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RSPCA braced for rise in horse neglect over winter | RSPCA braced for rise in horse neglect over winter |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The RSPCA is bracing itself for a big influx in the number of abandoned and neglected horses. | The RSPCA is bracing itself for a big influx in the number of abandoned and neglected horses. |
Nationally, numbers are currently lower than the same time last year, one of the worst on record. | Nationally, numbers are currently lower than the same time last year, one of the worst on record. |
But Equine Rehoming Officer Gareth Johnson said the charity had been "very lucky" with the weather and was preparing for the worst from January. | But Equine Rehoming Officer Gareth Johnson said the charity had been "very lucky" with the weather and was preparing for the worst from January. |
"We've got space, but very, very limited space to be perfectly honest," he said. | "We've got space, but very, very limited space to be perfectly honest," he said. |
"We are at this moment above our quota of where we should be and the winter hasn't really started yet. | "We are at this moment above our quota of where we should be and the winter hasn't really started yet. |
"But we are making in-roads as to where we can take in more, but it's very costly and we are struggling." | "But we are making in-roads as to where we can take in more, but it's very costly and we are struggling." |
Extra space | Extra space |
Reports of neglected horses tend to peak in the winter when animals that have managed to survive for the rest of the year start to struggle for grazing. | Reports of neglected horses tend to peak in the winter when animals that have managed to survive for the rest of the year start to struggle for grazing. |
Where there is no shelter, cold weather and rain mean the condition of animals can also deteriorate quickly. | Where there is no shelter, cold weather and rain mean the condition of animals can also deteriorate quickly. |
Gonsal Farm, in Shropshire, is one of three RSPCA horse rescue centres in England, with others at Felledge near Durham and Lockwood in Surrey. | Gonsal Farm, in Shropshire, is one of three RSPCA horse rescue centres in England, with others at Felledge near Durham and Lockwood in Surrey. |
Between them they can accommodate about 150 horses and ponies. | Between them they can accommodate about 150 horses and ponies. |
A network of up to 20 private boarding stables across the country provides extra space, but at a cost to the charity. | A network of up to 20 private boarding stables across the country provides extra space, but at a cost to the charity. |
Mr Johnson said Gonsal Farm, with a working capacity of 50, was currently caring for about 40 horses, with another 20 known to be coming in January. | Mr Johnson said Gonsal Farm, with a working capacity of 50, was currently caring for about 40 horses, with another 20 known to be coming in January. |
In November alone, 71 horses were abandoned across the country, taking the year's total to over 1,200. | In November alone, 71 horses were abandoned across the country, taking the year's total to over 1,200. |
Last year, more than 2,300 horses were reported to the charity, but Mr Johnson said that included one case in South Wales involving about 650 animals - thought to be one of the biggest rescues of its kind in the world. | Last year, more than 2,300 horses were reported to the charity, but Mr Johnson said that included one case in South Wales involving about 650 animals - thought to be one of the biggest rescues of its kind in the world. |
Mr Johnson said horses were often difficult to rehome because of their size and specialist needs, although campaigns had proved "very successful". | Mr Johnson said horses were often difficult to rehome because of their size and specialist needs, although campaigns had proved "very successful". |
"At Gonsal Farm alone we've rehomed something like 110 horses this year. On top of that we've got 33 horses and ponies out being fostered." | |
'Skin and bones' | 'Skin and bones' |
Hotspots for abandoned horses this year include Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Kent and Durham. | Hotspots for abandoned horses this year include Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Kent and Durham. |
Many of them will go to Gonsal Farm, a 186-acre purpose-built site near Dorrington. | Many of them will go to Gonsal Farm, a 186-acre purpose-built site near Dorrington. |
One resident, 16-year-old Yasmine, a Welsh-cross pony, was found in Anglesea in February. | One resident, 16-year-old Yasmine, a Welsh-cross pony, was found in Anglesea in February. |
"It was one of the worst cases I have ever seen as far as neglect goes," Mr Johnson said. | "It was one of the worst cases I have ever seen as far as neglect goes," Mr Johnson said. |
"She was complete skin and bones. We have a body score of between one and five and she didn't even register. | "She was complete skin and bones. We have a body score of between one and five and she didn't even register. |
"There were horses dead in stables, dead in fields, a very harrowing situation. | "There were horses dead in stables, dead in fields, a very harrowing situation. |
"Yasmine was one of the lucky ones, but what this mare saw was unbelievable. She was literally walking on dead bodies and she's not going to forget that." | "Yasmine was one of the lucky ones, but what this mare saw was unbelievable. She was literally walking on dead bodies and she's not going to forget that." |
Abandoned horse hotspots in England 2014 | Abandoned horse hotspots in England 2014 |
Source: RSPCA (figures up to end of November) | Source: RSPCA (figures up to end of November) |
Another of the horses at Gonsal Farm waiting for a new home is Three-year-old Polo, rescued from a garden shed in a small yard at a home in Dudley. | Another of the horses at Gonsal Farm waiting for a new home is Three-year-old Polo, rescued from a garden shed in a small yard at a home in Dudley. |
"We found this poor animal emaciated," Mr Johnson said. | "We found this poor animal emaciated," Mr Johnson said. |
"It had no proper food, it had potato peelings and maybe a few apples, but no hay, no bedding. It was living with household rubbish in the shed and in a real state. | "It had no proper food, it had potato peelings and maybe a few apples, but no hay, no bedding. It was living with household rubbish in the shed and in a real state. |
"Parts of the Black Country have a real problem. There are lots of really good owners in the area, but a few have horses on tethers, on wasteland, on council land, and it's a bit of bravado. | "Parts of the Black Country have a real problem. There are lots of really good owners in the area, but a few have horses on tethers, on wasteland, on council land, and it's a bit of bravado. |
"They have a horse because it's the in-thing to do." | "They have a horse because it's the in-thing to do." |
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