[6] Though a partner in his father's businesses, he did not take a very active role due to ill health, and devoted himself to philanthropic work.
He was a supporter of the Church Reform Union, part of the wider movement of Muscular Christianity, which stressed active social engagement.
[8] Horsfall was also a strong supporter of the Settlement movement, which sought to place the educated middle classes in socially deprived areas.
Along with T. R. Marr, Horsfall set up the Citizens' Association for the Improvement of the Unwholesome Dwellings and Surroundings of the People, to eliminate slum housing.
[7] In 1900, Horsfall joined with Henry Birchenough to instigate the Patriotic Association of Macclesfield, which was envisaged as a feeder for the local Volunteer Force.
In addition, Horsfall took an interest in improving the air quality of Manchester which, as the first industrial city, left much to be desired.
His extensive travels in Europe reinforced this desire for change as he was able to contrast his dingy, smoke-laden home, where even vegetation in the new municipal parks struggled to survive, with the much cleaner and appealing cities that he visited.