RSPCA and World Horse Welfare alerted after concerns were raised for three equines kept at a stable yard.
Posted on 21/06/2019

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.
Topics
Related News

18 year old banned for two years after pony is found with horrific eye injury
An 18 year old man from Guildford has been banned from keeping horses for two years after he pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment to a pony with a horrific eye injury.

Tiny Olaf Rescued From a ‘Frozen’ Future
Young foal Olaf was separated from his mother too early and abandoned on land prone to flooding, left to fend for himself as freezing winter weather approached.
Recommended Blog Posts

Empathy, education, and evidence: the take-home messages from our 25th annual conference
Find out how an international line up of speakers explored “When does use become abuse?”.

Frodo’s journey to Royal Windsor
Frodo's groom Nicolle picks up the story as Frodo prepares to go to Royal Windsor Horse Show.

What is a dummy rider and how do we use them on our farms?
We catch up with Caroline Heard, Assistant Manager at Belwade Farm, to find out all about them.
Enjoy reading stories like this?
Join over 55,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter

Join over 55,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Sign me up now