Although there were some serious welfare concerns at Appleby Horse Fair, where two horses died this year, there was also “much to celebrate” in terms of equine wellbeing, as 24 “health, happiness and horsemanship” awards were given out.

Nine charities, all members of the National Equine Welfare Council, have representatives at the fair to support horses’ wellbeing, and the awards are organised by them to recognise the best standards.

Vet and awards judge Nicola Berryman, from Redwings, has been going to the fair since 2012.

“The fair is a place of extremes for us as vets, and there’s no question that judging Best at Appleby is my favourite part of my role,” she said. “It is an honour to meet the wonderful owners of these well cared for horses and ponies – and of course this year’s mule.

“It’s always a difficult decision to choose the overall vet’s champion for the fair, which the vets select from the best at Appleby award winners throughout the event on the final day. It was close but we’re thrilled to award it to traditional cob Grace and her lovely family the Basfords.”

Nicola said the team met Grace last year, when her body condition score was slightly too high to be given an award.

“We hoped to see her again and when her owner Scott brought the six-year-old to the tent on Saturday I was really impressed,” she said.

“Grace was rescued by Scott, in foal, from very poor circumstances, and was so filthy he didn’t even know what colour she was. Now it’s clear to see that she’s carefully cared for and adored by him and his whole family.”

The people’s champion award went to Raven and his owners Karl and family, who were awarded a Best at Appleby rosette on Friday after the children spotted the awards’ TikTok page and went to find out more. Raven’s posts across all the Best at Appleby social media channels had more than 1,500 engagements and reached more than 30,000 people.

Nicola said: “Friesian cross Raven is a really good example of excellent welfare at the fair. He is in amazing condition and his coat is so silky. We think he looks incredible, and the care given to him is clear to see. He’s a very worthy people’s champion.”

The full list of winners is:

• Vet’s champion: Grace (owners Scott, Conor, Neive and Bobby)
• People’s champion: Raven (owner Karl and family)
• Best at Appleby awards
• Dan (handled by Toni and Brandon)
• Maggie (owner Dylan)
• Champagne (owners Zoe and Lexi)
• Grace (owners Scott, Conor, Neive and Bobby)
• Malcolm (handlers Emily, Ben, Kate and Jerry)
• Prince (owner Billy)
• Willow (owners Craig and Sophie)
• Raven (owner Karl and family)
• Pride (owners Mr and Mrs Scott)
• Wilbur (owner Rosie)
• Rising star awards (given to people and horses):
• Isaac (who was with Shetland pony Elsa)
• Teddy (handler Annaleigh and owner Liam)
• Isla (who was with pony Polo)
• Best hoof health
• Wilbur (and farrier Tom Oliver Dyson)
• Best in harness
• Paddy (owners Liam and Hannah)
• Returning winners awards
• Lucifer (owner Carl)
• Rosie (owner Michael)
• Heartbreaker (handler Johnny)
• Magic (owner Alison)
• Sundance Kid (owner Liam)
• Bobbie Dazzler (owner Robbie)

Nicola said: “We know there are a range of welfare standards at the fair, and there have been a lot of conversations at both our Best at Appleby and engagement tents about the death of the horse at Jubilee Bridge on Wednesday.

“No one is pretending that there aren’t welfare concerns at the event, but there is a lot to celebrate at the fair as well and that’s what Best at Appleby is about. We’re looking forward to celebrating 10 years of these wonderful awards at next year’s fair.”

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A second equine died at Appleby Horse Fair, it has been confirmed, as overworking of horses was a “significant welfare issue” at this year’s event.

H&H reported on the three-year-old who was “worked to death” last Wednesday (5 June) but the RSPCA said a Shetland also died on Saturday, showing “all the signs of exhaustion” – and that had temperatures been higher, there could well have been more deaths.

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “There are a lot of wonderful people and animals at the fair, who it’s really enjoyable to meet and get to know. You only need look at the Appleby Horse Project’s Best at Appleby Awards, which celebrate horse health, happiness and horsemanship.

“Unfortunately, there is also an element of people who think it’s okay to drive horses to the point of exhaustion, and disappointingly we’ve seen the most serious results of that this week.

“Everyone knows about the horse who died at Jubilee Bridge on Wednesday, but we had a Shetland pony who died in the residential section at the back of the Trade Field on Saturday too, which showed all the signs of exhaustion.”

Mr Melloy said the charity believes much of the overworking was happening overnight, but not reported.

“And we had to deal with the consequences the day after,” he said. “In the case of the Shetland, we were called to the stallion early in the morning, and suspect he was overworked in the evening.

“A lot of our warnings and interactions were about exhaustion and if the weather had been a little bit hotter we may have been talking about more than these two deaths.”

The RSPCA recorded 438 interventions by officers during the fair. Five investigations are ongoing, and nine warnings were issued. Six equines, a dog, a puppy, a kitten, a cross-bred canary, a wild-caught goldfinch and a wild rabbit are in charity care.

Staff from nine welfare charities attend the fair each year.

“The experienced and committed team of charity and private practice vets, logistics experts, enforcement and education officers have been supporting the protection and wellbeing of horses at the fair for over 20 years,” an RSPCA spokesman said. “They provide a vet station at Salt Tip Corner where assistance can be sought for any animal that needs it and run the Best at Appleby Awards.”

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A three-year-old colt was “worked to death” at Appleby Horse Fair, in what has been described as an “inexcusable act of cruelty”.

The RSPCA, one of nine welfare organisations working on the Appleby Horse Project, is appealing for information after the 14hh skewbald trotter collapsed at Jubilee Bridge at about 3pm on Wednesday (5 June).

RSPCA inspector Rob Melloy said the horse’s temperature was very high and he was covered in rubs.

“He had been worked until he dropped,” he said.

“This was an inexcusable act of cruelty. This person has let themselves, their family and of course this poor horse down, who undoubtedly suffered before he died.

“We want to hear from anyone who knows who is responsible and are releasing CCTV images of him, with the horse, so that we can ensure this doesn’t happen again. Please contact the RSPCA on our special appeal line 0300 123 8018 or police on 101.

“This incident is a very disappointing way to have started the fair today, where there are so many examples of good horsemanship, and we know a lot of people will be upset to hear about this.”

The annual Appleby Horse Fair this year runs from 6 to 12 June and the nine welfare organisations are there to support the horses.

Gypsy representatives Billy Welch and Bill Lloyd said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms whoever has done this. We are sickened and saddened by the cruelty that this person or persons have shown.

“We have no hesitation in asking anyone who has any knowledge of this awful event to cooperate fully with police and RSPCA in identifying whoever is responsible. If you are in any doubt, please come forward and provide any information you have for the sake of justice and the future of the fair.”

Mr Welch and Mr Lloyd said they are “fully supportive” of the work of the nine organisations to improve standards of horse welfare, and this incident is “a body blow to all our efforts”.

“As far as we know we have never had this happen before and we plead with everyone to listen to the welfare messages so that it never happens again,” they said.

“Appleby is one of the greatest celebrations of the horse in Europe and this tragic event is a stain on the fair that will be hard to wash out. The fair attracts a diverse mix of people including gypsies and travellers, but the majority are settled people. The standard of horsemanship among gypsy people is usually high and they are often among the first to report abuse at the fair when they see it. We do not yet know the identity of the person responsible and if it was a gypsy we will condemn them even more strongly and loudly but please do not leap to any conclusions until we know the facts.”

There will be a vet station at the fair, at Salt Tip Corner, where help can be sought for any animal. The station will be staffed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm. Anyone with any concerns for an animal should approach an RSPCA or police officer.

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Visitors to Appleby Horse Fair are being asked if they would like to see changes to improve the event for horses.

The annual gathering, the largest of its kind in the country, runs next week (8-12 June) in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.

Equine welfare charities Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Blue Cross, World Horse Welfare, Bransby Horses, the British Horse Society, the Donkey Sanctuary, Oak Tree Animals and the Horse Trust, which have been supporting equine protection at the fair for over 20 years, want to hear from as many people as possible to help their work.

“Staff from the collaboration, all members of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC), will be identifiable by armbands reading ‘Everyone has a voice’,” a spokesman for the collaboration said. “They will be having conversations with as broad a range of people as possible to understand what they would like to see over the next five years. Any fairgoers who wish to do so are invited to the NEWC tent on Salt Tip Corner for refreshments and a chat.”

Andie McPherson, Redwings campaign manager and coordinator of this year’s Appleby equine welfare project, said welfare improvements have been made over the years, with some support from the “wider community”.

“But the charity-led effort has increasingly received interest from fairgoers offering help and support,” she said. “We want our work to be informed by the interests and preferences of diverse fairgoers, and this is the next step in our efforts to do this.”

The Appleby fair is significant to the gypsy, roma and traveller communities, and some 10,000 people attend the fair every year, as well as 30,000 visitors.

Bill Lloyd, gypsy and traveller representative to the multi-agency strategic coordination group (MASCG), which brings together relevant organisations to “make the fair safe and enjoyable”, said: “Horse welfare is a concern to all parties involved and interested in the fair, which is above all a celebration of the horse. Veterinary science is constantly developing, and along with the rapid growth of social media and press that seeks sensational stories, welfare cases are more and more in the public eye. Scientific advance now shows some old myths to be nonsense and reveals some new causes for concern. The wider community is demanding higher standards, and a good reputation can take years to win, but can be lost in 30 seconds.

“The animal welfare charities are at the forefront of improving horse welfare standards, and they are our strongest allies in shaping the public perception of the fair, by encouraging what is good and discouraging what is bad. A recent detailed survey shows that, while the great majority (81%) of horses owned by gypsies and travellers are in prime condition, confirming that the wholesale negative stereotyping of this group is untrue and unjustified, there remains a significant number of horses with welfare problems, mostly hoof care, and a small minority of cases that justify intervention by animal welfare professionals.

“As society becomes more sensitive and better informed about high standards of welfare, the fair-going community is being asked for their views on what and how improvements could be made. This is a chance to have our say, and I believe that the reputation of the fair in the wider community can only benefit from this cooperative approach. Please support what the animal welfare charities are trying to achieve by listening to what they have to say, and by sharing with them your opinions about the work they are doing.”

The RSPCA is sending 34 people to this year’s Appleby, Redwings nine, Blue Cross and World Horse Welfare eight each, Bransby Horses six, the BHS and Donkey Sanctuary three each, and Oak Tree Animals two.

RSPCA officers will be supported by the other charities at the event to help any animals who are sick, injured or whose needs are not being met. There will be a vet station at Salt Tip Corner.

The collaboration’s “best at Appleby” competition – sponsored by the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association and in its eighth year – will celebrate examples of equine health, happiness, and horsemanship.

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A series of welfare awards aimed to “celebrate examples of equine health and happiness, and horsemanship” return at this year’s Appleby Horse Fair.

The Best at Appleby awards, organised by Redwings and supported by other National Equine Welfare Council members, will be on offer at the annual gathering, the largest of its type in the UK, which runs from 9 to 13 June in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.

The scheme, sponsored by the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association, is in its seventh year, last held online in 2020 owing to Covid.

Redwings vet Nicola Berryman, who will be at the fair, said: “We’re excited to be bringing Best at Appleby back to the fair, with the support of other members of the National Equine Welfare Council.

“Appleby Horse Fair has been in existence for at least 300 years, and probably longer, and is so important to the gypsy and traveller community who love horses.

“Best at Appleby is a unique way of breaking down some of those barriers that sometimes exist between the gypsy and traveller and vet communities, allowing vets to get to know horse owners who wouldn’t ordinarily speak with us, and giving owners the chance to ask advice that will benefit their horses.”

Ms Berryman added that organisers were “overwhelmed” by the number of entries to the 2020 online show, and that the awards have previously had a “great response”.

“Several previous winners have won multiple times for the excellent care and attention they give to ensure the happiness of their horses, and we’ve seen some promote horse welfare alongside the vets at the fair,” she said.

Three Redwings vets will be on site, as part of a six-strong veterinary team, who will “keep an eye out for the very healthiest of horses and best horsemanship”. Rosettes will be given to those who impress the team. There will be awards for junior handlers, and in categories including best stepping cob, best trotter and best hoof health.

On the final day, the vets will choose one champion, while social media engagement will determine the people’s champion.

All winners will be offered the chance to have their horse microchipped and passported for free, if they are not already.

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A man who was convicted of his second offence of unlawful farriery, at Appleby Horse Fair, has had his appeal overturned, and been ordered to pay thousands of pounds extra in costs.

The appeal of 27-year-old Jude Oliver Hubbard, also known as Jude Oliver and Jude Conlan, was dismissed by Carlisle Crown Court last week.

Hubbard, of The Fairway, Moorends, Doncaster, had been found guilty of committing unlawful farriery, at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on 9 December 2019. He had been stopped by the RSPCA and police while shoeing a horse at the Appleby fair on 6 June that year.

The court heard his case again, including hearing from all witnesses, on 10 and 11 December.

His appeal was dismissed; the court confirmed the guilty verdict stood, as did the original fine of £100, costs order of £5,000 and surcharge of £30. Hubbard was ordered to pay a further £7,674.72 in costs.

It was Hubbard’s second conviction of unlawful farriery in as many years. He also appealed on the first occasion, and this was dismissed.

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A spokesman for the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) said: “Horse owners, especially those in South Yorkshire and north Nottinghamshire, are reminded that Mr Hubbard/Oliver/Conlan is not a registered farrier and never has been, and he holds no farriery qualification.

“Please carefully consider the welfare of your horse and employ only a registered farrier.”

Under the Farriers Registration Act, only registered farriers, enrolled farriery apprentices, qualified and trainee vets and people giving emergency first aid can practise farriery. Unlawful practice is a criminal offence that carries a maximum fine of £1,000. The FRC can take out private prosecutions against unregistered people.

To check whether or not a farrier is registered, visit the FRC website.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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A man responsible for driving a foal in a cart at Appleby Horse Fair has been sent to prison after a trial involving three people and 14 animal welfare offences.

Samuel Powell, 35, of Forstal Road, Lenham, Kent, Jimmy Price, 26, of Well Street, Maindstone, Kent, and Danny Lee Price, 30, of Victoria Court, East Farleigh, Maidstone, were sentenced on 10 January following a three-day trial at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

Samuel Powell was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison after he was convicted of seven offences relating to horses, two of which he had been convicted of at an earlier hearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.

An RSPCA spokesman said Powell caused uneccessary suffering to a skewbald filly by working her when she was too young, leading her to become lame and suffer “extreme” pain and failed to provide veterinary treatment for a respiratory infection. He also failed to provide veterinary treatment for a piebald Shetland filly, for a wound caused by her headcollar.

“The incident involved the foal pulling a cart with people on it and happened in June last year at the Appleby Horse Fair,” he said.

Jimmy Price was sentenced to 225 days in prison after he was convicted of six charges; two relating to a skewbald gelding who had been allowed to suffer and dogs whose needs were not met, and four charges from a previous trial, two relating to a deer he killed with a knife and two for hare-coursing.

He is also consecutively serving 45 days for the activation of a suspended sentence relating to a previous conviction for theft and attempted theft.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said Price was arrested by police in Felixtowe, Suffolk, in November 2018 following reports of men hare-coursing.

“His phone was confiscated and passed to the RSPCA for investigation and a number of images were found including the killing of a deer,” he said.

“Following this, RSPCA inspectors and independent vets visited a location in Well Street, along with the police, who executed a warrant to search the premises in March 2019. A number of horses were seized including a young cob who had a severe wound to her nose caused by a headcollar as well as two dogs.”

The spokesman added inspectors had visited the same location in January 2019 for a separate incident and seized a number of horses.

“Vets who visited the location found horses had experienced significant suffering to a variety of failures including failure to provide suitable diet and care for them.”

Danny Lee Price pleaded guilty to one offence of causing uncessary suffering a horse who was found dead between 13 February and 13 March 2019.

**Warning: upsetting image**

“Vets who examined the horse said that the most likely cause of death was starvation and or dehydration,” said the spokesman.

RSPCA special operation unit inspector Pippa Boyd said: “These horses were all let down by their owners who saw them as a commodity rather than as sentient beings.

“It appeared that horses, some of which were pregnant, which were not classed as valuable and as a result were not given even the basic standards of care. When it came to ownership no one would take responsibility for them.”

Ms Boyd added that when investigating Jimmy Price for welfare offences inspectors found footage on his phone of him killing the deer with a knife.

“The footage is really difficult to watch and the deer would have suffered a slow, and painful death,” she said.

The spokesman added the charity worked closely with Suffolk and Kent Police rural teams during the investigations and thanked them for their support.

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Jimmy Price was disqualified from keeping dogs for five years and ordered to pay £5,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £115. The court issued a deprivation order for the gelding and two dogs. In mitigation the court heard he denied ownership of the horse. It was accepted that horses were part of his livelihood and he had a young family to provide for.

Samuel Powell was disqualified from keeping equines for five years and ordered to pay £5,000 costs. In mitigation the court heard Powell would buy horses in poor condition and rehabilitate them before selling them on.

Danny Lee Price was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work and must serve 10 rehabillitation days. He was ordered to pay £1,500 costs and a £85 victim surcharge. In mitigation the court heard the neglect was not intentional and had been accidental.

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A welfare charity that rescued an abandoned mule at Appleby Horse Fair a year ago said it is “heartbreaking” to think what could have happened to her.

Six-year-old dun Dotty was seen by Donkey Sanctuary staff being driven at the 2018 fair and was later found loose nearby with no sign of her owner.

A spokesman for the sanctuary said Dotty was taken to Appleby police station while attempts were made to locate her owner.

“Our Derbyshire sanctuary remains on call during the equine fair, and as staff were ready to offer her a temporary home straight away, Dotty was transported the same day,” said the spokesman.

“Dotty’s hooves were overgrown, but she had a friendly nature and she was loving and keen to be in the company of the RSPCA and police station staff who all immediately fell in love with her.”

Notices were left at the scene by the RSPCA giving the owner two weeks to come forward and claim Dotty.

Donkey Sanctuary head of welfare Hannah Bryer said: “It is always disappointing to see any equine abandoned or discarded, especially at an event like Appleby with a high presence of welfare teams who are there to help.

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“Dotty is an incredibly sweet-natured mule so it is heartbreaking to think what would have happened had the welfare team at Appleby not spotted her plight.

“I am incredibly grateful to the RSPCA and police who helped provide a safe place for Dotty until we could find her a more permanent place to stay and of course to our supporters whose kindness means our teams can be there on the front line to help donkeys and mules wherever they may be in the UK.”

Dotty was signed over to the Donkey Sanctuary after no owner came forward. The spokesman said the intelligent mule has become a “firm favourite” at the sanctuary’s Derbyshire centre where she is undergoing training with the aim of finding her a new home in future.

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The lowest number of people since 2010 have been given welfare advice and warnings at Appleby Horse Fair as the RSPCA calls this year’s event a “positive” one.

A spokesman for the charity said 131 people were given welfare advice during the five-day event in Cumbria (6 to 10 June), compared to 198 in 2018, and 310 in 2010. Five people received welfare warnings compared to 14 in 2018, and 23 in 2010.

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “There have been a couple of incidents posted on social media, which we’re aware of and have either dealt with or are dealing with, but on the whole this year’s fair has been a positive one.

“We, and our partner animal welfare charities, have a significant presence at the fair, and this year’s team was the biggest yet, but we can’t be everywhere and inevitably, despite our best efforts, there will be things that we just don’t see.”

Five investigations are ongoing, compared to four in 2018, and a spokesman for the RSPCA said these do not relate to overworking or exhausted horses. The spokesman added that there were no incidents involving dogs in hot cars.

“The weather plays such a big part in the kind of incidents we deal with at the fair. This year’s weather was very mixed, with a lot of rain on Saturday and Sunday, but it is still really pleasing that there were not significant issues with either of these things this year,” said Mr Melloy.

“It was also really pleasing how positively and patiently people responded when the river ramp was closed due to the weather conditions, which we know can be frustrating.”

Welfare organisations came together for the multi-agency undertaking, the biggest deployment of the year for RSPCA staff with 34 officers in attendance.

The Blue Cross sent six officers from its horse team and two people from the charity’s education team. Bransby Horses and the British Horse Society sent a team of three each. The Donkey Sanctuary sent five welfare advisers and a vet. Redwings Horse Sanctuary had nine staff in attendance; four vets, a farrier, two senior field officers and three members of educational staff. World Horse Welfare sent six field officers and two education officers.

An information and education tent was open for the ninth year.

“The tent continues to grow in popularity thanks to interactive activities including specimens of real horse parasites and body condition scoring,” said the RSPCA spokesman.

Vets also handed out 16 welfare awards as part of Redwings’ campaign to recognise horses in ‘outstanding’ condition. The awards included prizes for trotters, who scored ‘highly’ in free fitness tests provided by Redwings’ vets, and a peope’s champion award voted for by visitors to the fair.

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Six “rising star” awards were given to younger owners who demonstrated “excellent care and attention” to ensure the health of their horses.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said winners were offered the chance to have their horse microchipped and passported for free if they were not already – and three were given out.

“I’d like to say thank you to all of our partner charities who come together at Appleby every year. It is a real team effort. I also want to say thank you to Cumbria Constabulary for their fantastic support,” said Mr Melloy.

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Exhaustion of horses will be a “big focus” at Appleby Horse Fair and “myths need debunking” the RSPCA has warned.

The annual event, which begins today (6 June) and runs until Monday (10 June) at Appleby in Cumbria, is the charity’s biggest deployment of staff and multi-agency undertaking of the year, with 34 RSPCA officers in attendance.

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “Exhaustion of horses will be a big focus for the team at this year’s Appleby. We’ve had overworked and dehydrated horses on our hands for the past three years.

“A man went to prison after being convicted of causing unnecessary suffering at last year’s fair as a result of overworking his horse.”

Mr Melloy said the majority of owners at the fair are good but there are some “myths that need debunking” around providing horses water.

“It is okay to allow a horse to drink immediately after exercise,” said Mr Melloy.

“When you buy a horse [at the fair] you don’t know how much that horse has already been worked. Some of them are being massively overworked over the course of the fair – it would be like asking someone to run a marathon three days in a row.”

The Blue Cross is sending six officers from its horse team and two people from the charity’s education team. Bransby Horses and the British Horse Society are sending a team of three each. The Donkey Sanctuary is sending five welfare advisers and a vet. Redwings Horse Sanctuary has nine staff in attendance; four vets, a farrier, two senior field officers and three members of educational staff. World Horse Welfare is sending eight members of staff.

There will be a vet station at Salt Tip Corner where assistance can be sought for any animal who needs it and will be staffed from Friday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm.

“Fair-goers can go to the vet station or approach our officers – or those from the other horse charities attending – if they are concerned about an animal at the event, or they can call us on 0300 1234999,” said Mr Melloy.

Article continued below…

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A spokesman for the RSPCA said there will be an information and education tent on Salt Tip Corner where attendees can share knowledge and discuss issues relating to horse care.

“Now in its ninth year the tent continues to grow in popularity thanks to interactive activities including specimens of real horse parasites,” said the spokesman.

“The RSPCA will be tweeting from the event from its @RSPCA_Frontline account and Redwings will be running their #BestAtAppleby welfare awards again this year to recognise excellent examples of equine health and horsemanship, with the overall champion and junior champion announced on Sunday.”

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More resources – including more police officers – have been put in place for this year’s Appleby Horse Fair, the public has been assured.

Cumbria Police temporary chief superintendent Rob O’Connor explained some of the changes made to plans to police this year’s event (6 to 12 June) after feedback was received from the public on the 2018 fair.

“Last year the police received criticism relating to what we refer to as ‘phase one’ – the ingress to the fair,” he said.

“The criticism specifically related to how we policed the Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen areas in the weeks and days prior to the Fair.

“Following that criticism I have attended meetings in all these areas to listen to concerns. I can assure the public the comments people made have been heard and have greatly impacted the way we are planning and resourcing ahead of this year’s fair.”

After the 2018 event, at which a number of concerns were raised by locals, the Cumbria police and crime commissioner ordered a review, which suggested “adjustments” for 2019.

These include more “engagement opportunities” before and during the fair and consistent levels of command and staffing during phase one, during which more officers will be dedicated to the fair. Some staff have already started their phase one deployment.

A “chief officer” has been nominated to oversee all Appleby Fair policing, while there will be more staff taking calls on the 101 line during the fair period, and a dedicated option for people calling to report non-emergency police issues relating to Appleby.

Other improvements include “more and improved CCTV in Appleby” and the installation of four new CCTV cameras in Kirkby Stephen this month. Officers will also be using body video cameras to help collect evidence.

Two sections of the A685 have been identified as areas in which stopping will not be allowed, and public space protection orders will be enforced in certain areas to prevent drinking in the street.

“I can assure the public we have been working flat out for the past year to make sure we learn from the experience of previous years,” Mr O’Connor said.

“We have significantly uplifted our staffing numbers leading up to the fair and have tackled the most common concerns raised to us, such as 101 reporting, the A685 and CCTV coverage.

Continues below…

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“Myself and all of my officers are looking forward to the fair and working to make it an enjoyable event for everyone.”

Appleby Horse Fair is an annual gathering of gypsies and travellers in Appleby, Cumbria.

At last year’s fair, the RSPCA said it counted 1,200 caravans, as well as what officers thought to be a greater number of horses than in previous years, and issued 198 people with animal welfare advice.

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The owner of a pony who was worked “to the point of exhaustion” at Appleby Horse Fair has been jailed, as others are warned that overworking “will not be tolerated” at this year’s event.

Robert Michael Hunter, 34, of Scott Hall Road, Leeds, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 relating to cob Little Ginger, at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (26 March).

Two related to Hunter’s care of the gelding between June 2016 and June 2018, the third to June 2018, when he caused Little Ginger unnecessary suffering by overworking him at the horse fair.

RSPCA inspector Lyndsey Taylor said: “Little Ginger was found to be severely exhausted, suffering from hyperthermia and dehydration as a result of being overworked, and needed immediate veterinary treatment.

“He was very dull with his head held low and barely responding. He was standing but didn’t want to move. Vets said his temperature and breathing rate were both severely raised and his heart rate was dangerously increased.”

Little Ginger was put on a drip and given drugs to bring the hyperthermia under control but it took him “hours to recover”.

“If the owner had carried on working this pony he probably would have collapsed. On top of that, when vets examined him further they found he had trauma to the inside of both cheeks due to his teeth not being rasped,” said the inspector.

Little Ginger was taken into the care of the World Horse Welfare where he is “thriving”.

World Horse Welfare Penny Farm yard supervisor Karen Wright said: “He’s a lovely character who gets on well with his equine and human companions and loves nothing more than grazing out in the field. He’s very happy-go-lucky and has great potential as a riding or driving pony in future.”

The RSPCA said cardiac recovery index tests, widely used in endurance, which assess a horse’s fitness to go on working and levels of recovery, were brought in at Appleby Horse Fair last year to check the condition of horses vets were “concerned” about.

“We will be using the tests again at this year’s fair,” said Ms Taylor.

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“We very much want to educate owners to ensure that they’re resting their horses and providing them with a drink but we aren’t going to tolerate horses’ being overworked to exhaustion.

“If they look like they are, we will be pulling people up on it, as we did here.”

The court heard Hunter respects the work of the RSPCA and had only run Little Ginger up and down a hill once. With regards to the gelding’s teeth he said that he was overweight so was not struggling to eat or showing any issues with his bit.

Hunter was jailed for 90 days. He is banned from keeping equines for six years, suspended for six months to give him time to sell or rehome his other horses. He was ordered to pay £500 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

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Animal welfare organisations are preparing for the start of this year’s Appleby Horse Fair.

The historic event begins tomorrow (8 June) and runs until Monday (12 June).

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said they will be using exhaustion tests — originally designed for endurace horses — on equines inspectors are concerned about.

“Every year we learn lessons to take into the next,” said Inspector Melloy.

“Last year the number of horses being worked to exhaustion was a big issue.

“Working an equine repeatedly over several days, even though he may appear to have recovered, has a cumulative effect.

“We often see different people with the same animal who may not be aware of how much work it has done that day or on previous days at the fair.

“We’ll be using exhaustion tests on horses we’re concerned about, which were developed to be used on horses ridden in endurance events.

Inspector Melloy said a man from Essex was jailed as it was found he had been working an “exhausted” horse at last year’s fair.

“I’m urging people to be vigilant and report anything that concerns them,” he added. “We often get calls after the fair but very few during.

“Fair-goers can approach our officers — or those from the other horse charities attending — on the ground or they can call us on 0300 1234999.”

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A ramp into the River Eden, which is used for washing horses, was shut yesterday due to high water levels following heavy rain.

It has now reopened and organisers are warning people that they enter the water at their own risk.

Rainfall is continuing to be monitored and updates will be given if levels increase beyond 0.5m.

Seven equine organisations will be represented, including the British Horse Society and 33 officers from the RSPCA.

The Blue Cross is sending seven people, four will be there for Bransby Horses, plus a vet and two welfare advisors from the Donkey Sanctuary are attending.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary will have three vets, two senior field officers and an education and campaigns manager on site, with four field officers and a welfare support officer from World Horse Welfare.

There will be a vet station at Salt Tip Corner where assistance can be sought. It will be staffed on Friday-Sunday between 10am-4pm.

There will also be an information and education tent where people can share knowledge and discuss horse care.

A “best in show” competition will be running online and on the ground throughout the event, where owners can share pictures of their horses under the hashtag #BestatAppleby2017. The winners will be chosen by vets.

The RSPCA is also urging people not to leave dogs in vehicles at the fair.

“Every year we remind people, and almost every year we have an incident to deal with,” said Inspector Melloy.

“It does not have to be glorious sunshine for dogs to be at risk. We’ll be working with Cumbria Constabulary on a zero tolerance approach to this and where dogs are considered to be in danger they will be removed by any means necessary.”

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Fluids had to be given to a number of “overworked” horses at this year’s Appleby Horse Fair.

The RSPCA has said the overworking of equines during the “exceptionally hot” weather over the weekend mean a number of horses had to be given fluids on site.

“We had to warn far too many people whose horses were being worked to exhaustion in the heat,” said RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy.

“It was an exceptionally hot few days — which gave the fair a real holiday-type atmosphere — but quite frankly, they should have known better.”

The charity has two ongoing investigations and six horses were taken away from the fair.

Since the beginning of the fair (2 June) the RSPCA has issued 274 people with advice and given out 13 warnings.

This compared to 148 and 10 warnings last year and 142 and 10 in 2014.

Two dogs also had to be removed from a hot van on Sunday (5 June). Neither were hurt.

“We know that the weather plays a huge part in the type and number of incidents dealt with at the event,” added Mr Melloy.

“We had in increase in staff on the ground this year working different hours which I’m sure has had an impact, but I’d be lying if I said that this year’s numbers aren’t disappointing.”

He also emphasised that the fair is a large event and it is only “a small minority” of attendees who have little regard for animal welfare.

The RSPCA is the lead animal welfare organisation at the fair.

This year 31 of its officers attended, including specialist equine officers from across the country.

The British Horse Society, members of the National Equine Welfare Council, the Blue Cross, Redwings, World Horse Welfare and the Donkey Sanctuary also sent officers, grooms and vets to the fair.

This year, Redwings ran a “best in show” competition, which rewarded good examples of horse care and welfare.

An RSPCA spokesman said this had a “really positive response” from fair-goers.

Appleby Fair has been held for more than 300 years in the Cumbrian town. It attracts around 10,000 Gypsies and travellers as well as around 30,000 other visitors.

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Two horses have died in a crash at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information after the accident on a “flashing lane” at the fair this afternoon (Friday 5 June).

The “flashing lane” is where horses are ridden and driven at high-speed to show them off to potential buyers.

One horse died in the accident and another horse had to be put down by a vet from Redwings.

The identity of the people involved in the crash is unknown, as they had left before RSPCA officers and the vet arrived.

“We believe one horse was pulling a sulky while the other is thought to have been being ridden,” said RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy.

“Our inspectors didn’t witness the incident but were on the scene shortly afterwards.

“We want to hear from anyone who did see what happened. They can approach us at the event or call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

RSPCA chief inspector Melloy said: “Two horses have died as a result of this incident, but it could have been worse still.

“People must ensure that they are in control when they are riding or driving horses on the flashing lane at speed.

“Failing to do so can easily result in serious injury and even death.”

The RSPCA is working with four other equine welfare organisations at Appleby Horse Fair — Redwings, the Blue Cross, The Donkey Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare.

The fair has been in existence for at least 300 years and is largest horse fair in Britain and among the oldest in Europe. It attracts around 40,000 visitors each year, including around 10,000 from the travelling community. This year it runs from 4-10 June.

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The RSPCA handed out 38 warnings to horse owners at Appleby Horse Fair this year, more than twice the number last year.

But the charity said the overall number of incidents reported to them was fewer than in past years.

The week-long annual gypsy gathering came to a close in the Cumbrian town yesterday (Wednesday 13 June).

And equine charities were at the event in force.

Thirty-two RSPCA staff attended, Redwings sent four vets and World Horse Welfare six staff, three from the Donkey Sanctuary and the Blue Cross sent four horse handlers and a horse ambulance.

RSPCA officers issued 38 warnings, mostly for overworking of horses and veterinary concerns.

Fourteen horses were either taken into the care of the RSPCA, Redwings, Blue Cross or Bransby Home of Rest because of welfare concerns – more than have ever been removed before.

But the overall number of incidents was considerably down on last year, at 192. In 2011 the figure was 346, in 2010 it was 311 and in 2009 it was 180.

RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde said: “It’s really pleasing that we had to deal with fewer complaints than in previous years.

“The greater majority of owners at the fair were treating their animals well but, sadly, where we did need to intervene the situations were more serious, resulting in more warnings.”

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The RSPCA has increased its presence at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria this year, with 31 inspectors due to be on-site as part of a round-the-clock welfare team.

Four World Horse Welfare field officers will also be at the fair which opens today and runs until next Wednesday (9 June) and there will be five vets on site, four from Redwings and one from the Donkey Sanctuary.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Rob Melloy, said: “Last year we had 23 staff at Appleby. That was double the number we had the year before and we were very pleased with how it went, but it’s still a very small amount considering how many people and animals attend.

“This is a big event involving large numbers of horses, and other animals, and whilst the vast majority of people at the fair treat them very well, there is a hardened minority that cause problems. We want to do everything possible to ensure they can be dealt with.”

In 2007 a horse was drowned in the river at the fair and last year a man was stabbed. A horse was also found with serious injuries.

The annual horse fair attracts around 30,000 and 1,500 caravans and horse drawn vehicles to the area.

Cumbria and Durham police forces have warned drivers on the A66 to watch out for horse drawn transport in the run up to the fair, in an attempt to cut accidents on the road.

Two people have died and another has been serious injured in collisions involving horse drawn vehicles on the A66 in the past seven years.

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A five-year old registered fell mare has been returned to her owners after being stolen over seven months ago from fields in Cumbria.

Hettie was stolen on 6 June 2009 during the Appleby Horse Fair, a gathering of gypsies and travellers that takes place annually in Cumbria’s Eden Valley

She was returned to her rightful owners when a breeder in Kent became suspicious about the origins of a pony he had bought.

He had bought the mare in September from travellers at a horse fair in Kent, but soon became apprehensive when they failed to produce her passport.

After spotting an appeal for information about Hettie on the Fell Pony Society website, he got in touch with her owners.

“He asked if Hettie had any distinctive markings,” owner Derrick Byas told H&H, “and when he found out that she had been microchipped, decided to scan the pony he had bought.

“When the number scanned matched the number in our pony’s passport we were amazed and delighted.”

Arrangements were made to transport Hettie back to Cumbria, and she is now roaming her home turf with her mother and daughter.

“We have been extremely lucky,” continued Derrick. “It certainly shows the positives of the microchip legislation!”

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A skewbald stallion, covered in bites, with maggot-infested wounds and his ear virtually hanging off, was found by RSPCA officers at last year’s Appleby Horse Fair, a court has heard.

Joseph Priestley of Thorpe Lane, Middleton, Leeds, was found guilty causing unnecessary suffering to the horse, by Penrith Magistrates Court on Wednesday (13 January).

The RSPCA found the horse tethered on a verge on 6 June 2009, during the annual Cumbrian event.

The owner could not be found so the horse, now named Vincent, was assessed by a vet and taken to Redwings in Norfolk, where he has made a full recovery.

It is thought he had been involved in a fight with another stallion.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector David Holgate told a local paper: “The horse had horrific injuries and the person responsible should have sought veterinary attention.”

But he said conditions at Appleby Horse Fair had improved over recent years.

Priestley denied the charge against him but was found guilty in his absence. He will be sentenced on 28 January at Carlisle Magistrates Court.

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Equestrian events could be sued by “anyone injured in almost any circumstances”, claims a lawyer, if a compensation ruling is not overturned.

Geoffrey Glaister, 67, was kicked in the head by a runaway horse at Appleby Horse Fair in 2004, causing permanent brain damage, but could be stripped of his right to damages after an appeal.

In March Mr Glaister of Peterlee, County Durham, was awarded the right to compensation from Appleby-in-Westmorland Town Council, by a Middlesbrough County Court judge.

His wife and daughter, Geraldine and Natalie, were also granted the right to a payout after witnessing the incident.

The county court judge ruled that despite not being involved in the fair, the council had failed to ensure the organisers had public liability insurance.

But last Wednesday (25 November) at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, lawyers for the council argued that the judge, Christopher Storey QC, had placed too high a duty on the council.

“Imposing such a duty would open the floodgates to claims by anyone injured in almost any circumstances at such a fair,” Steven Snowden, for the council, told the judges.

Lawyers for the Glaisters claim the county court judge’s decision should be allowed to stand so they can be compensated.

The court reserved judgment until an unspecified date.

Appleby Horse fair caused controversy in 2007 when a horse drowned.

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A spate of arrests took place over the weekend (6-7 June) at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.

The fair (4-10 June) is the largest annual gathering of Romany gypsies and travellers in Britain and attracts nearly 400,000 visitors to the area.

Fifty-three people were arrested between 8am on Saturday (6 June) and 8am Sunday (7 June).

And 27 of those were arrested in connection with a mass brawl that broke out between two rival gangs at 5am on Sunday.

One man was taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle with head injuries.

A further seven were arrested in connection with the incident on Sunday. All have now been released on bail.

Nearly 60 whips were confiscated in the same time period and 36 fines issued for various traffic and low-level public disorder offences.

Other arrests were related to violence, drug and alcohol offences. And on Friday (5 June), police recovered counterfeit goods with a street value of £250,000.

Chief superintendent Steve Johnson, who was in charge of the Appleby Fair policing operation, said: “Our officers are continuing to work hard to provide proportionate enforcement of the law.

“Saturday was our busiest night and things have quietened down noticeably overnight with people now beginning to make their way home.”

In relation to the brawl Chief Supt Johnson said: “Early intervention by our officers neutralised the situation and avoided what could have turned into a significant incident of disorder at an isolated location outside the town.

“Our officers were faced with violence and a community that did not want to engage. Officers dealt with the situation in a firm and fair manner under difficult circumstances.

“Our message is clear — violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Cumbria and we will respond to disorder proportionately and robustly.”

Last week the RSPCA announced it was doubling the number of staff at the event to 20 to provide round-the-clock presence.

RSPCA officers gave animal health advice to 47 people and issued six formal warnings.

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “Nobody likes the rain but from an animal welfare point of view it was very good news indeed.

“There were fewer people taking horses into the river, the horses on the ‘flashing lane’ were going at a slower and safer pace and of course there was no danger of a repeat of the two dogs which died in a hot car last year.

“We had a very visible presence and people were coming to us with anything they were concerned about, which is something we’re really keen to promote.”

One horse was put down after being hurt in accident.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “A horse came into us with a bad tendon injury. After explaining the nature of it to the owner they decided to sign it over into our care. Despite veterinary treatment its condition deteriorated and sadly it had to be euthanised.”

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More than 40,000 people are expected to make the annual pilgrimage to Cumbria this week for Appleby Horse Fair which starts today (Thursday 4 June).

This year the RSPCA is sending double the usual number of inspectors to Appleby Horse Fair (4-10 June) to provide a round-the-clock presence for the first time.

Appleby Horse Fair is the largest gathering of Romany gypsies and travelling communities in Britain.

Twenty RSPCA inspectors will be in attendance as well as three chief inspectors and an RSPCA vet.

The move comes in response to the charity’s evaluation of the event last year.

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “This is a big event involving a lot of animals and while the majority of those who attend treat them very well, we want to make sure we’re best placed to deal with those who don’t.”

During the fair about 1,500 horses will be washed in the River Eden and run on the flashing lane in front of potential buyers before being sold.

In 2007, there was public outrage when a colt drowned at the event during the traditional washing.

Owner Ian Deers was later jailed for 28 days and banned for five years from keeping horses after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (news, 20 March 2008).

There will also be a “proactive enforcement team” comprising RSPCA inspectors and Cumbrian police officers.

“Last year, the vast majority of verbal warnings were given for the overriding and overwhipping of horses on the flashing lane. That’s where the proactive enforcement team will be focusing their attention,” said Mr Melloy.

“We want people to know we will be taking a tougher line. Causing unnecessary suffering or failing to meet the needs of the animals in their care will not be tolerated.”

There will be three Redwings vets and four World Horse Welfare field officers at the event as well.

Chris Williamson, field officer for World Horse Welfare in the north-west, said: “We will assist the on-site vets, which will free the RSPCA inspectors to police the event and monitor horse welfare.”

Redwings senior welfare vet Nicolas De Brauwere and welfare vet Roxane Kirton will also be attending.

“We are seeking to improve the welfare of all the animals, dogs as well as horses, that attend the event, and we are working with the travelling community to try to change attitudes as well as uphold the animal welfare legislation,” said Mr De Brauwere said.

“Appleby Horse Fair is only one week in a year but we hope that the messages we spread and the work we do there will help us to see improvements in how horses are treated on a permanent basis.”

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A man is recovering in hospital after being stabbed at the Harness Horse Trials in Appleby, Cumbria on Monday (25 May).

Local paper the Evening Gazette named the victim as bare knuckle fighter Louis Welch, who is known as the “King of the Gipsies” — a title claimed by the best boxer in the travelling community.

This has not been confirmed by the police.

The 40-year-old victim, from Yarm on Teesside, suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, where he is said to be in a stable condition.

Eight men, aged from 19 to 57 and from the Lancaster and Preston areas, were arrested on suspicion of assault and an investigation launched after the attack near a beer tent at the event.

More than 900 people attended the bank holiday event, which is a prelude to Appleby Horse Fair, which begins on 4 June.

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This year’s Appleby Horse Fair (4-11 June) passed quietly with only a handful of relatively minor equine incidents, according to leading welfare agencies.

The good news is in marked contrast to last year’s fair when a horse drowned while being washed in the River Eden.

The RSPCA had a 13-strong team of inspectors at the fair.

Chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “Most people behaved well and treated the animals as they were supposed to.

“The vast majority of those who [were not behaving well] accepted our advice and their animals benefited as a result.”

In addition to the RSPCA, four vets were on-site during the fair, together with three World Horse Welfare (formerly ILPH) inspectors.

A man from Walsall was cautioned by police for failing to present a Welsh pony colt with ulcerated eyes for treatment.

RSPCA inspectors gave out about 40 verbal warnings, mainly for over-riding and over-whipping in the flashing lane.

Chief inspector Melloy said: “We were very pleased with how they responded to the warnings and it was encouraging to see how many people brought their animals to us for treatment.”

In another case, vets saved a horse that cut an artery on debris in the River Eden.

Chris Williamson, World Horse Welfare field officer for the north-west, told H&H: “There were a couple of minor incidents handled effectively by the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare and attending vets.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (19 June, ’08)

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A man has been jailed for drowning a horse at last year’s Appleby Horse Fair.

Ian Deer, 21, from Tottenham, London, was yesterday (13 March) jailed for 28 days and banned from keeping animals for five years for causing unnecessary suffering to the horse at Appleby Fair on Friday 8 June.

Carlisle Magistrates Court heard how bystanders watched in horror as Deer forced the horse into deep water where it struggled and drowned. He had bought the horse earlier in the day for £100 and intended to sell it later at the end of the fair.

District Judge Gerald Chalk said Deer had shown “manifest recklessness” when he led the horse into the River Eden during the second day of the horse fair.

He said: “You took this horse into the water in what must have seemed like an extreme sport. While I accept this was not done to kill the horse, your reckless conduct led to the horse’s distress and, ultimately, its death.”

Judge Chalk sentenced Deer to an additional 14 days in prison for missing an earlier court hearing, and another 14 days imprisonment for arriving two hours late for the sentencing (to run concurrently).

After the hearing, RSPCA inspector Sue Craig described the jail sentence as a “satisfying conclusion” to the case.

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A man has appeared in court today in connection with the death of a horse at last year’s Appleby Horse Fair.

A piebald horse drowned on the second day of Appleby Fair — Friday, 8 June 2007 — after being dragged underwater during the annual fair’s ritual “washing” in the River Eden.

The incident took place in full view of the public and RSPCA inspectors. It caused public outrage after graphic pictures of the distressed horse slipping into the water were printed in the national press.

Ian Deer, 21, of Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham — previously from Folkestone in Kent — was arrested on 13 November 2007 by RSPCA inspectors and officers from Cumbria Police. He was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to the horse, under section 4(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, charges to which he pleaded guilty.

Deer was due to appear in Penrith Magistrates’ Court yesterday, but failed to turn up.

But he did appear in Penrith Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, 21 February), in a case brought jointly between the RSPCA and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The Penrith magistrates today agreed the facts of the case, which was adjourned for pre-sentence reports.

A hearing will be held at Carlisle Magistrates Court Thursday 13 March.

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A man has been charged following the death of a horse at this year’s Appleby Fair.

A coloured horse drowned while being “washed” in the River Eden on Friday, 8 June, the second day of the annual horse fair. It slipped and drowned after being dragged under water — to the horror of the watching public.

Twenty one-year-old Ian Deer, from Folkestone in Kent, was arrested yesterday (Tuesday 13 November) by officers from Cumbria Police and the RSPCA. He was formally charged under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal at Folkestone Police station.

Ian Deer’s arrest follows what the RSPCA describe as an “exhaustive’ investigation.

The Appleby Fair horse drowning caused public outrage after graphic pictures of the piebald slipping into the water were printed in the national press.

At the time, the RSPCA strongly refuted claims that it did not do enough to enforce the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Today, RSPCA inspector Brian Jeffries said: “This was a shocking and distressing incident. The horse was pulled out of the river at the time, but sadly it was too late.”

He added: “Since then, we have worked closely with Cumbria Police in carrying out an exhaustive investigation.”

Ian Deer is due to appear at Penrith Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 28 November, to enter a plea.

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The RSPCA has refuted claims that it did not enforce the Animal Welfare Act 2006 strongly enough at this year’s Appleby Horse Fair, where a horse drowned in the River Eden.

Washing horses in the river is a long-held ritual at the fair, but on Friday, 8 June a piebald slipped and drowned after being dragged into the water. Pictures of the incident appeared widely in the national press and caused public outrage.

RSPCA chief inspector Brian Jeffries said: “I get angry when the RSPCA is criticised because DEFRA has the statutory responsibility for upholding the Act. But things are improving at the fair — this year we had six recorded crimes on the back of the new legislation. We’re in a much stronger position to intervene now.”

He added: “Before the Act, we had to wait until a vet declared an animal to be suffering before we could step in to help it.”

This year’s fair at Appleby (7–13 June) was the first since the Animal Welfare Act 2006 came into force on 6 April. The new legislation makes it a legal requirement for owners to meet the needs of their animals, and allows vets to intervene and prosecute earlier.

But vet Roger Baker, joint chairman of Conservative Animal Welfare (CAW), told H&H of his concern over how the law is enforced.

“The Act covers most of the things that went wrong at Appleby, so why haven’t the RSPCA done something about it?” he said.

But he added: “A charity should not be left to enforce the law.”

The RSPCA erected a marquee at the fair to educate travellers about the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.

Chief inspector Jeffries admitted: “It’s going to need some explaining, but the majority of the travellers are compliant.

“I’m really upset about the drowning, but you have to remember there are invariably deaths at the Grand National and there were even two deaths at Badminton this year. And both of these are governed and regulated – Appleby isn’t. Nobody manages the event. It just happens.”

Mr Jeffries said his major concern was now the steep concrete path into the River Eden, where horses’ front legs can buckle beneath them. The RSPCA has now secured funding to build a permanent ramp, and is awaiting planning permission from the council.

As H&H went to press on Monday, the RSPCA confirmed that no arrests had been made over the drowning, but that it was “following up leads”.

Read this news story in full, including the views of other animal welfare charities including the ILPH and Redwings Horse Sanctuary, in the current issue of Horse & Hound (21 June, ’07)

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Witnesses are being asked to come forward after a horse drowned at Appleby Horse Fair last Friday (8 June).

Crowds of visitors at the annual travellers’ fair in Westmoreland, Cumbria, watched in horror as a man lost hold of his horse after leading him into the River Eden to be washed. The horse then slipped beneath the surface in a basin of deep water, and the man left the scene.

The piebald horse died despite the efforts of on-lookers who plunged in to retrieve the stricken animal.

Inspector Lee Skelton of Appleby Police told H&H: “We’ve got photos and film of the incident so we’re working to establish the identity of the man. We have two or three suggested identities.”

RSPCA chief inspector Brian Jeffries added: “It’s a shocking incident and we are extremely disappointed that it happened. Those responsible for the horse have not yet come forward, but we are working with the Appleby Fair community and Cumbria Constabulary to track them down.”

A 12-strong team of RSPCA inspectors is working with Eden District Council and the police to promote animal welfare and to minimise suffering at the event.

It is a tradition of the ancient Romany fair to wash horses in the river before each day’s trading. The fair is due to finish on 14 June.

Will welfare organisations put a stop to Appleby? Find out their views and read more about the fair’s history of problems, in next week’s H&H

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High visibility safety panels are to be distributed to visitors of Appleby Fair (7 – 14 June) this year in a bid to reduce the number of road accidents.

The reflective red and yellow strips have been produced by Cumbria and Durham police forces and local councils. Owners of the distinctive “bow top” horse-drawn carriages, which predominate at the fair, will be encouraged to place the panels on the rear of their carriages.

Ruth Scott, Principal Travellers’ Liaison Officer for Durham County Council, told H&H: “The response from the travellers has been very good — we have very few of the panels left.”

PC Dave Nixon, road casualty reduction officer for Durham Constabulary, said: “Most bow tops have a green canvas covering which can cause them to merge with the surrounding countryside, so to minimise the risk we are encouraging travellers to use the reflective markers.”

He added: “This will ensure they have a much better chance of being seen by following motorists, especially on the faster, busier roads such as the A66.”

Last year David Ward of Coxhoe, Durham, was killed when his carriage collided with a Vauxhall Astra on the A66 near Stainmore.

Police and traveller liaison staff will also be distributing leaflets containing practical road safety advice.

Ms Scott said: “It’s not illegal for horse-drawn carriages to go on the roads so we’re just raising people’s awareness. We included travellers in the consultation — we have a very good engagement with them.”

The annual gathering of Romany horse traders has existed since 1685 and has grown in size and popularity over recent years. The horses traded are primarily piebald and skewbald heavyweight cobs.

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