staff training, case prosecution and legal fees. People are often surprised when they hear the numbers, but caring for horses properly, especially those which have suffered trauma or neglect, requires expertise, time and endless resources.”

Thankfully, HAPPA’s work is powered by an equally big-hearted community. Many individuals choose to leave legacies to the charity in their wills – a gesture Sarah describes as both humbling and profound: “Those legacies reflect how deeply people connect with what we do. HAPPA is fundamentally a living legacy – a continuation of the compassion and love that the people of Burnley, Lancashire and further afield have shown for our horses across several generations.”

Under Sarah’s leadership, HAPPA has become more than a rescue centre. It’s a community, an education hub, and a shining example of what compassion in action looks like. From the locals who drop in for coffee at the visitor centre, to the families who rehome a horse and change both lives forever, it’s a place built on heart.

“It’s never been just about the horses, but more about what they bring out in us.”

For Sarah, leadership has been an evolution – one inspired not by boardrooms or textbooks, but by the very animals she takes responsibility for: “Horses have been my greatest teachers. They’ve taught me everything I know about leadership. You can’t force a horse to trust you – you earn it, with consistency and kindness. And that’s exactly how I try to lead my team.”

Her approach has shaped HAPPA’s culture into one which balances professionalism with empathy. Staff and volunteers are encouraged to see beyond behaviour and to look for the causes, not just the symptoms, of distress.

At the heart of HAPPA’s ethos is a simple but powerful principle – it’s the quality of life, not the longevity, that counts. For Sarah and her team, that means ensuring every horse – whether in their stables or out in a new home – lives a life of comfort, purpose, and dignity.

Today, HAPPA stands as both a haven and a hub. A place where education, welfare, and community come together. Under Sarah’s leadership, it has become a beacon for responsible ownership and compassionate rescue, and a proud example of how tradition can evolve without losing its heart.

As she looks back on her 20-year career, from groom to CEO, Sarah remains grounded in the values that first brought her down HAPPA’s beautiful winding lane: “It’s never been just about the horses, but more about what they bring out in us – kindness, resilience, and connection. That’s what HAPPA is really about. And that’s what keeps me inspired, every single day.”

NorthernLife Winter 26