A legal case involving a dog walker who was injured by cattle is a reminder to horse owners of their responsibilities when public footpaths lead through grazing fields.

A farmer was fined £5,260 having pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act in a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), when a dog walker was trampled by cattle on a public footpath.

Litigation solicitor Bridget Sanger of Clark Willmott LLP told H&H that although there is no HSE guidance for horses, the sample principles will apply and the onus is on the horse owner to assess the risk of turning out equines in areas accessed by the public.

“Landowners, including farmers and horse owners, have a legal duty to ensure the safety of anyone on their land, including walkers using public rights of way,” said Ms Sanger.

Equine lawyer Hannah Bradley, partner at Aria Grace Law CIC, told H&H that if a walker is injured by a horse on a public footpath, a claim for damages could be pursued. The court will apply a three-stage test in which the claimant must prove that the horse was likely to cause damage or if the horse caused damage, it was likely to be severe; that the damage related to a characteristic not normally found in horses and that the owner knew about the characteristic that caused the injury.

H&H asked Ms Bradley whether having warning signs at fields with public footpaths could be admitting liability and she said generally speaking, it is not possible to disclaim liability for personal injury.

“A sign that says something like ‘horse may bite’ could arguably create evidence that the owner had knowledge of a certain characteristic, but also it could be used to argue that the claimant assumed the risk,” she said.

Bulls over 10 months old cannot be kept in fields with public footpaths, but there is no restriction on stallions or colts – Ms Bradley said owners should keep in mind the knowledge test the court will apply.

“It is likely that certain behaviours which might cause injury could be said to be more prevalent – and known about – in a stallion or colt,” she said.

Ms Bradley added that owners should give consideration to public liability insurance for horses, taking into account their personal circumstances.

“It is imperative to make sure that the policy has sufficient coverage for the full possible loss caused by an injury caused by a horse. Claims relating to life-changing injuries can run into millions of pounds,” she said.

British Horse Society director of access Mark Weston reminded owners that if they keep horses in fields crossed by public rights of way they have a responsibility to help ensure the route remains safe for everyone.

“It’s vitally important to understand what type of right of way runs through your land to begin with – whether this is a footpath for pedestrian access only, or a bridleway or byway, or restricted byway or bridleway, which can mean cyclists and fellow equestrians can use the route. This helps you understand who can pass through your land and what you need to do to ensure they can do so safely,” he said.

“Owners have a responsibility to make sure that horses grazing in these fields are suitable to be around members of the public and not known to behave dangerously. Extra care should be taken when deciding which horses are turned out in these fields, and we strongly advise against keeping stallions in fields where equestrians have rights of way.

“It’s also important that gates, fencing and stiles along the route are well maintained so people can pass through safely and horses cannot escape if a gate is accidentally left open.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news that horse owners need to know about, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Cow injury legal case has implications for horse owners

Dispute over dog in divorce case highlights why including horses in pre-nups could be useful

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A divorce case involving a dog has raised a talking point about how courts view animals in marital disputes – and highlighted that including horses in pre-nuptial agreements could be beneficial.

In the case of FI v DO, a dispute between a husband and wife over who should retain ownership of the family dog, the judge ruled in favour of the wife, who had solely cared for the dog for 18 months.

Pets are considered by courts as chattels – as stated by the judge in this case – comparative to a personal possession like jewellery or a car. But the judge also said the wife’s evidence was “far more in tune with someone who has the welfare of the dog at heart”.

“Few truths in family law land harder than discovering that, in divorce, your horse ranks legally alongside the furniture. The family court makes no distinction between a horse and a motorbike; both are property to be valued, divided or sold like any other asset,” equine lawyer Hannah Bradley and family lawyer Karim Assaad of Aria Grace Law told H&H, adding that in FI v DO “the judge could not have been clearer”.

“He said: ‘It matters not who paid for the dog. The dog is a chattel.’ In the same paragraph, he was concerned that the case ‘veered into the realms of a Children Act application’, rejecting the idea that welfare or emotional factors could determine outcome.

“Some commentators have read that decision as a turning point, a gentle move towards animal welfare and emotional attachment. We do not agree. The judge’s later references to who had ‘principally looked after the dog’ and where the dog felt at home were not an appeal to sentiment, but a recognition of fact.

“The wife had cared for the dog for 18 months and so in deciding between the parties, the court favoured the wife and consequently declared that she owned the dog in law.”

Ms Bradley and Mr Assaad said that although the judgment was “written with empathy it did not alter the legal test” to be applied.

“Pets remain chattels and the test is ownership. The fate of pets in divorce proceedings are decided by evidence, not affection,” they said.

“The same principles that applied in the FI v DO case applies with equal force to horses. Upon divorce, a horse may be sold and the proceeds divided or retained by one party who buys out the other or if the court is invited, having heard evidence, to determine who should remain in possession of the horse, it will do so on the basis of principles of ownership and not on welfare assessments.”

Solicitor Jacqui Dark of Equine Law UK told H&H that in her view, FI v DO was an example where the judge used his discretion to decide to whom the dog was given as part of the divorce proceedings, when the wife had not solely bought the dog but had become his main carer.

“My view is that this is correct, as it is in the best interest of the dog and the courts are quite right to take his welfare into account,” said Mrs Dark.

“The same would happen with any other animal in divorce proceedings. So, for example, if a husband purchased a horse and the wife did the daily care, overseeing vets, riding and training etc, it is possible that the judge – where there is a dispute as to where the horse is left after divorce proceedings – could allow ownership of the horse to be with the wife as part of the divorce settlement.”

Mrs Dark added that with a high-value horse, one party could ask the court to order its sale, an option the court could consider.

“Ultimately, the court can consider welfare and this is an important factor to take into account. Vets/other professionals can be called on to give expert evidence if necessary,” she said.

“If there is a pre-nup, this may change things and you should seek advice from a family law specialist on this point.”

Legal director Jennifer Headon of Birketts told H&H that pets have been a “hot topic” in family law and believes that including animals in pre- and post-nuptial agreements can be useful.

“There’s no reason not to factor pets into these agreements. It’s an emotive topic for clients, and you can save yourself a lot of emotional and financial toll,” she said.

“It might include who would keep the horses post-separation – or how the expenses will be divided. Although pre-nuptial agreements are not legally binding, they are generally given significant weight by the court if they’re properly entered into.

“I would advise they are drawn up by a solicitor, and one of the factors taken into consideration is whether the parties have had independent legal advice.”

British Horse Society (BHS) director of horse care and welfare Gemma Stanford told H&H divorce and separation can be an incredibly difficult time, and “it’s understandable that practical considerations around horses may not always feel like a priority”.

“However, as recent cases have shown, horses can become part of wider legal discussions, making it important for owners to keep clear records of ownership, financial contributions and day-to-day care, such as who pays for livery, veterinary fees and other ongoing costs,” she said.

“Seeking appropriate legal advice can help reduce uncertainty and stress for all involved. For BHS gold members, our legal helpline is available to provide confidential, practical guidance on a wide range of legal matters, including situations where personal circumstances may impact ownership”.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Horse sellers beware? How consumer law could mean dealers get the raw end of the deal

Court case over £21,000 deposit highlights need for contracts in horse sales

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A rescue centre owner who was banned from keeping animals for a life after two horses in her care had to be put down has had her sentence upheld following an appeal.

Lynn Haydon-Williams, 65, of Redgate, Hyde, Greater Manchester, was given the lifetime ban after she was found guilty of 13 animal welfare offences relating to horses, goats and a coatimundi (a member of the raccoon family) and sentenced on 28 March 2024. She was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.

Haydon-Williams lodged an appeal against her convictions and sentence. On 3 July 2025 a judge at Manchester Crown Court quashed two of the convictions; failing to provide a suitable environment and keeping an animal listed as an invasive alien species, relating to the coatimundi.

The other 11 convictions were upheld; five relating to horses, three relating to goats, three relating to pigs and a charge relating to a hedgehog and tortoises. Haydon-Williams failed to get veterinary treatment for a gelding named Casper who was suffering from laminitis, and did not get dental treatment for Casper, a mare called Gemma and stallion called Deio. She failed to get the necessary treatment for Gemma’s sarcoids and did not address the cause of her lameness, and she did not meet Deio’s needs.

An RSPCA spokesperson said the charity identified several welfare issues at Haywill Animal Rescue and Therapy Centre’s sites at Glossop in Derbyshire and Broadbottom in Tameside, Greater Manchester during visits in 2020 and 2021.

“On several visits to the sites the charity’s officers found horses in poor conditions, one who was suffering with multiple tumours, and lame goats. There were also overweight pigs with hoof problems and arthritic coatimundi,” said the spokesperson.

At the previous hearing, the court heard that the RSPCA advised Haydon-Williams to seek veterinary care during visits to both sites.

On one occasion in May 2021, RSPCA Inspector Jessica Araujo found “goats with overgrown feet struggling to walk normally and grossly obese pigs”.

“Haydon-Williams was told that veterinary advice was that the horse covered with skin tumours should have been put down to end their suffering. But the equine, called Gemma, was not euthanised until after the RSPCA and Derbyshire Police secured a warrant to enter the centre in September 2022 when 10 goats, three horses, a pig and a coati were all removed,” said the RSPCA spokesperson.

“Another horse, called Casper, who was suffering with a severe foot condition was also put down as well as a pig suffering with overgrown feet. An emaciated pygmy goat and the coatimundi passed away later.”

In mitigation at the previous trial it was said that Haydon-Williams did “good work for many people for a long time” at the centre, but Covid had impacted on her finances lessening her ability to look after the animals.

The judge ruled Haydon-Williams’ sentence should remain, stating that it was “entirely appropriate”.

“Despite the poor condition of the animals we have no doubt that the defendant is someone who cares deeply about animals, including these animals,” the judge said.

Haydon-Williams was ordered to pay an additional £600 towards the costs of her appeal. The surviving animals, a horse and 10 goats, were rehomed by the RSPCA.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Experts call for change as animal welfare law system is lacking

Teenage pony left tied up in a car park with infected, maggot-infested wound had to be put down *warning: upsetting picture*

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Argentinian polo star Adolfo Cambiaso, 46, and his La Dolfina team have won a legal battle in the Southern District of Florida, securing a final judgment for the return of cloned ponies that were sold without his knowledge.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest polo players of all time, the 10-goal Argentinian has amassed nearly 1,000 career points and was recently featured in Netflix’s Polo.

The case focused on clones of Cambiaso’s most successful horse, Dolfina Cuartetera – ranked first in Argentina’s Polo Hall of Fame – who died in May 2023, at the age of 22. Several of her clones have gone on to compete at the highest level, featuring in the prestigious Argentine Triple Crown. Among Cambiaso and his son Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso’s top mounts are Cuartetera clones B06 and B09.

The lawsuit alleged that Cambiaso’s longtime business partner, Alan Meeker, secretly sold Cuartetera’s clones to a rival polo team without his knowledge, despite their decade-long partnership. The claims included breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.

Polo remains the most accepting equestrian sport when it comes to cloning; Argentina imposes few regulations and no restrictions on the number of cloned ponies allowed in competition – leaving teams and breeders to set their own rules.

Cambiaso has been at the forefront of this revolution, helping shape cloning into a multi-million-dollar industry. In 2006, after his stallion Aiken Cura suffered a fatal injury, he preserved a skin sample in a Buenos Aires laboratory. In 2010, using that harvested sample, he successfully produced Aiken Cura E01 with the help of Alan Meeker and his company Crestview Genetics. The two parties then entered into a contract to clone more of Cambiaso’s polo ponies.

That year, Meeker and Cambiaso included a three-month-old Cuartetera clone in a high-profile auction, who sold for $800,000 – the highest price ever paid for a polo horse. The buyers were a partnership led by Argentinian businessman and amateur polo player Ernesto Gutiérrez, a close friend of Cambiaso.

Following the auction, Gutiérrez urged Cambiaso and Meeker to reconsider their strategy, arguing that selling clones risked diminishing Crestview’s exclusivity over Cambiaso’s prized bloodlines. Instead, he proposed bringing the clone he had bought back into Crestview, securing his position as a third partner, and shifting the focus to selling only foals of clones rather than the clones themselves – a policy that remains in place today.

But following a nine-day jury trial in May 2024, Cambiaso’s legal team – Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP (WTO) – demonstrated that Meeker had secretly sold Cuartetera clones to an unnamed Russian businessman for $800,000 each, with additional sales planned.

As a result, Meeker and Crestview Genetics have been ordered to return all La Dolfina clones and tissue samples to Cambiaso. The opposing team argued that Meeker acted within his agreement with Cambiaso.

“For Adolfo Cambiaso and his family, this is an important decision coming after a four-year multi-jurisdictional court battle,” said lead counsel, Habib Nasrullah.

“These horses are priceless, and the family is committed to the process of recovering their cloned horses and preserving this part of the legacy Adolfo built for his children.”

Diego Bucking, personal counsel to Cambiaso, added: “This case represents an important development in horse cloning.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘We’re trying to make it available to everyone’: cloned ponies on the rise

Adolfo Cambiaso is thought to have in excess of 100 clones on the ground

British Olympian partners Chilli Morning clone to young horse world title

‘It’s a little spooky!’ – William Fox-Pitt rides two clones of his former equine superstars

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A group of neglected ponies suffered “extensive” toxic burns leaving them with “crocodile-like skin” when their owner allowed them to fly-graze on land on which St John’s wort was growing.

John Darren Ware, 47, of Blakemere Crescent, Portsmouth, was sentenced at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 12 August, having pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences at a previous hearing.

On 28 July the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare attended council-owned conservation land in Farlington, Portsmouth, “heavily contaminated with dangerous weeds”, where eight ponies were grazing without permission. There was no evidence of additional hay, feed, or shelter.

An RSPCA spokesperson said three of the ponies had “extensive facial lesions” that were thick, raised, brown, and crusted, covering the muzzle and encircling both eyes, as well as raised crusting lesions over their bodies. The other five ponies had less severe lesions to their muzzles.

“The vet who examined the horses was concerned because of all the horses having similar lesions and suspected they had been in contact with a toxic substance,” said the spokesman, adding that tests revealed all eight ponies “were not in good health with evidence of inflammation and a chronic infection.

“The ponies also showed evidence of burns to the non-pigmented skin that is consistent with damage by UV light. The vet concluded that this was caused by exposure or contact with St John’s wort.”

The vet report said that certain weeds, like St John’s wort, contain “photodynamic agents that when the horse has contact or ingests the weed there is an exacerbated reaction to sunlight causing burns to the skin. This would be termed a primary photosensitisation.”

“Other weeds, such as ragwort, can cause damage to organs. The resulting damage prevents the filtering of photosensitive waste products so they are retained in other areas of the body, such as the skin, which causes what is known as a secondary photosensitisation,” read the report.

Tests showed that “no signs of the physiological impact of secondary photosensitivity so it was concluded St John’s wort had caused issues for the horses”.

The vet report added that horses suffering from photosensitisation should be removed from direct sunlight, prevented from further contact with the photodynamic agent, protected from the sun with shelter, and burns and injuries treated. It was also noted that burns around the muzzle are “particularly painful because it is highly sensitive.”

Hampshire’s RSPCA chief inspector Paul Williams said the RSPCA is grateful to World Horse Welfare for helping the ponies and that “thankfully they’ve now recovered”.

“Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment they need when they need it. Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy,” he said.

World Horse Welfare field officer Penny Baker said “this was a truly horrific case”.

“I do not think I have ever seen ponies with so much crocodile-like skin around their muzzles. They must have been in excruciating pain,” she said.

“Keeping a horse or pony well is about much more than just food and water – it’s also making sure they do not have access to poisonous plants, can be protected from the elements and of course get prompt veterinary treatment when they need it.

“We are very grateful to the member of the public who alerted us to these ponies, and we were pleased to be able to work with the RSPCA to remove them from this appalling state of neglect.”

In mitigation, Ware was said to be unaware of the severity of the situation and thought it was sunburn. He said he had applied sun cream to one of the horses about a week before the visit by the charities but did not seek veterinary help.

Ware was banned from keeping equines for 10 years. He was ordered to pay £750 costs and a victim surcharge, and to carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The ponies were signed into the care of the RSPCA and went into private boarding for rehoming.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Pony found in ‘shocking state’ beside dead companion makes full recovery

Horses rescued from ‘field of death’ reunited with those who went to their aid

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A starved pony found in a “shocking state” beside his dead field companion has made a full recovery – and their owner has been banned from keeping equines.

Shane Paul Sims, 36, of Gilpin Close, Kingswood, Bristol, was sentenced at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 5 August, after pleading guilty to two animal welfare offences

Between 2 November and 4 December 2023 Sims caused unnecessary suffering to ponies Soul and Denz, and between 2 October and 4 December 2023 he failed to meet the ponies’ needs.

An RSPCA spokesperson said concerns were raised about the two ponies to the charity by callers, who reported that one pony was dead and the other “very underweight”, on land in Westerleigh, Gloucestershire.

When RSPCA officers arrived they found Denz dead, and Soul with his “bones visible”. There was no evidence of supplementary feeding or hay in the muddy field.

A vet report stated that Soul’s poor body condition score showed he “may have been on an unacceptable diet, especially for a young horse”.

“This will have led to hunger, muscle breakdown, lethargy and potentially poor development. It is estimated that this weight loss and associated suffering caused by the aforementioned will have occurred over a period of approximately two months,” the report said.

The vet found that Soul had thrush, caused by standing in wet conditions and lack of routine hoof care. He had a worm burden, but “showed nothing abnormal to account for the body condition aside from prolonged starvation”.

The RSPCA spokesman said a post-mortem exam showed that Denz “was starved and had a high worm burden”.

The vet said that it was their opinion that Denz “had suffered”.

“Although it is impossible to say a specific time, I do not believe an animal could have reached a state of such emaciation within less than one month. In terms of what suffering Denz would have felt, I am confident that this would not have been a comfortable experience,” they said.

RSPCA inspector Dan Hatfield, who investigated the case, thanked the members of the public who raised concerns about Soul’s welfare, “enabling his rescue”.

“There is never an excuse to leave animals to suffer. Owners have a duty and responsibility to ensure the needs of their animals are met, this includes making sure they have a suitable diet and the care they need to stay healthy,” he said.

“When Soul was rescued he was in a shocking state. It was heartbreaking to see him in such an awful condition alongside his dead friend. Thankfully he’s now recovered and looking amazing after getting the help and care he needed.”

Soul was given care by charity HorseWorld where he has made “a full recovery”.

In mitigation, it was said that “this was not deliberate cruelty” by Sims. He had no knowledge of horses and knew he should have done more.

Sims was banned from keeping equines for 10 years, and this cannot be appealed for eight years. He was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended by 24 months, and ordered to pay £200.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

Young rider who excelled in dressage on RSPCA rescue takes on pony saved from shipping container – and wins

Abandoned pony who followed the postman rescued from children’s playground

‘Nothing short of miraculous’ transformation of filly found near death, shod and tied to bike wrapped in barbed wire

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A dispute over the return of a deposit when the sale of a pony fell through could have been avoided had a contract been in place, a judge has ruled.

In June 2022, Theresa Bearman agreed to buy 138cm showjumper Letterkeen Bettyn from Raquel Eldridge-Keenan for £85,000. Mrs Bearman paid a £21,500 deposit stating that she would “pay the rest following a vetting” – and a message from Ms Eldridge-Keenan said that if the pony “breaks a leg etc, I will refund all of it.”

It was agreed that “Betty” would move to her new home at the end of October, after she jumped at the Horse of the Year Show. But on 12 October, days after the competition, a vet abandoned the pre-purchase examination when it was deemed during the exam that Betty was lame. Mrs Bearman said she would not go ahead with the purchase and asked for her deposit back. But Mrs Eldridge-Keenan said the money had been “a holding deposit”.

In a court hearing on 20 March 2024, the judge ruled that “the vetting was unsuccessful and Mrs Bearman was entitled to treat the contract as discharged and is entitled to the return of the money she paid by way of deposit”.

Betty returned to successful competition soon after the vetting, and the judge said her success “before and after the vetting speaks for itself” – but that this was not the issue of the case.

“This unfortunate and expensive case should never have arisen,” he said, adding that he encouraged buyers and sellers to use standard contracts in private sales.

“It will not resolve every dispute, but it would go a long way to making the rights and responsibilities clearer for all involved.”

Jacqui Dark of Equine Law UK, who represented Mrs Bearman, told H&H that her client hopes her case will raise awareness on the importance of contracts.

“A lot of this was based on trust, and sadly that’s where these things always end in litigation, because you have nothing in writing, you’re relying on text messages, and it just gets really messy,” she said.

A representative for Mrs Eldridge-Keenan told H&H that Betty has continued to perform and this was the basis “for which we believe we were justified”.

“Ultimately a judge had a different opinion, and we respect the legal system, but we don’t necessarily agree with the judgement and we don’t think we’re necessarily wrong. The continued performance of the pony is testament of its wellness,” the representative said, but agreed that had there been a contract, there would “have been no question or interpretation”.

Ms Dark said she has received “more and more” calls about deposit disputes in the past five years – and that these can be avoidable with contracts. She recommends that these set out terms around deposits; whether they are refundable and on what basis, signed by both parties and dates.

Oonagh Meyer, British Horse Society head of operations for approved centres, said buying a horse can be exciting but to get the most “positive outcome for you, the seller and the horse, it’s important to make careful considerations throughout the purchasing process” – and that owners should have signed receipts for money and consider a sales contract, including arrangements for deposits.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, the Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

How to protect yourself when buying or selling horses: legal experts share helpful advice

‘There’s no point pretending it’s all sunshine’: the pitfalls to avoid when co-owning horses

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A Shetland pony breeder who had a “veneer of respectability within the showing world” has been sent to prison for allowing 19 ponies to suffer, eight of which had to be put down.

Retired school teacher Janet Marr, 73, of Sandall Park Rise, Doncaster, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (28 May) after pleading guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

In July 2023 World Horse Welfare was contacted by a member with concerns over ponies being kept at Wrancarr Lane, Moss, Doncaster. When the charity’s field officers attended they found 19 Shetland ponies in “varying states of neglect”, and requested the assistance of the RSPCA to investigate further.

A World Horse Welfare spokesperson said “most of the ponies were overweight, many had overgrown hooves, and a number showed signs of extreme laminitis”.

“Tragically, the severity of neglect resulted in six of the ponies needing to be euthanised onsite due to the pain and suffering caused by chronic laminitis,” he said.

An RSPCA spokesperson added that an equine vet concluded in their witness report that all the problems and suffering seen in the ponies “could all have been avoided by reasonable practical means, and that they are of the expert opinion that Marr did not take reasonable steps to meet their basic needs”.

The other 13 ponies were taken to World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm, but “despite all efforts”, two more were put down owing to their health issues. The remaining ponies have been “successfully rehabilitated”.

The court heard that Marr had been breeding the animals for showing, and she accepted what she was accused of. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison and given a lifetime ban on keeping all animals. She cannot apply for the ban to be lifted for 12 years. A deprivation order was granted for two Shetlands that remained in her care.

“I am absolutely delighted to see the increased sentencing guidelines for animal cruelty that we successfully campaigned for, being used to good effect. We hope that we see more uses of lifetime bans in future cases,” said World Horse Welfare field officer Sarah Tucker.

“The defendant had a veneer of respectability within the showing world with two of her ponies well-looked after and in show condition, but she allowed the others to suffer in such a dreadful way, despite having received a previous caution for identical offences. So many of this group of Shetlands were suffering with laminitis and the owner will now see the consequences of allowing this to happen.”

Adam Cummins, World Horse Welfare Penny Farm manager, added that “ponies grazing endless, lush grass may seem idyllic, but the reality is very different”.

“Allowed to breed unchecked, and with uncontrolled grazing, the ever-growing herd suffered horrendously with a number of conditions, and laminitis was rife,” he said.

“It has been a long road with the surviving ponies – it takes us longer to turn around an overweight pony than one that is underweight. The number that didn’t make it shows just how devastating laminitis can be.”

You might also be interested in:

‘A really sad case’: horses had to be dug free from stables – one had not been out for two years

Owner who ‘forfeited right to have horses’ after two died admits breaching ban

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three people have received suspended prison sentences after ponies at an “animal sanctuary” that “offered equine-assisted therapy” were found suffering.

Sarah Jayne Baker, 33, Darren Laker, 45, and James Baker, 54, all from Par, Cornwall, were sentenced at Truro Crown Court on 29 February, for offences relating to animals at Family Nest Therapy in Par.

The RSPCA and other agencies made a number of visits and interventions in relation to complaints made over the welfare of the animals under the trio’s care.

A concerned member of the public contacted the Mare and Foal Sanctuary in 2021. After monitoring the situation over several months, the charity escalated the case to the RSPCA, which pursued prosecution.

The RSPCA found some animals in poor condition, with their ribs clearly visible, and others suffering from untreated conditions such as lameness or overgrown hooves.

“We found three Shetland ponies tied up outside a stable. There was a black gelding, mini Shetland, in poor bodily condition called Shadow, a dun mini Shetland gelding, in poor bodily condition called Walter and a black/roan mini Shetland stallion in poor bodily condition called Sven,” said RSPCA inspector Claire Ryder.

She added that it was a hot day and the three Shetland ponies and a cob “were out in the full heat with no water”.

“We walked to a field and found a small paddock with poor fencing. There was no grass and just a bald area of dry mud,” said Ms Ryder.

“The plants and docks had been eaten. There was hay but it was dry and mouldy in the middle and it was not edible. There was water, but no shelter or shade for the ponies.”

In this field, they found two Shetland ponies, both with gunky eyes and in very poor bodily condition, and a part-bred Shetland with an eye issue who was in poor to fair bodily condition.

At an earlier hearing, Sarah Baker admitted six offences under the Animal Welfare Act, while James Baker admitted to five, relating to 14 horses. Laker pleaded guilty to one offence, relating to one horse.

At the sentencing, Sarah Baker said she should have contacted a vet sooner, while Laker apologised for his disregard. James Baker said that while ignorance is no defence, he knew little about animals and should have taken them to vets straight away.

Both Bakers were sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, and were disqualified from owning all animals for life.

Laker was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and disqualified from owning equines for 10 years, with no right to appeal for five years.

Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson said: “It’s vitally important that people make sure their animals are cared for properly. I’d like to say a big thank you to the officers and staff from The Horse Trust, Donkey Sanctuary and Mare and Foal Sanctuary for their assistance in this case.

“We will always look into reports of animals suffering and we depend on the public to be our eyes and ears and report any concerns to us.”

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s equine welfare outreach and advice team provided evidence in the case, and its staff spent more than 14 months nursing a large group of equines back to health.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s senior welfare advisor Rebecca Sherrell said the case has “really stuck” with her.

“Many of the equines were in a very poor state with conjunctivitis, lice, malnourishment, worm burden, overgrown hooves, heart conditions, alopecia, anaemia and chronic inflammation,” she said.

“Their bones showed through their skin, and some were covered in paint brush marks from children’s parties. We also believe some were showing signs of severe depression. It was shocking to see, especially at a place which claimed to offer equine-assisted therapy.”

Three Shetlands, who have fully recovered, have a home for life at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, with the remaining nine equines moving to The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire.

Jeanette Allen, chief executive of The Horse Trust, said: “The mini herd of Shetlands have captured everyone’s hearts here at our sanctuary and we are working incredibly hard to make sure their trust in people continues to grow so that we can give them the best possible future.

“It’s always incredibly gratifying when charities are able to work together collaboratively to get the best outcome for the animals we all care about.

“Overall, the ponies and horses are all doing really well. Sven and Olaf are two in particular getting additional expert support from our behavioural care team to continue to help rebuild their trust in people.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Two women who allowed emaciated five horses to suffer – two had to be put down and one was so underweight he had a “thigh gap” – have been sentenced.

Charlie Virginia Hingley, 27, of Netherton, West Midlands, and Lucia Kate Stanton, 19, of no fixed address but linked to King Alfred Walk, Leeds, were sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 25 September.

At an earlier hearing Hingley had pleaded guilty to four offences of causing suffering to horses Sonny, Celly, Luna, and Bobby, between December 2022 and January 2023. Stanton admitted to causing suffering to miniature Shetland Waffles during the same period.

On 22 January witnesses contacted an equine bailiff after they saw a tractor being used to lift a collapsed horse, Celly, in a field in the vicinity of School Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The bailiff attended and requested that Hingley contact a vet immediately. When the vet attended, a second horse, Sonny, was found collapsed and was in “such a poor state” he had to be put down on welfare grounds immediately.

**Warning: upsetting image**

Celly, who was in an emaciated condition, was relinquished by Hingley to the bailiff and removed from the site. The RSPCA was later called to check on the welfare of Luna, Bobby and Waffles, and RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith attended the field on 26 January, during which she called a vet over concerns for all three horses.

“My initial concern was for piebald mare Luna, and young Shetland Waffles, because both looked to be in poor body condition visually, despite fluffy winter coats, and Luna had rain scald on her back,” said Ms Smith.

“After taking a closer look at Luna, I could see she was significantly underweight. I could see her ribs, pelvis, spine and a shelf at the top of the ribs, and when I put my hands along Waffles’ back, neck and pelvis, I could feel all these structures easily with no muscle along the sides of the spine.”

Ms Smith was also concerned about the condition of colt Bobby, who was in a second field.

“When I asked Hingley to remove Bobby’s rugs so I could have a better look at him, I saw that his spine protruded with a clear obvious shelf each side of the spine, his pelvic bones protruded and were sharp, he had a ‘thigh gap’ with little muscle left on the legs, he walked with a weak gait,” she said.

An RSPCA spokesman said the vet confirmed the horses were suffering, and Hingley signed Luna and Bobby to the RSPCA. Waffles belonged to Stanton, and as she was not present, he was taken into possession by the police and placed into the RSPCA’s care. The three were taken to an equine hospital for further examinations and treatment.

In the vet’s witness statement, Lunda, Bobby and Waffles were described as having a body condition score of one out of five, the most likely cause a high worm burden. Waffles’ and Bobby’s coats were described as “dull and scurfy with a heavy lice infestation”, and Luna was “suffering with extensive rain scald over the back and rump”.

“Sadly, despite the vet’s best efforts, Luna’s condition deteriorated and the veterinary team made the decision to put her down to prevent her suffering further,” said the RSPCA spokesman.

Ms Smith added that the vet confirmed the pasture management of the fields was “totally inadequate with extensive faecal contamination” and that extremely high worm burdens had caused the horses’ poor body condition.

“Worm and parasite management in horses can be easily managed with an effective parasitecontrol programme, so it’s very sad that neither owner identified that the horses were underweight, nor had a parasite control plan in place which would have prevented this needless suffering,” she said.

“I am very pleased that thankfully, Waffles and Bobby made good recoveries in RSPCA care, and Celly has made a good recovery in the care of the equine bailiff. During the winter months, I would urge horse owners to get in the routine of using their hands tocheck their animals’ body condition through their winter coats, as well as regularly removing rugs to monitor their weight and check for sores.”

In mitigation it was heard that Hingley showed remorse and was of good character. Stanton’s mental health was raised as an issue.

Bobby has since been rehomed through the British Horse Society’s (BHS) second chance programme, a collaborative rehoming initiative between the BHS and welfare charities to give rescued horses and ponies a “second chance at life” through a BHS-approved yard.

Hingley was banned from owning equines for life, with no appeal allowed for 10 years. She was given two 12-week prison sentences to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months. She was given a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and must pay £400 in costs. Stanton was banned from owning equines for 10 years, with no appeal for five years. She must pay a £300 fine, £400 costs, and a £120 victim surcharge.

Hingley and Stanton’s bans include being disqualified from dealing, transporting, or arranging the transport of horses.

You might also be interested in:

‘She failed in her duty and animals suffered’: woman’s life-ban on keeping animals remains after appeal quashed

‘Hard work and patience trump buying success’: RSPCA pony and child who started riding in lockdown take national title

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A woman who failed to care for more than 130 horses is facing a suspended sentence and a lifetime ban on keeping animals after her appeal was dismissed by a judge.

Christine Kelly, 61, of Portsmouth Road, Ripley, was found guilty of 15 offences under the Animal Welfare Act following a trial last summer. The case related to what has been described as “one of the biggest animal welfare operations ever in the UK”.

She was found guilty of failing to meet the needs of 131 equines, and was also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to horses, dogs and goats.

She had claimed through the investigation that she was not responsible for all the animals found on site. After her sentencing, she launched an appeal.

The appeal hearing took eight days at Guildford Crown Court and on Friday (23 June), it was was dismissed by a judge.

This means she was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for each charge to run concurrently. She is also disqualified for keeping all animals for life, which cannot be appealed for 10 years, and ordered to pay a £122 victim surcharge. Kelly has also been served with a deprivation order, meaning the remaining animals in charity care can now be rehomed.

Christine Kelly appeal: what was the case about?

Hundreds of animals were found living in poor conditions when Surrey Police executed a warrant at a farm in Ripley, Surrey, on 9 January 2019, as part of an RSPCA-led investigation.

The multi-agency operation involved many charities and vets. They found herds of ponies, many riddled with worms, living in fields with hazardous metal and broken fencing in thick mud. Two barns were full of animals, many standing on feet of waste and faeces.

Dozens of dogs, some heavily pregnant and others with puppies, were found chained and tethered on the yard, or shut inside tiny cramped cages or makeshift kennels.

A total of 204 animals were discovered at the site. Three were put down at the scene and 201 were taken into charity care, including 129 horses and donkeys, 59 dogs, five goats, four chickens, three alpacas and a duck.

Despite urgent veterinary treatment, 14 horses died or were put to sleep on veterinary advice.

Two dogs and one goat had to be put down, and one chicken and one duck also died. Twenty foals were subsequently born in charity care, although two were stillborn, as well as six goat kids, one alpaca and seven surviving puppies.

“More than 100 people from different agencies spent more than 12 hours assessing the animals, rounding them up and moving them to vets and rescue centres. It’s one of the biggest animal welfare operations ever in the UK,” said RSPCA special operations unit case officer Kirsty Withnall, who coordinated the rescue mission and led the investigation.

“We had no idea what the conditions would be like until we stepped through the gates but we had a plan in place that would allow us to remove a large number of animals on the day, although we hoped that wouldn’t be necessary. But we were left shocked at the conditions these poor animals had been kept in.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

‘Devastating cruelty’: suspended sentence for woman who neglected more than 100 horses and other animals

Treatment in prison will be better than the care you gave animals, jailed pensioner told in horror farm sentencing

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A rider whose “life was ruined” after she and her horse were struck by a car has won her personal injury case in court.

In January 2018 Meg Hart and her Irish sport horse Dave were almost back at her yard in Lincolnshire when she heard a car approaching from behind.

Meg, 26, told H&H the driver ignored her requests for him to slow down and when Dave spooked ino the path of the car, he was struck and Meg was thrown over the top and landed on the road.

“Dave ran home and stopped outside his field gate. I didn’t want to go in the ambulance at the time because I was too concerned about how he was,” she said.

“The driver wasn’t very nice and said ‘Look what your horse has done to my car’.”

Dave broke his shoulder, and his jaw in three places. Meg sustained soft tissue damage to her back, neck and knee, and has suffered permanent damage to her right hip – which may have to be replaced in future.

“When I landed on the road I landed directly on my hip and the doctors think the bone went through the membrane in the socket. I was supposed to be joining the army, but I can’t get in now because my hip is shot to bits,” said Meg.

“The first few weeks were touch and go for Dave. Because of his jaw he couldn’t eat very well and he struggled with colic and choke a couple of times. He had a lot of X-rays and call-outs and when he was eventually allowed to go back out again, I took his shoes off and gave him time in the field to just be a horse. I didn’t bring him back into work until two years later.”

Meg reported the incident to the police and was given an incident number, but she said no one took a statement or followed up on the case, despite her contacting them again.

She was advised by a solicitor she might have a personal injury case, and court proceedings were launched in 2018. The case concluded last month, having been delayed by the pandemic. Meg won her case after the driver admitted negligence of a number of points raised in the proceedings. She has been awarded compensation of around £15,000.

“I have mixed feelings about everything,” said Meg. “I’m glad it’s all over but at the same time I really wish the police had been involved and at least given the driver points or a fine to deter him from doing it again.

“He’s no worse off really, but it’s ruined my life.”

Meg said Dave has made a full recovery physically, but is “not the same horse he used to be”.

“Just recently he spooked at something and decked me,“ she said.

“I don’t ride on the roads any more – I categorically won’t do it. It’s ruined my confidence, I used to ride for some owners and I’ve been riding in California, but I won’t ride any horse other than Dave now.”

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman told H&H any report of a road traffic collision is “treated seriously” and the circumstances reported are fully considered before the force makes a decision on whether to investigate.

“With collisions, there is a requirement by law for all parties involved to stop, exchange details, and report the incident. When there are no reported injuries, and no allegations of criminal behaviour, such as careless or dangerous driving, we would not attend as this then becomes a civil matter,” said the spokesman.

“We received two reports relating to this incident, and it was determined there would be no police enquiry as there were no reported injuries to the horse rider or driver, or criminal allegations, recorded on the log. The incident was therefore closed with no further action. If an individual is ever dissatisfied with a policing response, we welcome feedback through our complaints system so that we can continually review our practices and ensure we are providing the best service to our community.”

You might also be interested in:

Man charged over road collision in which horse suffered fatal injuries

Drivers urged to ‘Look out for Laura’ in campaign aiming to reduce equine road fatalities

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A couple who ignored their ban on keeping equines were given suspended prison sentences after 19 ponies – including one in “uncontrollable pain” – were found in their care.

Stanley Strelley, 51, and his wife Heather, 51, of Bron Gwendraeth, Kidwelly, admitted two animal welfare offences and breaching a five-year disqualification order when they appeared before Llanelli magistrates in January. The couple were sentenced at the same court on Thursday (10 February).

Magistrates heard that RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben and World Horse Welfare field officer Tony Evans visited the couple at a farm in Trimsaran Road, Kidwelly, on 28 May, 2021, following reports of a lame pony and a breach of ban offence.

A total of 13 section A Welsh ponies were found at the property, along with a further six in a field outside. The majority of those stabled were showing stress-induced behaviours and a bay mare called Maia, who was reluctant to move, was found to be suffering from untreated laminitis.

The couple denied the ponies belonged to them and instead gave inspector Hogben the name of a woman, with two different surnames, who they claimed was the owner. They also told him that Maia had seen a vet six to eight weeks previously.

Mrs Strelley was repeatedly asked for the owner’s contact number, but when it was eventually provided, there was no reply. When the alleged owner eventually spoke to inspector Hogben later that day, she told him that Maia belonged to her and had seen a vet. However, the two veterinary practices, whose names were given to the inspector, said they had never heard of the pony.

A vet visited the farm for the RSPCA later that day and confirmed Maia was lame on all four legs. She added that it was evident the mare was in “uncontrollable pain”, had been suffering unnecessarily for six to eight weeks, and was unlikely to have been seen by a vet or farrier in that time.

The pony was removed that day by police and placed in RSPCA care.

“In this case, I believe much earlier intervention with a veterinarian and a farrier would have prevented ongoing suffering of this mare,” said the vet, in evidence to the court.

“The appearance of the mare’s hooves externally show that she was overdue trimming and this, along with other factors such as breed, stress, diet and increased weight, would have predisposed her to laminitis.

“In my opinion the barn environment was stressful as the majority of the ponies were exhibiting stress-induced behaviours such as cribbing, kicking, snorting and biting. These ponies, including the laminitic mare, were fed ad-lib haylage which, as a source of high starch, is inappropriate for laminitis-prone breeds and a pony currently suffering from the condition.”

Magistrates were told a different woman, whose name was given to inspector Hogben, was not the ponies’ owner. The court heard this woman said Mrs Strelley had been sending her messages, asking her to say the ponies were hers and had offered her money to do so.

The Strelleys continued to deny ownership of all the ponies until 8 June when, via a letter from the solicitor, they admitted they were theirs.

The couple, who were already serving a five-year ban issued on 31 January 2019, were given an additional five-year ban and suspended jail sentences on 10 February.

The two animal welfare offences the pair were charged with were causing unnecessary suffering by failing to ensure a pony received appropriate veterinary and/or farrier care as a consequence of lameness, and that they did not take reasonable steps to ensure ponies’ needs were met, in terms of diet and a suitable living environment that minimised stress.

The mitigation given for their actions was that they loved the ponies too much to give them up, and that they couldn’t seek veterinary treatment because it was likely the vet would know they were banned from keeping equines.

Mrs Strelley was given a 12- and an eight-week prison sentence, to run concurrently, suspended for two years – for breaching the disqualification order and causing unnecessary suffering respectively. She was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a £128 victim surcharge, and was given a 7pm to 7am curfew for four months and must carry out 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.

Her husband was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for breaching his ban, and ordered to pay the same costs and victim surcharge as his wife. He must also undertake 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Maia has since been rehomed and the remaining ponies are under new ownership.

After the case, inspector Hogben said: “Mr and Mrs Strelley have shown a total disregard for the law and the sentence that was handed out to them when they appeared in court for previous animal welfare offences.

“Unfortunately another pony has now suffered unnecessarily due to Mrs Strelley’s failure to treat a hoof problem that she was fully aware of.

“We are very pleased that Maia made a full recovery after receiving excellent veterinary treatment and rehabilitation by equine professionals.

“We are grateful to our friends at World Horse Welfare, in particular field officer Tony Evans, for their support in this case, which is another example of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A pensioner jailed after 131 horses were found living in squalid conditions along with bones “strewn across” a farm has been told the care and consideration he will receive in prison will be “many times greater” than that which he showed animals in his charge.

Geoffrey John Bennett, 67, of Portsmouth Road, Ripley, was jailed for 19 weeks at Guildford Magistrates’ Court today (15 October), of which he will serve half behind bars. The judge also ordered that he receive 12 months supervision on release.

Bennett was disqualified from keeping animals and cannot apply to have that lifted for at least five years.

The sentence was in relation to two Animal Welfare Act offences, relating to the 131 horses as well as 33 dogs, two alpacas, five birds, plus six offences of failing to dispose of animal by-products.

Bennett had admitted the charges prior to sentencing.

Surrey Police executed a warrant at a farm in Ripley, Surrey, on 9 January 2019 in a major multi-agency operation. Three animals were put down at the time and the court was told the total number euthanised is 14 horses and two dogs.

Grim evidence shown to the court via video, and outlined by the prosecution, showed the extent of the horrors faced by animal welfare officers and vets, among others involved in the case.

The court was shown footage of a skeleton found wrapped in rugs and buried in the muck heap. Further remains were also found in a field and under a car.

“These regulations [concerning disposal of animal by-products] are designed in order to protect public and animal health. Your actions exposed animals and people to risk of harm,” said Recorder Reed.

Animals were found living in filthy conditions. In one of the barns, the muck in the stable was so high that fencing would not have been high enough to keep animals in. Footage showed several animals, including horses, had collapsed. There appeared to be no water available for the poultry, there was an open drain and a large volume of faeces in the area the dogs were living in, and the fields were littered with debris, collapsed partition fencing and wire.

The court heard the vast majority of horses were neither passported nor microchipped. Costs of care for the animals removed is estimated at £1m.

Barrister Michael Fullerton told the court his client’s applications for his own vet to attend post-mortems had been declined. He also contested whether horses’ ill health after being taken into RSPCA care should be linked to Bennett. All the horses were suffering from worm-related illness cyathostominosis to at least some degree on removal from the farm.

Recorder Reed contested this point, referring to the conditions in which the animals were found at Hurst Farm.

The defence also asked the court to take into consideration Bennett’s ill health, the wet winter in 2018/19 and how the tractor had churned up the land when moving hay for the animals to eat. It was also pointed out that a pink bucket was near to the animal carcasses, which was there to collect the bones found during the raid.

Mr Fullerton also asked the judge to consider allowing his client to keep up to a set number of dogs to serve as guard dogs for security purposes. This was dismissed.

Recorder Reed told the court he took into account the absence of previous relevant convictions, Bennett’s medical conditions and guilty plea when passing sentence.

He added that Bennett had “ignored warnings and professional advice” and that he had accepted no wrongdoing, nor expressed any remorse.

“One doesn’t need to be an expert or have 20:20 vision to see the disgusting conditions you were keeping animals,” said Recorder Reed, adding that likewise it would not take a vet to understand the suffering caused.

“These charges are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.

“I have noted you are an elderly man with multiply health problems. I have no doubt that prison will be uncomfortable for you, but you will be shown there a degree of consideration and care multiplied many times greater than you showed for the animals in your charge.”

Post-sentencing reaction

Following the sentencing, RSPCA special operations unit case officer Kirsty Withnall, who coordinated the huge rescue mission and led the investigation, said it took 100 staff from different agencies to help round up the animals.

“The RSPCA and World Horse Welfare officers had received complaints about the farm and had been looking into these concerns and gathering evidence,” she said.

“This was a huge multi-agency rescue mission, which was the culmination of weeks of planning and evidence gathering.

“It took almost 12 hours on the day to assess all of the animals, load them into horseboxes and animal ambulances, and move them off-site; making it one of the biggest coordinated rescue missions the UK has ever seen.

“We had to have a plan that would allow us to remove a large number of animals on the day, but we hoped that wouldn’t be necessary and had no idea what action would be taken until vets were able to assess all of the animals.”

She added: “The reason I do my job is because I care passionately about animals and I’ll be overjoyed when all of these animals are in loving homes being given the care, love and attention they deserve.”

PC Hollie Iribar, from Surrey Police, said this was one of the “most difficult cases” she has seen.

“As a rural and wildlife crime officer, I have witnessed some devastating acts of animal cruelty,” she said, adding that she is grateful to the RSPCA and other partner agencies for their hard work to bring this case to trial.

“I’m very glad that this heartbreaking case has seen a resolution in the courts, and that the animals involved were rescued and given a second chance at a happy and healthy life.”

A spokesman from World Horse Welfare added: “This was a challenging case but the teamwork between the charities and agencies when rescuing the animals was outstanding. We are relieved that we were able to help remove so many horses from these conditions so they could have a better life and receive the care they deserve.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A man has been given an 18-week suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping horses for 18 months after a mare was found with halter injuries so severe that bone was exposed and she had to be put down.

Stephen Lees, 61, of St Asaph, was found guilty of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act in his absence, and was sentenced at Mold Magistrates’ Court on 13 May.

RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton attended a farm on Cwttir Lane in St Asaph, Denbighshire, in October 2019 following concerns of welfare of a grey Arab mare.

The horse was seen in a field with a roller around her body and a rope headcollar on her head, with the lead rope dangling to the floor. The horse repeatedly stood on the rope, causing the head collar to tighten more and more each time.

“We urged the man to seek veterinary attention for the horse and to get help in catching the distressed horse if this was needed — but this was not heeded,” said RSPCA chief inspector Leanne Hardy, following the sentencing.

“At the site our inspector Jenny Anderton instead witnessed the man driving after the horse in a vehicle and beeping the horn repeatedly. This would only have caused the horse great distress and only made a bad situation even worse.

“RSPCA Cymru brought an independent vet to the site — who was able to sedate the horse, remove the rope and check her over. Sadly, the injuries were so severe that they were of the opinion she should be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.”

*Warning: link contains graphic image*

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

‘Cancel out cruelty once and for all’: tougher sentences for animal abusers made law four years on

“This reform is long overdue – for many years, the most violent and horrific abuse and cruelty received a maximum

The RSPCA had urged Lees to seek urgent veterinary attention for the horse and to find a vet who could use a sedation dart if she could not be caught.

The charity witnessed him trying to catch the mare by driving after her and he told them that he had “absolutely no intention of incurring any vet bills”.

It is understood he denied actually owning the horse and said he had had to leave the area on 2 October, 2019, as his daughter was giving birth. When he returned he was told others had been ‘chasing’ the horse.

The RSPCA later contacted a vet, who sedated her using a dart. They found that bone on the horse’s head had been left exposed, and there were deep wounds on the underside of the jaw area.

Maggots and eggs were found in her wounds and the veterinary opinion concluded that the horse “had been caused unnecessary pain and suffering by having had a rope halter tied to [her] face and being placed into a field”.

Lees was sentenced to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also disqualified from keeping all equines for 18 months, ordered to undertake 25 rehabilitation days over the next 18 months, and pay £600 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

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.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The legal case centres on who has the rights to semen of the legendary dressage stallion Totilas, who died last year. H&H hears from both sides of the dispute

AN interim injunction has been issued against a previous owner of legendary dressage stallion Totilas, in a legal dispute over semen ownership rights.

The Oldenburg regional court issued the injunction in favour of plaintiff Paul Schockemöhle, who owned the stallion until his death in December, and against Kees Visser. Mr Visser stood Totilas for one season when he owned him, and also collected semen to freeze.

Mr Schockemöhle took legal action against Mr Visser, who had offered the semen for sale as now there is a limited supply, and great interest from breeders. The injunction prevents him from doing this.

A spokesman for Mr Schockemöhle said: “Semen of the three-time World Champion and two-time European Champion Totilas may continue to be offered and sold only and exclusively by Paul Schockemöhle Hengsthaltung GmbH. This was decided by the court.

“In 2010, Paul Schockemöhle acquired the KWPN stallion from Kees Visser, and put him into stud. Here the hope came true that Totilas would pass on his movement genius and his willingness to perform to his offspring. In Germany alone, the black stallion produced 28 licensed sons and 36 award-winning daughters.”

Luc Schelstraete and Piotr Wawrzyniak, of Dutch equine law firm Schelstraete which is representing Mr Visser, told H&H they are appealing, and that they were surprised by the action, which they claim concerns semen already owned by Mr Visser.

“It was collected months before the purchase, so we were surprised to receive a summons saying it was Mr Schockemöhle’s property,” ” Mr Schelstraete said, adding that he believes Dutch law rather than German applies in this case, and under Dutch law, the semen in question belongs to Mr Visser.

“If you buy a mare, you don’t also own her foal, unless it’s inside her,” he said. “So we were very surprised, but for us, this is a political decision, nothing else.”

It is expected that the appeal will be heard this month. Mr Schelstraete said some “interesting new information” will be introduced, while the question over which law applies will also form part of the argument.

You might also be interested in…

‘A wonder horse who changed dressage’: top riders’ tributes to Totilas

“The partnership and the silhouette of Edward and Toto became iconic, something those of us lucky enough to see them

Groom seriously injured in fall appealing court decision after failed compensation bid *H&H Plus*

Lisa Ford, who will likely never ride again after a horse reared up and landed on her, is appealing the

‘My love for you lasts for ever’: Edward Gal pays tribute to wonder horse Totilas

“You honored me with your trust. You were my friend. I will miss you until we meet again”

£120,000 compensation for untrained groom who was kicked in the face

‘This case is a reminder to all yard owners that they have a duty of care to their employees’

Legal case over horse being put down sparks warning *H&H Plus*

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

H&H reports on the outcome of a recent case, where the crux of the decision came down to what caused the horse to rear...

A GROOM who will likely never ride again after a horse reared up and landed on her is appealing the High Court’s verdict after losing her claim for compensation.

Lisa Ford, 41, sustained serious pelvic injuries in September 2018, while out with the Beaufort Hunt, when the horse she was riding reared up, landed on her and died of a suspected heart attack.

There was no allegation of negligence against her employer, Jonathan Seymour-Williams, rather the claim was for compensation for her injuries and consequential losses under the Animals Act 1971. Ms Ford spent her life working with horses and the severity of her injuries means she is unlikely to ride again.

The hearing took place in January and judgement was delivered by Michael Kent QC on 19 February.

In court, there was some debate over whether Ms Ford was taking the horse, “Tommy”, autumn hunting as part of her job or “off-duty” for her own enjoyment, and Mr Kent ruled that she was doing so as part of her employment.

But the outcome of the case hinged not on this, but on what caused the horse to rear and fall — whether this was as a result of napping or if it was connected to a suspected heart attack.

A conclusion on which of these two possibilities resulted in the horse rearing, and subsequently falling and his death, was not reached. There was no post-mortem done and the cause of death is unlikely ever to be known.

So the wrangle came down to whether what happened that day would take the case outside what was considered a legitimate claim under the Act.

Mr Kent concluded that although Ms Ford was acting in the course of her employment, his findings surrounding the question over why the horse reared up did not satisfy the requirements under the Act to impose liability on the defendant for her injuries.

Although there is no automatic right to appeal in this sort of case, the judge gave permission.

Richard Brooks, of Royds Withy King, who acted for Ms Ford, told H&H after the conclusion of the case that Miss Ford is appealing the decision.

“This is a case in which Lisa is highly unlikely to ride horses again, which for someone who has never known anything different, will have a huge impact on her life. Having spent her life working with horses, she cannot earn a living,” he said.

Georgina Crawford, of Ropewalk Chambers, who was instructed by Langleys Solicitors on behalf of Mr Seymour-Williams, said in her blog following the outcome that the case will have a “significant impact on future Animals Act claims where the circumstances leading to injury are unclear”.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

H&H spoke to both parties following a legal case that was settled out of court the result of which is they each claim to have lost everything...

A legal dispute over a £25,000 dressage pony has highlighted the fact that all parties in such cases can lose everything.

Agnetha Hjortsparre, a pony breeder in Sweden, settled out of court in a case involving her stallion Speyksbosch Diablo and UK buyer Damien Harris.

Mr Harris, of Ghabar Stud, agreed to buy the pony and to pay in instalments, but then said Ms Hjortsparre had misrepresented the pony and that a vetting on his arrival in the UK had shown he was lame. He refused to pay any more and then started legal action against Ms Hjortsparre.

The two parties agreed Mr Harris would pay Ms Hjortsparre £15,000. But Mr Harris said he had no assets, and if she did not take the pony back in settlement, he would send him to auction.

Diablo is now back with Ms Hjortsparre but she told H&H she has “lost everything”.

“It’s money I’ll never get back,” she said. “I didn’t give up because I didn’t want him to have my pony for free, or hardly anything.

“And there it stops. I’ve borrowed so much to pay for this [case] and I haven’t got any more.”

Ms Hjortsparre said she had sold Diablo as the rented property she lives in was to be sold. But as she has lost money – her legal costs were over £20,000 – she may have to find a new home. She also said the pony passed a vetting before he was sold.

“I’m so glad the pony’s back with me as he deserves it, but I thought I’d found him a good home,” she said.

“It’s been so hard but I’m proud of myself for doing it and I don’t want anyone else to go through this. We had an agreement but I’ve lost everything.”

Mr Harris told H&H he has lost £40,000. He said he had the pony vetted soon after he arrived in the UK, for insurance, and he was lame. Diablo’s British Dressage record shows he was competing, including at Premier League, that summer and autumn, but Mr Harris said he was having “treatment and acupuncture every two weeks… but we couldn’t keep him sound”.

Mr Harris admitted he had put his assets into other hands.

“I spent a lot on this case and at the end of it, was going to get nothing,” he said. “I think the law should be changed and there should be some way of finding out what someone’s got beforehand; this has been a nightmare.”

Barrister Paul O’Callaghan, who acted for Ms Hjortsparre in the latter stages of her case, said he explains to all clients at the outset that anyone bringing a claim in a civil court should check the other party’s assets.

“If they don’t, the court judgement isn’t worth the paper it’s written on,” he told H&H.

“If it can’t be enforced, you won’t get the compensation awarded or settled in this case. The difficulty is that there are those people who know how the system works, and how to limit their potential liability.”

Mr O’Callaghan said Mr Harris “went to great lengths to disassociate himself” from the stud, and that as examination of documents showed it would be difficult to bring a claim against anyone else, the case proceeded.

Mr O’Callaghan said there is little that can be done when people transfer assets into others’ names, but there are other ways money can be recovered.

If someone is employed, a claimant can apply for earnings to be diverted, or if the other party is to receive a sum of money, another order can be applied for.

Also, judgements remain applicable for property or assets someone may accrue in future.

“If circumstances change, it’s possible to enforce a judgement to the full extent,” he said.

You may also be interested in…

£75,000 negligence claim against livery yard owner dismissed

A judge said there was no obligation for the owner to have supervised the child involved on the yard

Legal case over horse being put down sparks warning *H&H Plus*

Court case thrown out after livery falls off horse that yard owner advised her not to buy

A yard owner who faced a six-figure personal injury claim after accepting £30 from a novice rider to help her

£198k damages for injured rider overturned: judge spent four days reading judgement

The case dealt with a man who fell from his horse after, it was claimed, the horse was spooked by

Con artist posed as top showjumper to swindle £280k from victims

The "deceptive and malicious" scammer — whose victims included his own girlfriend — has been jailed

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Yard and horse owners are being encouraged to have written agreements in place to cover the authorisation of emergency veterinary treatment after an owner took action against her vet when her colicking horse was put down in her absence

The 2019 legal battle was brought after the horse was put down, rather than undergoing colic surgery, when its owner was not present.

While the vet told the yard owner surgery was an option, she did not advise on the horse’s chance of returning to competition. The yard owner did not pass on the fact surgery was an option to the horse owner, who said she would have opted for surgery had she been given more information on the prognosis.

The owner took legal action against the vet practice, claiming negligence for failing to advise the horse had a 50/50 prospect of returning to competition after surgery. The judge found as the yard owner did not pass on any information about surgery to the horse owner, she would not have passed on the prognosis, even if this had been given by the vet. Therefore, the case was dismissed.

Hannah Bradley of the Equine Law Firm told H&H the case was significant because it could have been brought against the yard owner for not passing on the information. She recommends yard and horse owners have an agreement in place on what decisions should be taken in the horse owner’s absence in an emergency.

“Having a contract is important; for yard owners’ protection and horse owners’ peace of mind. People have different expectations based on sentimental attachment, value of the horse and financial affairs,” she said.

“Everyone has to be clear because disputes happen when people make decisions they’re not authorised to.”

Ms Bradley said yards should have terms setting out emergency situations. She added that agreements can be made in an exchange of written communication such as email, whereby both parties agree.

“Society is becoming more litigious; people want to protect themselves and that is the correct thing to do — particularly from a yard owner’s perspective,” she said.

“For horse owners, it gives certainty because they don’t want a situation where they’re incurring vet bills they wouldn’t have authorised, or where a horse is euthanised when they wouldn’t have chosen this.”

British Horse Society (BHS) head of approvals Oonagh Meyer told H&H in the owner’s absence that deciding whether a horse should be referred to a veterinary hospital or for surgery is “almost impossible” if guidelines are not in place.

“Contracts should outline a plan to be followed in emergencies — for example, written details of a go-to contact the horse owner authorises to make decisions should they not be contactable,” she said.

“Communication should include clarity on permission to discuss and attend to the horse with the veterinary practice with which the horse or yard is registered. Many vets request clients notify them in advance of any such permissions.”

A spokesman for the Equestrian Employers Association told H&H written policies are “vital” for businesses with equines in their care.

“This should cover day-to-day care, responsibilities when contacting the vet and owners’ wishes in the event of emergency. It is better to have the conversation before an emergency than during a time-sensitive and stressful situation when emotions are running high.”

Things to consider

Ms Bradley recommends owners consider the following points:

• What efforts should be made to contact you if an issue arises in relation to the welfare of your horse?
• If you cannot be contacted, can a vet be called without your authority?
• Do you wish to put a cap on how much can be incurred on vet’s bills in your absence? Make this decision considering the level of your insurance cover and any exclusions on the policy. If necessary, agree a separate cap for fees that are potentially not covered by your insurance policy.
• Do you wish to define how certain important or urgent veterinary decisions should be made if you can’t be reached? It will be difficult to define your wishes for every possible scenario. You could, for example, agree the yard owner may authorise veterinary treatment to relieve the horse from pain or to prevent the deterioration of any condition.
• Do you wish to agree in what circumstances the yard owner may sanction the euthanasia of the horse? As you will unlikely be able to define all the possible scenarios where euthanasia may be a possibility, it may be sensible to agree that euthanasia may be sanctioned if it is advised by the attending veterinary surgeon.

You may also be interested in…

£75,000 negligence claim against livery yard owner dismissed

A judge said there was no obligation for the owner to have supervised the child involved on the yard

Court case thrown out after livery falls off horse that yard owner advised her not to buy

A yard owner who faced a six-figure personal injury claim after accepting £30 from a novice rider to help her

Injured girl wins £2.1m compensation

Hard hats could become compulsory when handling horses at riding schools and livery yards following a record level of compensation

Fall was an accident, rules judge

A High Court judge today ruled that Jillian Carenza, owner of The Vine Riding and Livery Yard, was in no

Claimant ‘caught out’ on Facebook in equine court case

Lawyers say a recent equine court case — in which a claimant was caught out by Facebook — has highlighted

Judge says: ‘there is no such thing as risk-free riding’

A court case has been hailed a “triumph for common sense” by equestrian lawyers and the British Horse Society

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A horse is suing its former owner for neglect in a ground-breaking lawsuit in the United States of America.

Portland-based charity the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) have filed the case on behalf of a quarter horse named Justice, who is seeking more than $100,000 (£74,000) to cover the cost of his ongoing care needs.

Sarah Hanneken, one of the animal’s attorneys for the ALDF, told H&H that if the case is successful, it “would mean judicial recognition of a fact we all already know to be true: that sentient non-human animals like horses are not mere ‘property’ like your car or television, but rather individuals capable of experiencing pain and happiness just like you or me.

“It is our hope and expectation that Justice’s success in this lawsuit would instil in humans a whole new level of respect for the animals in their homes and neighbourhoods,” she said.

The eight-year-old horse — then known as Shadow —was found emaciated and with a prolapsed penis that was swollen “red raw” and “oozing serum” as a result of frostbite. He was 300lb (136kg) underweight and also suffering from lice and rain scald having been left without adequate food or shelter throughout the winter.

His former owner, 51-year-old Gwendolyn Vercher, from Cornelius, Oregon, only sought veterinary attention when persuaded by a neighbour.

The horse was surrendered to the charity Sound Equine Options in March 2017 and in July of the same year, Vercher pleaded guilty to first-degree animal neglect and agreed to cover Justice’s medical expenses up until that date.

While Justice has regained his body condition, the complaint details how his penis remains prolapsed and he is now facing a partial amputation. It says the injuries he has suffered will require “special and expensive medical care for the rest of his life” and are a barrier to finding the horse a new home.

Oregon case law first paved the way to this unusual claim in 2014, when the state’s supreme court ruled that animals could be the victims of crime and had legally protected rights.

Ms Hanneken said the ALDF had decided to pursue Justice’s case — the first of its type — as the facts made it “particularly compelling”.

“The egregious nature of Justice’s neglect and the extent of his injuries make it crucial that he receives compensation for the costs of his future medical care—costs that are the direct result of the defendant’s criminal neglect,” she said.

“We believe the court has the authority to grant Justice the monetary relief he deserves.”

Ms Hanneken acknowledged that in future the threat of a $100,000 pay-out “would indeed serve as a deterrent to abuse and neglect”, but added that the ALDF also imagined the law suit had the “potential to reframe animals’ place in our minds [and would] likewise lead to their better treatment”.

“We are confident in the merits of Justice’s claim. Under Oregon law, animals are considered ‘sentient beings’, and if abused or neglected, courts treat them as victims of crime. It is well-established that victims of crime can sue their abusers for the physical and emotional damages that result,” she explained.

Continued below…

Riders’ heartbreak as government ‘leaves horses to starve’

Fiona Bigwood, Charlotte Dujardin and Hans Peter Minderhoud are among those calling for change

Night club closed after ‘inhumane’ incident involving horse

The club's business licence has been revoked

Endurance rider whipped horse ‘because it was lonely’

The ‘promising young rider’ used an extra pair of reins to hit his horse

“Equine veterinarians who have examined Justice determined he must have been in severe pain for months and chronically hungry, causing significant psychological trauma.

“Imagine being starved within an inch of your life and sustaining severe frostbite on your genitals. Any sentient being would be physically and emotionally traumatized by that experience, and Justice is no different. Under Oregon’s victims-rights laws, these are compensable harms.”

US media have reported that Vercher only learned about her former horse’s legal action against her recently and described the situation as “outrageous”.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

This week’s edition (10 May) features our full report from Badminton, including in-depth analysis, expert comment, pictures and more. Plus, read our feature on the options for retiring your horse and in this week’s vet clinic we look into the challenges of equine surgery

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three members of the Grove and Rufford have been acquitted of hunting convictions on appeal.

The trio were convicted of hunting a wild mammal with dogs last year, but were acquitted on appeal at Nottingham Crown Court on 15 March.

The case collapsed after it was revealed the prosecution failed to show 50 photographs containing clear evidence supporting the defendants’ case that they were all hunting legally.

Paul Larby, 58, Peter White, 57, and Jane Wright, 63, of the Grove and Rufford Hunt denied alleged offences made under the Hunting Act 2004 at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court in March 2017.

They were found guilty by magistrates at the time and fined — but have now been acquitted.

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said the organisation is “very pleased” about the acquittals.

“But this has been a long, stressful and expensive process which should never have happened,” he added.

“If all the evidence had been available from the start it is unlikely that there would have even been a prosecution, and there would certainly never have been convictions in the magistrates’ court.

“The police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) need to be extremely careful in hunting cases that the views of witnesses and others involved in investigations do not unduly influence prosecutions and decisions to prosecute.”

In a separate case, a Portman huntsman was found not guilty of offences under the Hunting Act at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 14 March.

Joint-master Evo Shirley faced charges of illegal hunting brought by the CPS relating to hunting activity on 8 March 2017.

The case was heard on 12 and 13 February, with magistrates’ delivering their verdict on 14 March.

“This is another case in which there was ample evidence that the hunt was operating legally,” said Mr Bonner.

“The police and CPS need to consider very carefully any ‘evidence’ supplied by anti-hunting activists who have a vested interest in vilifying members of the hunting community.

“This is another example of thousands of pounds being wasted in court and police time.”

Data from the Ministry of Justice from 2005 to 2016 shows 454 people have been convicted of offences under the Hunting Act.

Of these, only 27 were involved with registered hunts and more than 94% of Hunting Act convictions did not involve hunts.

There have been 35 completed cases under the Hunting Act involving hunts registered with the Council of Hunting Associations until October 2017. A total of 20 of these failed, with seven being dropped before trial and 13 resulting in the acquittal of all defendants.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A court battle over a spooked horse serves as a “reminder to deal with cases as proportionately as is possible” after the judge spent 17 hours reading his judgement aloud.

The reading of the 138-page report lasted for four days, which reportedly increased the parties’ legal costs by thousands of dollars.

The case dealt with a man who fell from his horse after, it was claimed, the horse was spooked by a car.

District judge Garry Neilson awarded the claimant $340,000 (£198,500) in respect of his injuries.

But Mr Neilson was criticised for taking so much time in reading his judgement by the Australian Court of Appeal, which has recently overturned his decision to award damages.

It found the horse’s actions were not linked to the vehicle concerned, and that the claimant was not entitled to receive the money from the driver, adding that there was “no explanation” for Mr Nielson’s delivering such a long judgment in court.

Continued below…

Charities get thousands as court overturns £486k inheritance case

The RSPCA and the Blue Cross are among the charities that will receive a split of the money following the

Council seeks order to criminalise riding on its land

Public space protection orders, more commonly known as PSPOs, were first introduced in 2014 and criminalise specified activities in certain

‘I thought he’d broken his leg’: rider wins case following road accident

The rider was awarded damages of more than £4,500

“Although this is an Australian case, it serves as a reminder to judges to deal with cases as proportionately as is possible (bearing in mind the complexities of the case),” said equine solicitor Hannah Bradley.

“In any dispute, the parties’ legal costs can become disproportionate if not properly managed.

“Disputes regarding the behaviour of a horse at a certain time will inevitably involve uncertainty. The court will have to rely on hearing witness evidence from both sides, and potentially expert evidence in respect of the horse’s temperament or training. All of this can be costly.

“The courts are increasingly encouraging parties to resolve differences through alternative methods of dispute resolution such as mediation (a process where the parties in dispute attend a meeting facilitated by an independent party who will help them reach a resolution).”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A “deceptive and malicious” con artist who posed as an international showjumper to swindle his victims has been jailed.

James Condliffe, 34, of Shropshire (pictured, below), scammed investors — including his own girlfriend — out of £280,000 by pretending to be a professional rider and dealer.

Condliffe convinced people to invest large amounts of money for him to buy horses to train and compete. But these investors were unaware that the scammer had bought the horses for much less money than the price he quoted them and was pocketing the difference.

He also further deceived his victims by pretending to own a large property in Charing, Kent, to which he invited his prospective investors.

Following the sentencing, detective constable Mark Agnew from the serious economic crime unit said Condliffe “funded his lifestyle by fraud”.

“He boasted to the investors that he was a good rider, even suggesting he was going to the Olympics in Brazil,” said DC Agnew.

“He had no legitimate income, his only income was the money he defrauded from his victims.”

One of his victims was an 85-year-old man, who agreed to rent his stables in Ashford to Condliffe.

The crook convinced him to “invest” £50,000 in a horse — when in fact Condliffe only paid £35,000. He also persuaded him to write various blank cheques and take out a £25,000 bank loan. In total he was defrauded of over £100,000.

Another of his victims was tricked into putting up £20,000 for a non-existent horse, while a further victim — who was his girlfriend at the time — was pressured into paying £35,000 for a horse that had actually been bought for £16,000.

When the victims asked for their cash to be returned, Condliffe told them he was waiting for money to come from his parents’ estate as they had died — which was a lie.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Watch firefighters rescue stricken pony

Rescuers are urging owners to check their gates

Top showjumper falls after stirrup breaks during grand prix: Freejump investigates

The company has examined the stirrup and has

Parelli Natural Horsemanship: what’s the verdict?

This month marks the 35th anniversary of Pat

The victims started to get suspicious and reported him to Kent Police.

Officers from the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate arrested the 34-year-old in May 2014.

He was charged with 21 offences of fraud by false representation and one of using a false instrument between July 2012 and July 2014, which he admitted.

On 23 March this year, he was jailed for four years and three months at Maidstone Crown Court. This will run consecutively once he has served four years and nine months for a fraud committed in Hampshire.

The judge has also made him the subject of a five-year serious crime prevention order, which will start on his release from prison. This bans him from engaging in any business related to the horse industry, financial advice and investment opportunities.

“Condliffe’s offending was deceptive and malicious,” added DC Agnew. “By targeting victims in this way, he has shown he is a danger to the public and I welcome the sentence he has received.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A dealer who allowed equines to live in squalid conditions has been banned from keeping horses indefinitely.

Jackie Johnson, 54, of Harriseahead, appeared before North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court on 22 March. She was charged under section nine and section four of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, for animal cruelty and failing to provide a duty of care to animals under her control.

This followed an investigation by Staffordshire County Council’s animal health team, along with officers from Staffordshire Police, World Horse Welfare, the Donkey Sanctuary and the RSPCA.

“It is clear that the business being operated at this farm had serious issues, and resulted in serious consequences for the horses, donkeys and ponies that were being kept there,” said Cllr Gill Heath, communities leader at Staffordshire County Council, following the hearing.

Continued below…

You might also be interested in:

RSPCA hits back at MPs’ calls to curtail its prosecuting powers

RSPCA chief executive Jeremy Cooper said the call

‘This equine crisis is heartbreaking’: 49 horses found dead or dying to date in 2017

Warning: report contains very upsetting images

How do you know when to report a neglected horse?

Horse & Hound's charity of the year World

On visits to the farm, officers found horses kept in poor condition in dirty stables with no dry area to lie down. Those kept outside were wet and dirty with no shelter.

One pony was found collapsed in a field, covered with rugs and tarpaulin. Following examination by a vet, the decision was made to put him down.

A second pony was found on the site with injuries and also had to be euthanised.

Further visits were made to the farm and another four horses were taken away and several more put down due to the condition they were in.

In her defence, it is understood Johnson had co-operated with officers, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had had no previous issues.

She is also the main carer for her mother, who has dementia, and of two others with special needs. One of her friends recently died of cancer and Johnson is now the supporter of her three grown-up children.

Matters started to go downhill from mid-2015 and she was struggling to cope financially.

Johnson, who admitted the charges, was given a 12-week suspended sentence for each offence and ordered to pay almost £3,500, plus a further £80 victim surcharge. She has also been banned from having any further involvement with horses, donkeys or ponies indefinitely.

“By working with voluntary organisations for animal welfare, we were able to ensure the safety of the remaining animals, and make sure the horse dealer was brought to justice,” added Cllr Heath.

“We will also seek to prosecute people who flout the law and don’t adhere to regulations.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Animal charities have won a Supreme Court case against a woman who was cut out of her mother’s will.

Melita Jackson left the majority of her £486,000 estate to charity when she died in 2004 aged 70.

At the time of her death, she had been estranged from her only child, Heather Ilott, for 26 years. Mrs Iliott left home aged 17 to live with a boyfriend, of whom her mother did not approve. They have since married and have five children.

Since then, Mrs Ilott has lived independently of her mother, but in strained financial circumstances.

Despite three attempts at reconciliation between Mrs Jackson and Mrs Ilott, these were not successful.

Judgement documents from the Supreme Court cite this feud as the reason Mrs Jackson made no provision for her daughter in her will.

She instead chose to leave the majority of her estate to charities “to which she had had no particular connection during her lifetime, but which represented her freely made and considered choice of beneficiaries”.

District Judge Million found in 2007 that Mrs Jackson’s will did not make reasonable financial provision for Mrs Ilott and awarded her £50,000. This money, it was claimed, was needed for essential household items and maintenance of her family’s home.

The charities involved in the case — the RSPCA, Blue Cross and RSPB — initially challenged the finding unsuccessfully. The dispute rolled on as Mrs Ilott appealed the £50,000 she was awarded as too low.

The Court of Appeal re-evaluated the claim and awarded Mrs Ilott £143,000 in 2015 to buy the home she lived in, and an option to receive £20,000 in one or more installments.

But the Supreme Court has yesterday (15 March) found Judge Million did not make any mistakes in the original ruling, on which the appeal was based.

In the conclusion of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the court was told this appeal was brought by the charities largely on principle owing to the possible impact the decision could have on other cases.

Article continues below…

Popular articles:

• Ground-breaking eventing safety system to be trialled in Britain
• 22 unmissable facts and golden nuggets of advice from William Fox-Pitt’s head groom Jackie Potts
• New venue and extra €1 million bonus for showjumping grand slam

Lady Hale, who was among the judges ruling on the case in the Supreme Court, commented on the difficult nature of the case and the “profound questions” it raises.

These include the nature of family obligations, the relationship between family obligations and the state, and the relationship between the freedom of individuals to dispose of their property as they see fit and their duty to fulfil their family obligations.

She criticised the state of the law, which gives “no guidance” as to the weight of factors to be taken into account when deciding whether an adult child is deserving of reasonable maintenance funds or not.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A woman in Wales has been banned from keeping horses for life after three mares in her care were found to be under-fed and riddled with lice.

Bays Lottie and Silkie (pictured, top) and cremello Polo were discovered in a field in Llanfigael near Hollyhead with their spine, ribs and pelvic bones showing.

The RSPCA was called in April this year, where an inspector also found the dispirited ponies to be infested with lice.

Sally Ann Boon, 48, of Llwyn Hudol, Bangor pleaded guilty to offences under the Animals Welfare Act on Wednesday (7 September) at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court.

She admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to three horses, failing to provide them with a nutritionally balanced diet and failing to address their poor physical condition.

In addition to being banned from keeping any further animals for life, magistrates ordered Boon to pay £500 costs.

RSPCA inspector Mike Pugh said: “These horses were covered in lice, had no grazing and were not attended to for weeks. All these factors meant that their body condition deteriorated and they were in a poor state.

Popular articles:

• Victory for Lee Pearson on day one of the Paralympic dressage
• Scott Brash claims showjumping’s richest prize
• Revised plans to build homes on Patchetts site rejected

“Fortunately we were able to give them the care they deserved. They have all made a good recovery and they are going to be made available for rehoming in the near future.”

Equine rehoming officer Gareth Johnson said that with treatment and an appropriate diet, the ponies had fortunately been “transformed”.

“They are are approximately 12.2hh and we will be looking for a family home for them and potentially someone with a showing background,” he said.

“They are easy to handle and will have an excellent showing ability. Their body score is fantastic and they are very healthy. It has been a great transformation.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three men have been charged with fraud following a horsemeat contamination investigation.

The charges follow a City of London Police-led an inquiry into how food products, sold as beef, became “adulterated” with horsemeat.

Alex Ostler-Beech, 43, of Highfield Close in Hull; Ulrik Nielsen, 57, of Gentofte in Denmark; and Andrew Sideras, 54, of Frias Walk in Southgate, were all charged with conspiracy to defraud.

The complex international criminal investigation involved the City of London Police, the national policing lead for fraud, working together with the Food Standards Agency, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and enforcement agencies in the UK and Europe.

Ostler-Beech was first arrested in Hull and Sideras in London in July 2013 by the City of London Police.

In August, Nielsen was also interviewed under caution in Hull along with another 52-year-old man, who has been released with no further action.

“The CPS has today (26 August) authorised charges against three men, relating to the sale of mixed beef and horsemeat products which were sold as beef,” said Kristen Jones, head of specialist fraud for the CPS.

Popular articles:

• Quick and affordable horsemeat test developed
• Horsemeat still a concern in Europe

“After carefully considering evidence from the UK and overseas, the CPS has decided that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to charge these three men.

“This decision comes after a thorough investigation conducted by the City of London Police in liaison with partner agencies.”

The three men have been released on bail and are due to appear at City of London Magistrates’ Court on 27 September.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A woman has been ordered to pay £1,160 after her horse was found starving and later died.

Ann Quinn, 61, of Ashley Avenue, Bolton, had kept her veteran thoroughbred gelding, Mikey, at a farm in Bacup.

He was found in an emaciated state by RSPCA officers, but despite their advice, Quinn did not improve her care of the horse.

“Mikey was found to be in very poor condition with his ribs, spine and pelvis prominent,” said RSPCA inspector Charlotte Booker.

“Ann Quinn had been offered advice from two vets and several RSPCA officers that Mikey should have been brought into a warm stable environment.

“Sadly this advice was ignored.”

The gelding had been kept on moorland, without adequate shelter and exposed to the winter conditions without a rug.

He died 24 hours after he was removed by police and placed into RSPCA care.

Vets concluded he had suffered with re-feeding syndrome, caused when an animal has been starved of carbohydrates and sugars, a condition that is often seen in emaciated horses.

“I have never seen a horse this underweight still standing. It is devastating that he did not get the opportunity to be nursed back to full health,” added Ms Booker.

Related articles:

• Foal found dying on road side crowned champion at Equifest *VIDEO*
• Abused horse with broken back on road to recovery
• Pony found ‘being eaten alive’ making good progress after rescue

Quinn was found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to investigate and treat the cause of Mikey’s weight loss.

She was found guilty on 23 June, following a two-day trial at Burnley Magistrates’ Court.

The district judge stated that Quinn had a duty to act with knowledge of a potential disease and that she had failed to address the obvious deterioration in her horse.

Quinn was given a £600 fine, ordered to pay £500 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A teenager has been sentenced to a total of five years in prison following the death of a British Racing School graduate.

Charlotte Lajoie, from Epsom, died in April last year when the car she was travelling in collided with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

The 17-year-old had completed a course at the Newmarket school earlier that month and was in her first week of a job with trainer Laura Mongan.

Arthur Berry, of Stable Lane, Findon, near Worthing, admitted one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Guildford Crown Court on 8 April.

He was sentenced to five years behind bars on the first charge and three years each for the further two charges.

Berry, 19, (pictured) will serve his sentences concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for five years and will face an extended re-test.

Charlotte was a passenger in the grey Seat Ibiza Berry was driving at the time of the accident.

On 26 April 2015, Berry was driving northbound on the A24 in Capel when he lost control of the car and collided with a silver Ford Fiesta travelling in the opposite direction.

Charlotte died at the scene and a second female passenger, who was also 17 at the time, suffered “life-changing” injuries.

Berry sustained serious chest and back injuries and the 28-year-old driver of the Ford Fiesta also suffered serious injuries.

“The sentencing reflects the severity of this crime and demonstrates how excessive speed and lack of concentration during a few moments of recklessness can lead to a tragedy which will be a lifetime sentence for the victim’s family and for those left with long-term injuries,” said acting DI Gary Wright of Surrey Police’s collision investigation unit.

“Surrey Police is committed to tackling issues surrounding driving offences and I hope this result shows other young drivers how important it is that they exercise due responsibility for themselves and any passengers in their vehicles.

“They are in charge of a potentially lethal weapon and must treat it with caution.

“The outcome that day killed a young girl who had her future ahead of her and needlessly altered lives for a number of people.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The managers of a riding school where a grandfather sustained fatal injuries in a fall have been fined £1,000 for operating without a licence.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court also banned mother and son Rosemary and Benjamin Fabb from keeping any riding establishment for five years.

The court was told on 16 March that North Norfolk District Council had refused a licence to the pair, of Fern Bank, Carr Lane, Roughton, in January 2015, owing to concerns raised by a vet inspector over the horses’ health and welfare.

Although they had no licence, and despite the inspector’s concerns, the Fabbs continued to give lessons.

Both pleaded guilty to operating a riding establishment without a licence.

The magistrates noted a “considerable amount of work” had gone into establishing the case and that the Fabbs knew they needed a licence. They accepted money for “riding school services”, described by the defendants as donations, but the magistrates saw it as receipt of money.

Each was fined £500 and ordered to pay £1,300 costs and a £50 surcharge.

H&H reported in 2012 that 72-year-old Anthony Golding had died the previous December, two days after a fall from a Fern Bank horse, having suffered a brain haemorrhage.

At the time, Norfolk coroner William Armstrong recorded a verdict of accidental death, saying Fern Bank’s lack of a licence had no bearing on the death, but called for examination of how riding schools are licensed.

Related articles:

• Riding school death ruled accidental
• BHS urges clampdown on ‘illegal’ riding schools

The licence, issued by North Norfolk District Council, had expired in July 2011 and was not renewed until February 2012.

Mr Armstrong said it was “not satisfactory” that the riding school had been unlicensed for so long while paperwork was being processed.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A Scottish man has been fined after allowing a horse to suffer with a maggot infested leg wound.

Ricky Martin, known as Gary Martin, of Houndslow, Gordon was convicted on Monday (8 February).

He appeared at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and was ordered to pay £1,200 in compensation to the Scottish SPCA.

The 31-year-old had pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment at a previous hearing.

The 19-year-old stallion, Silver, had a serious wound, which had been left unattended.

The horse was found by the Scottish SPCA.

“Silver had a bandage on his left hind leg which looked like it had been on for some considerable time,” said Scottish SPCA Inspector Tracy McNaughton.

Popular articles:

• The Micklem bridle: what you need to know
• Wood pellet horse bedding: what are the pros and cons?
• Rider in serious condition after horse spooked by car

“There was flesh growing over the top of the wound and it was covered in dirty puss.

“Following an independent veterinary examination, it was concluded that Silver had a horrific leg wound which he had not received any veterinary attention for.

“There was a large number of maggots in and around the wound and the vet confirmed Silver had suffered as a result.

“Silver required specialist veterinary treatment including several leg casts and a skin graft. Thankfully he has since made a fully recovery and has since found a loving new home.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A Norfolk man has been banned from keeping horses for 10 years and handed an 18-week prison sentence.

James Taylor, of Hay Green Travellers Site, Terrington St Clements, King’s Lynn, appaear at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court on 3 December accused of offences involving horses kept on a farm in Oxborough.

Taylor pleaded guilty to three offences under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, for failing to investigate and address their poor condition and weight loss causing them unnecessary suffering and two offences under section 9 of the same Act relating to water supply, poor hooves and lice infestations.

The offences involved four mares between January and March 2015.

He was sentenced on Wednesday (13 January).

“These horses were in poor condition when I observed them and in clear need of care,” said RSPCA inspector Chris Nice.

“They were being kept on the site amongst a large number of other horses, including some which were already dead.

“The three pregnant mares and a foal had all been allowed to lose considerable body weight.

“Their only source of water was from a series of ditches contaminated by the decomposing remains of their companions. Their hooves were also in terrible condition and they were infested with lice and worms. They could not go on living in those conditions and needed immediate vet care and proper forage.

“The vet who came to examine them confirmed they were likely to suffer further if left in the current conditions, so the police were able to remove them and place them into our care.”

Taylor was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, banned from keeping equines for 10 years and ordered to pay costs of £1,183.

The four horses were removed by the police and placed into RSPCA care. They are currently being cared for by World Horse Welfare.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A pet funeral association has slammed the sentence given to the owner of pet crematorium who gave bereaved owners ashes from the wrong animals.

Allan McMasters appeared at Cannock Magistrates Court last month (19 November) and was handed a 12-month community order including 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay more than £6,400 in costs, £2,000 of which will go to victims.

Stephen Mayles, vice chairman of the Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria, described the sentence given to McMasters as “ridiculously lenient”.

After a tip-off that animals were not being cremated, trading standards officers visited Swanpit Pet Crematorium in Gnosall, Staffordshire, in November 2015.

What they found, in the words of district judge Jack McGarva, was “something out of a horror movie”.

The officers found chest freezers filled with dead animals, plastic bin liners full of ashes and horse carcasses at the yard.

McMasters pleaded guilty to fraud and animal by-product offences.

His defence said he had not set out to deceive people.

“For the life of me, I can’t understand why Mr McMasters has also been allowed to carry on his business,” said Mr Mayles.

Mr Mayles urged the public and vets to do their homework thoroughly on pet crematoria in the wake of the scandal.

“The sad truth is that so many similarly disturbing cases have been brought to our attention over the past few years,” he said.

“This particular operator was not registered with the APPCC [Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria]. Our members must operate with complete transparency and adhere to a strict code of practice.”

The APPCC points out that the pet cremation industry is unregulated, apart from an obligation to comply with waste (animal by-product) disposal and The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

“Swanpit is an extreme case, but we believe the mis-selling of services is rife in our sector, especially in relation to how pets are handled and transported,” added Mr Mayles.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure the high standards the public would rightly expect.

“Sadly, many pet owners never get told their pet’s ashes were destined for a council tip, or that their bodies have been collected with waste and their bodies heaped in the back of a van.

“To many people pets are family too, and if their owners want to guarantee a send-off which reflects that, they need to ask a lot of questions.”

Ref: H&H 24 December, 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Irish showjumper Cian O’Connor and Horse Sport Ireland’s (HSI) appeal surrounding the European Championships will be delivered next month.

HSI and Cian appeared before the Court for Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, last week (16 December).

At the 2015 European Championships, Cian looked on target for a clear with Good Luck when a member of the arena party dashed across his path and jumped into the flower bed around which Cian was turning round before tackling an oxer.

Cian says the distraction caused Good Luck to fault. Ireland lost out on a Rio place to Spain by just 0.38 faults. On the day, HSI’s protest and appeal were dismissed.

Cian and HSI allege the incident cost Ireland’s showjumping team its Olympic place.

“We had a long hearing. We now have to wait for the decision which we are unlikely to receive before early January,” said HSI’s Damian McDonald.

“I want to thank our legal team of senior counsel Martin Hayden, specialist CAS counsel David Casserly, Joe Fitzpatrick and Eamon Carey from Smithwick Solicitors. Along with Cian O’Connor and his legal team they did a top class job in preparing and presenting the case.”

The Ground Jury, presided over by Britain’s Jon Doney, said Cian could have stopped and signalled to the judges, but continued.

“To have a showjumping team at the Olympic Games is very important for Ireland,” said HSI chairman Pat Wall.

“Our riders and their owners are doing a huge amount to promote Ireland as a world leader in the sport.

“They went to the European Championships to pursue their Olympic dream. A freak incident occurred on the day, which hindered our efforts. All we are looking for is fair play. We are convinced that if this incident had not happened, the Irish team would be going to the Olympics.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A rider from Surrey has been awarded £4,506 in compensation after being injured on a hack.

David Moore was on his way back from a ride on 29 December 2013, in single file on a country lane riding an eight-year-old ex-racehorse, Mithian.

He noticed an approaching car slowing to pass them.

As the passing car moved alongside the riders, he heard a loud screeching of tyres behind him. He looked behind to see a car skidding towards them. The car collided with the horse’s hindlegs. Mr Moore managed to stay in the saddle, however the force of the collision set off his air jacket. Both horse and rider sustained injuries in the crash.

“The car came sweeping round the bend,” Mr Moore told H&H. “The driver said the sun was in her eyes and she skidded.

“The car went under the back legs of my horse. He was hopping lame and I thought he’d broken his leg, but luckily after about 10 minutes he put weight on it.”

The horse suffered a damaged tendon and was off work for eight weeks. Mr Moore suffered neck and shoulder injuries after being “launched forward” in the saddle.

At a hearing on 6 October he was awarded damages of more than £4,500 to assist with the care of his horse.

“He’s such a genuine horse,” added Mr Moore. “He’s done some hunting and competes at BE90 with my wife. I’m more wary of traffic now – it’s knocked my confidence more than his and I’d think twice about going on busy roads.”

A spokesman for HorseSolicitor, who defended Mr Moore said: “Despite the early admission of liability by the other party, it was necessary to commence court proceedings to ensure that our client received the amount of compensation to which he was entitled for his injuries and financial losses.”

Ref: H&H 16 December, 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Irish showjumper Cian O’Connor and Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) are to appear at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, tomorrow (Wednesday 16 December), seeking a showjumping place at Rio 2016.

At the 2015 European Championships, Cian — the London 2012 individual bronze medallist — looked on target for a clear with Good Luck when a member of the arena party dashed across his path and jumped into the flower bed around which Cian was turning round before tackling an oxer.

Cian says the distraction caused Good Luck to fault. Ireland lost out on a Rio place to Spain by just 0.38 faults. On the day, HSI’s protest and appeal were dismissed.

Cian and HSI allege the incident cost Ireland’s showjumping team its Olympic place.

The Ground Jury, presided over by Britain’s Jon Doney, said Cian could have stopped and signalled to the judges, but continued.

HSI’s legal team for the hearing will be led by senior counsel Martin Hayden. He will be supported by barrister David Casserly, who is an expert CAS Counsel, along with Joe Fitzpatrick and Eamon Carey from Smithwick Solicitors.

“To have a showjumping team at the Olympic Games is very important for Ireland,” said HSI chairman Pat Wall.

“Our riders and their owners are doing a huge amount to promote Ireland as a world leader in the sport. They went to the European Championships to pursue their Olympic dream. A freak incident occurred on the day, which hindered our efforts. All we are looking for is fair play. We are convinced that if this incident had not happened, the Irish team would be going to the Olympics.

“Our legal team have prepared diligently. Martin Hayden and Joe Fitzpatrick are also involved in, and have a huge passion for, our sport. They have put in a huge effort to prepare this case.

“In addition, Cian O’Connor has his own legal advisors involved, and the two teams have been working closely to ensure we put forward the strongest possible case.”

Last month Cian said he was “confident” that CAS has the power to rectify the FEI’s failure to implement its own rules.

The Irish eventing team has already qualified for the Olympics, and Mr Wall said that it would be a great boost to the whole sector to have two teams in Rio.

“Judy Reynolds has also been doing brilliantly in dressage, so we have a great chance a securing a place in that discipline also,” said Mr. Wall.

“To have a full showjumping team there, with the prospect of securing medals, would be the icing on the cake.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

By Madeleine Hill

Top dressage rider and former national dressage champion Nicky Barrett (pictured, top) has won a court case involving a purchaser who wanted to return a horse three months later.

Basingstoke County Court heard on 23 November that Sheena Moore bought the five-year-old mare (not pictured) from Premiere Dressage — owned by Nicky and her husband Richard — in January 2015 through a local young horse producer called Gareth Bulley.

The horse was fully vetted and Mrs Moore tried the horse three times before purchasing it.

In March Mrs Moore said the horse had reared with her and was not suitable as she was “a novice rider”. She asked Premiere Dressage to take the horse back and refund the full purchase price of £7,000.

When the Barretts refused, Mrs Moore sued Premiere Dressage under the Sale of Goods act claiming the horse was not fit for purpose.

District Judge David Carney found in favour of Premiere Dressage that the horse had been professionally produced and was fit for purpose.

“The horse was just a normal, small mare, not a big mover but able to do shoulder-in and half-pass etcetera,” said Nicky.

“We’ve had her since she was three and sent her to Gareth to sell. Mrs Moore came to try the horse with two different people and it had a five-stage vetting. The horse spooked during the vetting and she was asked if she wanted to go ahead and she did — she signed a written contract. I had to prove that the rear was learned behaviour since she had had the horse.”

H&H contacted Mrs Moore but had no response.

Ref: H&H 10 December, 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A livery yard owner has had a claim of more than £75,000 against her dismissed — reassuring fellow business owners to fight their cases.

The yard owner, who wished to remain anonymous, runs a DIY yard of 45 horses.

The claimant was a 10-year-old girl who stabled a pony that she had on loan at the yard. The child took the pony off the yard on an unsupervised hack on 14 August 2012 and was thrown off — sustaining two fractures to her thoracic spine, which required surgery.

The child’s solicitors said that as well as providing livery services, the owner was also responsible for the provision of riding lessons, the pony’s loan scheme, and for supervising minors while they were on the yard.

They claimed that the owner had been negligent by failing to ensure that the child was supervised while on the yard and that she should have prevented the girl from leaving the yard with the pony.

HorseSolicitor, representing the owner, said that she had no involvement with the loan scheme or the riding lessons and that the yard’s policy was that children under 16 should not have been on the yard without supervision.

They added that the child’s mother was, or should have been, aware of this because the yard rules were displayed prominently in the office and in a contract she was provided with — but did not sign or return.

On 5 November a judge dismissed the claim, saying there was no obligation for the owner to have supervised the child on the yard.

“Yard owners should not have to worry about spurious claims damaging their reputation or profitability,” said a HorseSolicitor spokesman. “Yard owners should ensure they have adequate insurance in place, including legal cover, to protect against such claims.

“We were able to reassure our client that the claim against her was unlikely to be successful and robustly defend it.”

Ref: H&H 3 December, 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A mother and son have received a lifetime ban from keeping equines after two horses they owned died of suspected ragwort poisoning.

Katrina and Liam Till of Deykin Road, Lichfield appeared before Stafford Magistrates for sentencing on Thursday (3 December).

Both had both been found guilty of offences relating to Animal Welfare Act, on 24 November, which included failure to explore and address the horses’ poor body condition, failure to provide adequate diet, failure to provide sufficient worm and lice control, and failure to provide adequate foot care.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary assisted the RSPCA with the rescue of the horses on two separate occasions. On 3 October 2014 a two-year-old 13hh piebald cob called Bella (pictured, top) was removed from a field in Staffordshire. On 19 December 2014 a 20-year-old 14hh palomino cob cross called Holly was seized.

Both mares were seized on veterinary grounds having been discovered in very poor condition. Bella was body condition score 1 and Holly 0.5. Both had foals at foot.

Liam Till was disqualified from keeping equines for life and received a suspended prison sentence, community order for 18 months and £750 costs.

Katrina Till was also disqualified from keeping equines for life and received a community order for 18 months, plus £750 costs. Both received a confiscation order regarding the two foals.

Bella initially showed signs of improvement while in the care of the Redwings Oxhill team being bright and alert, eating well. However, within three months of her rescue she began to lose her appetite and struggled to maintain her weight.

Bella and her foal were then moved to the Sanctuary’s veterinary hospital for a liver biopsy and blood tests, which confirmed serious liver disease.

Bella’s liver was so damaged that she was put down in February 2015. Bella left behind her foal “Arabella”, who was named by the Redwings team in memory of her mother.

Holly initially arrived at Redwings Oxhill as a severely underweight and unhandled mare, displaying wild, frightened behaviours. Holly and her foal were taken to Redwings’ quarantine centre in Norfolk.

As well as being incredibly malnourished, Holly was suffering from worms, lice and a lack of dental care.

However, similarly to Bella, Holly was also found to have liver disease. She was put down in March.

“When I found Bella and her foal they were in such a bad way,” said RSPCA inspector Kate Levesley.

“Bella was emaciated and was unable to provide any milk for little Arabella. It was a relief when police removed them and placed them into the care of Redwings. Then, it was shocking to find Holly and her foal Savannah in an equally bad way just two months later, and so thankfully again, police were able to remove them and place them at Redwings. This ban means that these two people will not be able to neglect horses again.”

Redwings’ Nicolas de Brauwere said the charity was pleased to hear the outcome.

“But as with so many welfare cases we see, this should not have happened to these mares in the first place,” he added.

“We believe their liver disease was as a result of ragwort poisoning; as they were not provided with suitable grazing or an adequate diet, it is most likely they would have consumed ragwort in their field.

“Holly’s foal Savannah (pictured, below) initially displayed similar symptoms of liver compromise as shown by her mother and Bella, but as this has been caught early we’re very hopeful for her future.

“It’s very upsetting that in both cases Bella and Holly responded well in the early days after their rescue — having been given the basic care and nourishment they were so desperately lacking from their owners — but then went downhill so rapidly. Their case is extremely upsetting, but we take some comfort in that justice has been served for the mares – and for their foals.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

There are now no registered hunts with Hunting Act cases outstanding against them after the final case collapsed today (Thursday 3 December).

A case against the Lamerton Hunt collapsed three days into a scheduled 10-day trial at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court, when private prosecutors, the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), withdrew all evidence.

Yesterday (Wednesday, 2 December) the court sought confirmation from absent LACS acting chief executive Rachel Newman, a qualified solicitor, that she had advised expert witness Professor Stephen Harris not to disclose a close personal relationship between himself and LACS head of operations Paul Tillsley.

Professor Harris had also been accused of embellishing his experience of hunting while giving evidence. The LACS this morning withdrew all charges.

In a private prosecution, the LACS had summoned six members of the Lamerton Hunt in West Devon to face allegations of illegal hunting and pursued them through the courts for more than 18 months after Devon and Cornwall Police correctly ruled that they had no case to answer.

“We were confident from the start that we had done nothing wrong and that all our hunting was legal, but our names and the allegations that the LACS were making were all over the local papers,” said David Lewis, huntsman of the Lamerton Hunt.

“The whole thing seemed to go on forever and whilst we are happy it is now all over it was not a pleasant experience.”

The defendants were represented by barrister Peter Glenser and solicitor Jamie Foster.

The Countryside Alliance’s Tim Bonner added: “This appalling case raises a series of fundamental questions about the abuse of the criminal justice system by vindictive private prosecutors. LACS spent more than a £100,000 of charitable funds on a case that the police had correctly judged simply did not stand up. In desperation it has then sought to present as independent an expert witness who was clearly deeply prejudiced against the defendants.

“LACS sought to corrupt the criminal justice system and use it to harass six innocent people over an 18-month period. Questions need to be asked about this abuse at the highest levels.”

This was the last outstanding case from the 2013/14 season, while there were no prosecutions in the 2014/15 season.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A horse trader from north Staffordshire who used a registered vet’s details fraudulently to obtain passports to sell his animals has been ordered to pay more than £3,500 in compensation, writes Amy Mathieson.

Mark Allman, 54, of Madeley Heath Farm, Madeley, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of fraud at Stafford Crown Court on 15 October.

Allman used the registration details of Moorlands vet Ian Elkington and a business stamp from Mr Elkington’s practice, Moorlands Veterinary Centre in Leek, to obtain horse passports from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Allman was handed a two-year prison sentence — suspended for two years on each of the 11 offences — plus 200 hours unpaid community work, to be done in 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £4,226 costs and compensation totalling £3,720.

The prosecution was brought by Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards animal health team, which was alerted when one of the victims tried to trace a horse they had bought.

The signature on the horse’s passport had apparently been signed by vet Ian Elkington, but further investigations revealed that Mr Elkington had been on holiday on the date the passport was signed, meaning he could not possibly have signed it.

“Mark Allman went to great lengths to obtain passports for the horses he sold, using the name of a reputable vet and even going to the lengths of getting a business stamp made,” said county councillor Gill Heath.

“Horses cannot be bought or sold without a passport by law, so by getting these passports, Mr Allman was able to sell a total of 10 horses and make an estimated £29,000.

“We are grateful that due to the vigilance of one buyer, we have been able to bring him to justice and alert the public to these issues.”

Ref: H&H 3/12/15

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A man from Co. Durham has been banned from keeping animals for five years after “failing to provide adequate care for his horse”.

Christopher Steele, of Clough Dene, Tantobie, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Friday (13 November).

He was accused of offences involving the welfare of a young skewbald horse that he kept in a field in Edmondsley.

Steele pleaded guilty to two offences relating to inappropriate tethering and failing to provide adequate hoof care for the 18-month old horse Geordie, now renamed Skippy, in February.

“Poor Skippy was found straying in a field with a snapped tether chain hanging from his neck,” said RSPCA inspector Helen Scott.

“This type of tether is completely inappropriate. We then noticed his hooves were far too long and were splitting and peeling. We tried to give Mr Steele advice previously, which was clearly ignored.”

“Skippy was removed on veterinary advice on 1 March. Now he has been signed over to us and we can find him the loving home he deserves.”

He was banned from keeping animals for five years. He was also handed a 12-month community order to include 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £985 costs; £831.50 vets bills; and a £60 victim surcharge.

The court heard that Steele committed two offences under section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, by failing to ensure the horse’s welfare needs were met through included inappropriate tethering and failing to provide adequate hoofcare.

Steele was acquitted of two further allegations relating to failure to provide a suitable living environment, and failure to ensure fresh drinking water was available.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A man has been jailed for 14 months after he admitted sexually assaulting a horse in Redenhall, South Norfolk.

Alan Blackman, 31, of no fixed address, admitted attempted intercourse with a horse and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.

He was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court last week (23 October).

The court heard Blackman had filmed himself during the attack that lasted for more than an hour.

Blackman said he was high on cocaine and amphetamines and could not remember the incident. He had also consumed large amounts of alcohol.

He was caught on CCTV installed by the horse’s owner, Linda Molkenthin.

Ms Molkenthin realised something had happened to her 21-year-old Hanoverian mare, Lottie, the morning after the attack (7 August).

“There was a water container and a knife in her stable,” she told H&H.

“We checked her over and she looked ok initially. Then we looked at the CCTV and saw he had been in there. We immediately called the vet out to look at her.”

Lottie was found to have suffered severe internal and external injuries.

Ms Molkenheim has owned the mare for 11 years and the pair enjoyed doing dressage together. The Hanoverian is now semi-retired, but was being hacked out prior to the attack.

“I’m so grateful we had CCTV,” added Ms Molkenthon.

Speaking after sentencing, detective sergeant Alison Clabon said: “Crimes such as this are very rare and today’s sentencing will hopefully send out a strong message that this sort of criminality will not be tolerated and the justice system will come down hard on those who feel they can get away with such a horrifying crime.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A man has been convicted of careless driving, thanks to evidence from a rider’s helmet camera.

Ian Thatcher, 39, of McCarthy Way in Finchampstead, was found guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last week (17 September).

The near miss occurred last year (16 November) when rider Linda Harrison was hacking with a friend towards Coombes Woods in Barkham, Berkshire.

The pair were approaching a roundabout on Barkham Street when a Vauxhall Vivaro van driven by Thatcher began to overtake the horses. A red Ford vehicle was forced to make a sudden stop as the van was on the wrong side of the road.

Thatcher, who was holding a mobile phone at the time, then forced his way past the horses — leaving only an arm’s length between the van and Ms Harrison.

Both riders were wearing high-vis clothing and Ms Harrison had an HD CCTV camera fixed to her helmet, which was recording the ride.

“Luckily I was wearing the helmet camera,” Ms Harrison told H&H. “I bought one as I was fed up with all the lunatic drivers and have had a few near misses.

“The picture quality is amazing and I would recommend them to other riders. It’s just a little headband — you wouldn’t even know it’s there.”

Ms Harrison was riding her friend’s horse, Tuppence, a 14.2hh black cob (pictured above).

“Luckily he was very well behaved and we avoided a serious accident,” she added.

Thatcher was found guilty of one count of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road/in a public place without due care and attention.

He did not attend court and in his absence he was fined £383 and given six points on his driving licence.

“We have had a number of incidents on our rural roads in the past few years where horses have been involved or injured and this conviction just goes to show that the police will take seriously any allegation it receives against motorists,” said PC Laura Wright.

“The hat camera evidence available in this case has assisted towards the conviction of a man showing complete disregard to other road users.”

Riders wishing to discuss safety advice with PC Laura Wright or PCSO Suzanna Carr should contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A man has admitted sexually attacking a horse in Redenhall, South Norfolk.

Alan Blackman, 31, of no fixed address appeared via video link at Norwich Crown Court yesterday (7 September).

He admitted attempted intercourse with a horse and trespass with intent to commit a sexual office.

Blackman was caught thanks to CCTV installed by the horse’s owner, Linda Molkenthin.

Ms Molkenthin realised something had happened to her 21-year-old Hanoverian mare, Lottie, the morning after the attack (7 August).

“There was a water container and a knife in her stable,” she told H&H.

“We checked her over and she looked ok initially. Then we looked at the CCTV and saw he had been in there. We immediately called the vet out to look at her.”

Lottie was found to have suffered severe internal and external injuries.

“We had the vet out again today (7 September) as she still has a massive infection, despite having three weeks of antibiotics and pain killers” said Ms Molkenthon.

Lottie and Ms Molkenthon’s two other horses were moved following the attack.

“Police said we can’t keep her at the old stables,” said Ms Molkenthon.

“Lottie has been very stressed after being moved and has had to endure a lot of examinations as well.”

Ms Molkenheim has owned Lottie for 11 years and the pair enjoyed doing dressage together. The Hanoverian is now semi-retired, but was being hacked out prior to the attack.

“I’m so grateful we had CCTV,” added Ms Molkenthon.

Judge Stephen Holt called for a psychiatric report to be carried out before Blackman is sentenced next month (23 October).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A New Zealand event rider is urgently trying to get his four-star ride back after the horse was seized at Hartpury Horse Trials.

Just Ironic, ridden by Craig Nicolai and owned by his mother Anne, was taken by bailiffs at the Gloucestershire fixture last month (13 August).

Craig told H&H that he found out through Facebook that the horse was advertised for sale.

“It is hard because he has always been a part of the family,” Craig told H&H.

He added the support he has had from social media users has been “amazing”.

Just Ironic was bought as a two-year-old by Anne and Craig took over the ride in 2006. The combination went from novice to advanced in a year.

They have competed at six four-stars together and were entered for Burghley Horse Trials this week (3-6 September).

The grey gelding, by Ironclad, has 313 British Eventing points and has competed with Craig at numerous other international events.

The Kiwi eventer said on his Facebook page that the horse, known as Spida, had been seized as part of a dispute with a former livery over payments.

He also said that they are awaiting a third-party property court hearing, which is currently scheduled for 11 September.

“I am so very grateful for all of the support that I am receiving, but feel that the credibility of both my mother and I has been unfairly jeopardised by this horrendous situation and a special horse to our family is suffering the consequences,” he wrote.

According to Craig, proof of his mother’s ownership of the horse has been supplied to the courts and bailiffs.

The bailiffs and other party involved in the dispute have not responded to H&H’s requests for comment.

NZ Eventing said it hopes the situation is “sorted out quickly”.

“Craig and his supporters are desperately trying to get the 17-year-old horse back, including on the basis he is owned by Craig’s mother Anne who lives back here in New Zealand,” the organisation posted on social media on 29 August.

“We know there is a special lifelong bond between the Nicolai family and Spida.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The FEI is due in court tomorrow (Thursday 3 September) in a further bid to stop Global Champions Tour launching its own multi-million pound team series.

GCT supremos Jan Tops and Frank McCourt want to create the Global Champions League (GCL) in which patrons “own” teams, as in polo or Formula 1, adding a further £12 million to the annual GCT prize pot.

But the FEI rejected the series, which poses a threat to the established FEI Nations Cup. In July, the Belgian Competition Authority ruled in favour of GCL.

Now the FEI is asking the same court to over-turn its decision.

GCL team “owners” would invest £2 million apiece and “buy and sell” riders from rival squads. British rider and world number one Scott Brash was among the first to state his interest.

The GCL accuses the FEI of stifling the development of jumping and abusing its position as a regulatory body to protect its commercial interests.

GCT has not challenged the FEI’s GCL rejection directly, but instead asked the court to consider the FEI’s “unsanctioned events” rule which has applied since 2013. This would prevent GCL participants from competing in regular FEI competitions for six months.

A FEI spokesman said: “The FEI cannot comment on the specifics of a pending legal dispute, but the rationale explaining the unsanctioned event rule clearly outlines the potential horse welfare issues that could occur at events that are not subject to FEI regulations.

“Other international federations have similar provisions and much tougher sanctions for breaches.”

The FEI said GCL had not submitted detailed rules for its series and had failed to respond to an invitation to do so.

Interestingly, current GCT rules (detailed in full below), which are in accordance with FEI rules, forbid riders from entering two five-star shows during the same weekend. This prevents someone jumping for his country in a FEI Nations Cup, which are usually staged on Fridays, and riding at a GCT on the Saturday and Sunday.

GCT rules on entries: In accordance with the current FEI rules on entries, no competitor may enter more than one event on the same weekend without the agreement of both OCs. The penalty for contravening this rule is disqualification from the event. This does not apply to Athletes on the definite entry list who have been selected to replace another Athlete at a CSIO on the same week end (Jumping rules Art. 251.14). OCs of GCT events will permit Athletes who withdraw following the deadline date for the definite entries from a GCT event to participate at a CSI4* or lower event on the same dates but will not allow participation of such Athletes in another CSI 5* on the same dates.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A woman who runs a horse and carriage service has been banned from keeping equines for life after pleading guilty to neglecting seven horses.

Beverly Knight, of York Avenue, East Cowes, appeared before Newport Magistrates yesterday (Wednesday, 26 August).

Knight pleaded guilty to charges under section 4 and section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act of failing to treat problems with the legs and feet of two horses and leaving the group of horses in unsanitary conditions.

She was also given an eight-week suspended sentence and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, as well as being fined £250.

In March the RSPCA was called to the regal Osborne House Estate on the Isle of Wight, after members of the public raised concerns about the way horses being used for a horse and carriage rides to the house were being treated.

The service was being run by Knight, a contractor working for the historic site, and seven horses were being used to pick visitors up and take them to the house.

The RSPCA found the seven horses living in “unsuitable conditions” in stables that “had not been cleaned out for months”.

Two Clydesdales, named Claude and Reilly, were underweight and covered in mites that had not been treated.

“These horses had been left to suffer living in awful conditions,” said RSPCA inspector Mark Buggie.

“One of the horses was even standing on top of a pile of muck so high that his head was in the rafters.

“The defendant cooperated fully with our investigation and obviously regrets that the situation became as bad as it did.

“This case is a reminder that owning animals can be a big responsibility, both financially and otherwise, and owners have to make sure they can provide for the needs of the animals dependent on them.”

All seven horses have now made a good recovery and have been rehomed by the RSPCA.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The RSPCA will no longer pursue those accused of illegal foxhunting through the courts.

This decision comes following a review by Stephen Wooler, former chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), after the charity was accused of wasting funds and donations by prosecuting hunters for political reasons.

The report, carried out last year, made 33 recommendations on the charity’s investigation and prosecution activity.

It advised that the RSPCA should continue its role as prosecuting body, but the organisation accepted it needed to adapt its approach to law enforcement.

One of the criticisms levelled at the RSPCA was the amount of money spent on prosecutions under the Hunting Act.

In 2012, the RSPCA spent £327,000 prosecuting the Heythrop Hunt, in Oxfordshire

David Bowles, of the RSPCA, said: “We have listened to Stephen Wooler and have acted on his recommendation to adopt a clear policy on how we deal with cases specifically against traditional hunts. We will still look into allegations, before passing the evidence to the police, who will be invited to complete the investigation before handing the case to the CPS.”

Tim Bonner, director of campaigns at the Countryside Alliance, said: “The RSPCA is in an extremely difficult position as a political campaigning organisation and as a prosecutor. We have long argued it makes it almost impossible for them to make objective decisions on prosecutions.”

The RSPCA’s only pending prosecution of a hunt was dropped on 18 March due to lack of evidence.

Will Bryer, master and huntsman of the Cattistock Hunt in Dorset, had been charged with one offence of hunting a fox with hounds.

The incident was alleged to have taken place on 2 December 2014. A hearing was due to take place at Weymouth Magistrates Court on 20 March.

However, the RSPCA wrote to Mr Bryer’s solicitor Jamie Foster, stating it would not be pursuing the prosecution as there is no evidence on which they could legitimately continue.

CA’s figures show that in 2013 — the last year the RSPCA carried out prosecutions of hunts before this case — 79% of the summonses issued by the RSPCA against hunt staff and supporters failed, costing more than £100,000 of tax payers’ money.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A 22-year-old man is due to appear in court today (Monday 6 July) charged with the murder of a stable worker.

The victim, named locally as 21-year-old Laura Davies, was stabbed multiple times in Pitsea Hall Lane, near Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society (EHPPS) where she worked, on Friday (3 July).

Essex Police were called to the scene at 8.15pm, but Laura died from her injuries.

Over the weekend, Jordan Taylor, 22, of Churchill Avenue, Basildon, was charged with murdering a woman in Pitsea.

Taylor is due to appear at before magistrates in Basildon today.

A 20-year-old man was also arrested in connection with the incident and has been released without charge.

The charity where Laura worked published a tribute to her on their Facebook page on Saturday (4 July).

It said: “Most of you will have read in the press by now at the sad death of one of our team, Laura Davies, last night.

“Laura was dedicated, caring, compassionate and hard working with a true love for all the animals here at the Sanctuary. They certainly loved her very much too.

“A beautiful and very special girl who will be so missed by us all. Our thoughts are with Laura’s family at this time; we can’t begin to imagine their heartache.

“It has been our privilege and honour to have had Laura as part of our team.”

It added: “Sleep in peace lovely girl.”

Paton and Lee Equine Veterinary Surgery in Essex also paid tribute to the 21-year-old.

A statement from the surgery published on social media said their thoughts and prayers are with all at EHPPS and with Laura’s family and friends.

It said: “This is a terrible blow for the sanctuary and we know that everyone there is in such shock.

“They all do fantastic work rescuing and caring for horses and ponies across Essex.

“Laura was a brilliant, kind and caring person who dedicated herself to horses and ponies treated cruelty by the worst in society.”

The statement went on to say that they felt the best way to support the charity and Laura’s legacy is to donate to the EHPPS and urged their clients to do the same.

It added: “So sad. So pointless. Such a waste of a young, bright life.”

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses.

DCI Marina Ericson, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, who is leading the investigation, urged anyone who was in the area of the horse sanctuary or Wat Tyler Park around the time of the murder to contact Essex Police.

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now