RSPCA and World Horse Welfare alerted after concerns were raised for three equines kept at a stable yard.
Posted on 21/06/2019
Share
A Hampshire horse owner has been disqualified from keeping horses for five years, after a horse was found emaciated and two ponies had overgrown hooves.
The owner was found guilty of five charges in her absence in January 2019, and was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (17 June.)
Officers from World Horse Welfare contacted the RSPCA in May 2018, after receiving calls of concern from members of the public about the welfare of three horses kept at stables in Hursley.
RSPCA inspector Sharon Chrisp, who investigated, said:
“Members of the public had been in touch because they were so concerned about the animals’ overgrown hooves, and one horse in particular looked skinny. They were worried that nobody seemed to them to be visiting the horses regularly and caring for them.
“When I arrived and saw the horses I was shocked at their condition. The hooves on two of the ponies were overgrown, and the horse named Inca was so thin his hip bones and ribs were clearly visible.”
World Horse Welfare Field Officer Penny Baker who assisted on the case said:
“These horses had not received the care they needed for some time. The contrast between the emaciated horses and the obese one was startling, but each is just as damaging, and it just goes to show that neglect can cause suffering in many forms. I am pleased that Woody and Paddy have been successfully brought back to health and are enjoying the lives they deserve in new homes.”
The owner was found guilty of failing to provide adequate care to the three horses – Paddy, Inca and Woody – and also causing unnecessary suffering to Inca. Along with a disqualification order on owning equines for five years, she was given a community order with 10 rehabilitation days and ordered to pay £750 costs by Magistrates.
The horses, named Inca, Paddy and Woody, were rehabilitated and found new homes. After spending a year in his loving new home at the National Animal Welfare Trust, sadly Inca has since passed away.
Share
Topics
Related News
Charities combine strength for the benefit of horse welfare
Staff at Hall Farm and Penny Farm welcomed groups of new RSPCA recruits for training.
Smuggled Irish horses highlight urgent need for better protection of equines
Significant changes are needed to the current EU transport proposals if they are to be workable for the equine sector.
Recommended Blog Posts
The senior horse: nutrition in sickness and in health
Find out more about the key considerations when caring for older horses, whether in work or retired and whatever their health status.
Buena’s story – how our foals are cared for from birth to rehoming
Senior Groom Steph introduces lovely filly Buena and explains how the team care for foals from birth right through to finding them a loving home for youngster handling.
Why are so many of our horses rehomed as non-ridden companions?
We catch up with our Head of UK Support to find out more.
Enjoy reading stories like this?
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Sign me up now
