Tributes have been paid and reviews will be carried out after three racehorses died in separate incidents at Kempton Park on Saturday (10 January).

Kalif Du Berlais, Wertpol and Peso sustained fatal injuries in separate races.

A British Horseracing Authority (BHA) spokesperson said the BHA will analyse each incident in detail through its fatality review process.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Grade One winner Kalif Du Berlais unseated jockey Harry Cobden at the ninth fence in the Grade Two Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase and sustained a fatal injury.

Mr Nicholls said he was devastated by the loss.

“He was a beautiful horse who had already brought so much joy to his owners and our team, crowned by a brilliant victory at Aintree last year. He showed such immense talent and promise, with a bright future ahead of him and we were lucky to train him in Ditcheat,” he said.

“Our deepest condolences go to his owners, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson, The Hales Family, Paul Hogarth and Peter Done and our team who cared for him at home, Sasha who looked after him and Olive who rode him every day.

“Racing can be unbearably hard at times. Rest easy Kalif.”

Wertpol’s trainer Harry Derham paid tribute to the four-year-old, who was fatally injured in a fall in a hurdle race earlier that day.

“He was a bright talent who was fresh and happy doing his work every day, often playing around and expressing himself. He loved his job and I am so sad for his Heart of the South syndicate, who are the most wonderful group of people,” he said.

“Racing at times can at times be a painful sport and today has been a tough day for a number of connections.”

Peso, a seven-year-old owned by Patrick Doyle and trained by Jonjo and AJ O’Neil, was pulled up by his jockey ahead of the eighth fence in a handicap chase.

The BHA spokesperson paid tribute to the three horses and said the BHA is “deeply saddened” by the fatalities.

“Our thoughts are with the connections of the horses, including the owners, trainers and the racing grooms, who looked after and cared for them throughout their lives and will be most affected by their loss,” he said.

“Each of the horses was attended immediately by the veterinary team on the racecourse, who quickly assessed the extent of the injuries and the most appropriate course of action.”

The spokesperson added: “The BHA will now analyse each of the incidents in detail through our fatality review process. This involves an in-depth review into every fatality that occurs on a raceday, with input from experts including veterinarians, racecourse teams and participants.

“At this stage there does not appear to be any common factor that can be attributed to these incidents, with each of the injuries different in nature and sustained in unique circumstances.”

“But as is the case where there is more than one fatality at a single race meeting, the BHA will also initiate its additional review process to assess all relevant factors in conjunction with the racecourse and determine whether there may be any causal links.

“These processes are part of wider and ongoing efforts across British racing to continually improve safety and reduce avoidable risk of injuries and fatalities.”

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There was a devastating postscript to the second leg of the showjumping World Cup Finals when Chromatic BF, the third-placed horse, collapsed and died in the stables shortly afterwards.

The FEI confirmed said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that the US horse Chromatic BF, ridden by Jill Humphrey, has passed away during the FEI World Cup Final.

“Chromatic BF had returned to the stables after competition on the evening of 18 April and later unexpectedly collapsed. He was immediately attended to by the US Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians but was unable to be resuscitated.”

There will be a post-mortem in line with FEI veterinary regulations.

“Tears of joy and tears of loss”

Chromatic BF, who had produced a brilliant double clear with Jill Humphrey, in Thursday night’s jump-off class, was taken back to the stables after the prize-giving and lap of honour, where he was calm and settled. He was given “refreshment and a routine shot of electrolytes” by the US team vet and died in his stall. His owner-breeder Katharine Branscomb, who has had the 13-year-old since he was born, called for people to “remember him for how he lived, not how he died”.

She wrote on Facebook: “I am writing this to try to clarify what has already begun to travel as rumours surrounding events that happened here in Riyadh involving Chromatic after tonight’s spectacular performance. After hacking normally after the class, Chromatic returned to the barn happy and calm attended by his lifetime caretaker Pepe Rodriguez and Jill. After resting and refreshment, he was given a routine recovery shot of electrolytes by the USET team veterinarian. Upon returning to his stable to be wrapped, blanketed, and put away for the evening, with me present (Kc Branscomb) the horse began seizured and collapsed in the stall. He was immediately treated and examined by both the USET and FEI veterinarians and was pronounced dead shortly after.

“As owner and breeder, I want it clearly stated that no one was at fault. The horse did not suffer and there is no evidence that his passing was in any way related to his strenuous and spectacular performance with Jill well over an hour earlier or the routine injection by the veterinarian. A full autopsy report will be provided to me at some point. But what I HOPE people will take away from this freak accident and great tragedy is that it was a night of tears – tears of joy and tears of loss. If I would ask anything of those of you that knew or celebrated him, let’s remember him for how he lived and not for how he died.”

Chromatic BF’s brilliant performance at World Cup Finals

Chromatic BF, a black gelding by Connor, was looking like the breakout star of this jumping World Cup Finals. He had not had a pole down in the three rounds from the two classes so far, and last night found only Henrik von Eckermann’s King Edward and Peder Fredericson’s Catch Me Not S too good. He was lying equal fifth in the standings ahead of Saturday’s final class.

Chromatic had only started competing internationally in the autumn of 2023 and enjoyed a meteoric rise up the ranks, having been previously ridden by Daniel Zilla and Branscomb Farms. Jill paid tribute to how well the gelding had been produced.

“I feel so blessed to be able to ride him,” she said, straight after the competition. “He has obviously had a great upbringing so he was ready to compete at this level. I’ve only had the ride a year, and this was his fourth 1.60m class, so he is very impressive.”

“His personality is so special, he’s such a love.”

Tributes have poured in from Jill’s fellow riders and the US equestrian community

Mcclain Ward wrote: “What an incredible story this horse and his people have shared to the top level of the sport. I have always thought Jill was a top rate rider and to see the success she’s had, combined with the genuine love for all the positive aspects of our sport and our life with horses from those around Chromatic is inspirational. All of our hearts break tonight with you and know the entire horse world is with you.”

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Three horses have died in three days at the notorious Santa Anita racetrack in California, despite an increase in safety measures.

The course made global headlines last year after campaigners highlighted its extraordinary death toll, with 42 horses having sustained fatal injuries since December 2018.

Despite a commitment to improvements last year, fatalities have continued at the course, with three horses having to be euthanised between 17 and 19 January.

A five-year-old gelding called Uncontainable was reported to have fractured his off-fore fetlock on 17 January, while a six-year-old gelding named Harliss had to be put to sleep after suffering the same injury the following day. Tikkin Olam, a four-year-old gelding, also died following a training accident on 19 January.

In December last year, Los Angeles County District Attorney ruled that there had been no criminal animal cruelty or unlawful conduct at the course and issued a string of recommendations on how to improve safety at tracks.

The investigation followed ongoing efforts to curb the death toll throughout 2019.

In March last year, after a tally of 21 deaths, racing at the track was suspended for three weeks while experts investigated the dirt surface. New rules were also brought in to tighten the use of medications and ban jockeys from using a whip other than for safety reasons.

But losses continued after the Arcadia park reopened, and in June, Santa Anita’s owners the Stronarch Group agreed to an enhanced safety review.

The use of medications that mask injury are thought to be behind the high number of fatalities and the park embraced measures including the introduction of a five-member panel providing additional reviews of horses’ medical, training and racing history before they are permitted to run.

Santa Anita now claims to have the “most rigorous medication policies within the US”, which include “strict limitations” on the use of pain or anti-inflammatory medication and treatment, including legal therapeutic non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), joint injections, shockwave therapy, and anabolic steroids.

The Stronach Group has also invested $500,000 (£379,000) towards the purchase of a PET scanner for the early detection of pre-existing conditions.

In recent months, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has also sought to introduce new rules to crack down on the use of substances that can either mask injury or increase the risk of injury when horses are running at speed. This takes measures introduced at Santa Anita and extends them across their jurisdiction.

Continues below…

Safety review follows 29 equine deaths at US track

‘We remain steadfast in our commitment to making California horse racing the safest and best in the world’

Desperate appeal for help after nine horses’ mystery deaths

The horses have all seemed in good health, but died within minutes

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On 22 January, the CHRB approved an emergency regulation that only permits “hay, oats and water” to be administered on racedays. The anti-bleed medication Lasix is also allowed, but not at Santa Anita and Golden Gate for horses foaled in 2018.

At the same meeting, the board also adopted a rule requiring a full postmortem examination review of each fatality within a CHRB enclosure.

Racing in the US is governed currently by a patchwork of rules that span 38 different states’ laws. Legislation to place the federal government in charge of the sport has now gained the support of the majority of house representatives. Under the proposed measures, racehorses would be tested for banned substances under a new body controlled by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

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Social media has erupted once more over the death of a horse at a endurance ride.

The UAE’s Ulla de Luc collapsed after a racing finish in the 120km** during the HH Sheikh Mohammed Festival at Euston Park in Suffolk yesterday afternoon (Sunday 18 August).

She was pronounced dead on the finish line minutes later. A video of the stricken 11-year-old being attended was viewed 50,000 times within 24 hours on the “Clean Endurance” Facebook page alone.

Debate became so heated on Endurance GB’s Facebook page that on Monday afternoon EGB removed an official announcement about the fatality. EGB said that while it understood “emotions are running high”, its social media policy had been breached by commenters “several” times.

In a statement, the Euston organising committee said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Ulla De Luc, ridden by Ghanim Said Salim Al Owaisi (UAE) and owned by F3 Stables died while competing at Euston Park at 13.50pm on 18 August. A post-mortem will be carried out to ascertain the cause of death. At every FEI event, the maximum consideration is given to the safety and welfare of horses and competitors.”

Ulla was travelling at an average last loop speed of 28 kph – which is very fast for a British ride. The mare’s FEI record shows she had never been ridden in competition before by Al Owaisi, and had not completed a FEI ride since July 2018.

The mare is owned by the UAE’s premier F3 stables and was recently re-registered as trained by Ali Ghanim al Marri. Her previous trainer at the same stables, Khalifa Ghanim al Marri, has been provisionally suspended since February in connection with multiple prohibited substance positives returned by other horses in his care.

Ulla will be dope-tested as part of the compulsory post mortem. The official FEI vet did not attend the Sunday rides, but a FEI spokesman told H&H that sampling of other horses was undertaken by the veterinary commission.

The fatality has overshadowed the successful running at the same venue of the European endurance championships the previous day, in which Britain finished fifth of 11 teams. Spain took gold, France silver and Germany bronze. Rachael Atkinson (23rd; Tannasg Psyches Realm) and Annette Masterson (24th; Shoshana) were the first British riders home. Rachael’s daughter Kate (DNS Ronaldo) was 26th, while Sarah Rogerson (Warrens Hill Rubyn) also completed the 160km distance. Nicola Thorne (LM Bolena) was eliminated at vet gate three.

Continued below…

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‘Dream come true’: mother and daughter to compete alongside at Europeans

The revised focus on high speeds by first time horse-rider combinations comes at the time the UAE federation is lobbying hard against FEI proposals to combat this practice and many welfare concerns.

A letter from the Emirates Equestrian Federation to all of the FEI’s 130 member countries urges them to support the UAE’s preferred style of racing-endurance when the FEI rules consultation concludes in 10 days’ time.

Last autumn the FEI created an “emergency” temporary committee chaired by Britain’s Dr Sarah Coombs, tasked with reforming the sport. In response, the UAE – suspended by the FEI in 2015 for multiple rule breaches and stripped of hosting the 2016 world championship “because horse welfare could not be guaranteed” – uses the letter to accuse the FEI of “hindering the growth of the sport.”

Full Endurance European Championship report in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 29 August.

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A young event rider has died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall while she was riding out for a racing trainer.

The team at Iain Jardine Racing has confirmed “with great sadness” that 22-year-old Natasha Galpin suffered an accident on the Dumfries-based trainer’s grass gallops on Tuesday (15 January), which also resulted in the loss of a horse.

Natasha was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment, but died at 5.45pm yesterday (16 January).

“Our main priority throughout has been Natasha and the rest of our staff, who are distraught at the loss of a colleague and friend but have been extremely supportive of each other,” the statement said.

“As a team here, we are doing our best to get through and cope with this devastating situation.

“Natasha was an experienced and valued, full-time member of Team IJR. She was an accomplished event rider and ran her own livery yard. She worked alongside her boyfriend Olyn.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Natasha’s parents and sisters at this very sad time and we hope you will join us in respecting their privacy.

“We are grateful for the help we are receiving from racing’s support network including Racing Welfare and the National Trainers Federation.”

Police Scotland is carrying out enquiries into the circumstances of the accident.

The horse suffered guttural pouch mycosis, a ruptured artery, during work, “resulting in the unavoidable and unpredictable accident”, the trainer’s statement said, adding: “He was given all the necessary care and treatment required and the owners were immediately informed.”

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Grand National winner Many Clouds collapsed and died moments after passing the post in front of the exciting novice and Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

The two horses battled hard up Cheltenham’s famous hill with the 2015 Aintree winner narrowly getting his nose in front under his regular jockey Leighton Aspell. It was the second win in the race for the 10-year-old gelding, who was also first past the post prior to his Grand National triumph.

Everyone held their breath when Many Clouds collapsed after the finish and the green screens were erected around him. Sadly it was then announced that the popular chaser, owned by Trevor Hemmings, had died despite receiving immediate veterinary attention.

Many Clouds trainer Oliver Sherwood said on ITV4: “I always said he’d run through a brick wall for you and he did winning that race. He is a horse of a lifetime.”

Tributes have flooded in for the popular chaser, who was well known for giving his all on the racetrack.

His work rider Nathan Horrocks said: “He was such a hard horse but that was his downfall as well, he never knew when to give up.”

Colin Tizzard, trainer of second placed Thistlecrack, said: “Two lovely horses ran themselves to the line. It’s as sad as can be. Many Clouds was a better horse on the day.”

Many Clouds won 12 races from 27 starts during his National Hunt career, including the Gold Cup trial in 2015 and the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2014, collecting winnings of more than £800,000.

Continued below…

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Event organisers must arrange in advance stringent protocols for transporting equine fatalities to autopsy, after a casualty at last year’s world endurance championships was dumped at a livestock crematorium.

Organising committees, not the FEI, are responsible for ensuring casualties are taken for compulsory autopsy. But a catalogue of errors at Samorin in Slovakia last September led to the body of UAE team horse Ajayeb being “lost”. She was traced only because she was still wearing her GPS receiver from the ride.

The FEI announced its new demands on organisers the same week Samorin became the only remaining bidder for the 2022 World Equestrian Games (WEG), after Kentucky announced it was dropping out of contention (page 4, H&H magazine, 19 January).

The new protocols result from the FEI’s official investigation into what happened to 15-year-old Ajayeb.

Ridden by Sheikh Rashid al Maktoum, she was put down after sustaining an open leg fracture. Because of a shortage of horse ambulances, her body was off-loaded and stored in a non-refrigerated location for three days.

She could not be sent over the border as originally hoped for autopsy in Austria due to a paperwork oversight. A pathology facility in Slovakia then agreed to take her. But after leaving Samorin on the Tuesday, she failed to arrive, and was finally located among a pile of dead cows.

A FEI spokesman said its investigation revealed “shortcomings” but “no evidence of malpractice”.

“The findings also highlighted there were challenges as the incident happened on a non-business day and that there were some paperwork and authorisation issues related to legislation about transportation in different countries.”

Continued below…

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‘A very tough day’: horse dies at world endurance championships

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About Samorin

Samorin is one of only two venues to apply to host WEG 2022. It was also considered as a late replacement for WEG 2018 after Bromont dropped out.

FEI senior personnel attended the endurance world championships in Samorin, but thereafter chose the new Tryon venue in North Carolina, USA, as host for the 2018 Games.

Samorin is a 200-acre site developed by billionaire Slovak financier Mario Hoffmann, 48. A champion in dragon-boat racing and canoe sprint, Hoffman started riding at the age of 40 and quickly became an endurance enthusiast.

In the long term he plans to cater for multiple sports including swimming, gymnastics, skating, athletics and cycling as well as equestrian at Samorin.

H&H, 19 January 2017

A teenager has suffered life-threatening injuries and a New Forest pony has died after they were involved in a crash last night (6 July).

The 18-year-old woman, from Brokenhurst, was a passenger in a silver Volkswagen Polo that collided with the loose pony on the A35 in Hampshire.

She was taken to hospital by ambulance. Her next of kin have been informed.

The accident happened at around 11.15pm between Hinton and Holmsley and the pony died at the scene.

While animals in the New Forest are able to roam freely, major roads — including the A31, A35 and A337 — are fenced off to help avoid accidents.

“It is believed the pony had escaped onto the road through an insecure gate that may have been left open by a member of the public,” said a spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary.

Road closures that were put in place have now been lifted.

New Forest risks

Accidents involving animals on minor roads in the area are frequent as there are no barriers preventing ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep from straying onto highways.

In 2015, the number of animals killed or injured on New Forest roads was 76 — the lowest number recorded in the past 25 years.

This was the lowest ratio the roaming stock killed on the roads (0.51%) since records began in 1956.

A total of 38 ponies died in accidents last year — 30 of which were not wearing reflective collars — down from 43 in 2014.

The Animal Accident Reduction Group — made up of representatives from police, councils and various other organisations — was formed in 2007 to improve analysis of accident statistics and help coordinate action.

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There are a number of campaigns and initiatives to try and reduce the number of accidents.

These include road signs, enforcing speed limits and increasing visibility of animals through verge cutting and reflective collars.

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Drivers are urged to take care when driving in the dark mornings after two horses were killed in a fortnight.

Yesterday morning (9 February) a loose horse collided with a car (pictured, top) on the A1034 in Yorkshire.

The bay horse was struck just before 7am at Market Weighton, Sancton, and was killed instantly.

The driver sustained minor injuries.

“A 999 call was made to the police by the ambulance service requesting our assistance at the scene of a road traffic collision between a car and a horse,” said a police spokesman.

“The driver of the Ford Mondeo sustained minor injuries and the horse instantly died.”

According to officers, there were three other loose horses.

The road was closed between Newbald and Market Weighton.

Collision in Scotland

Last month (29 January), a horse was killed at Balblair, Bonar Bridge, at around 6am.

Horses had escaped onto the road and one was fatally injured after being hit by a car.

The driver of the car was uninjured.

Police issued an appeal to trace a driver who assisted the horses’ owner and may have witnessed the collision.

Related articles:

• Pony killed on road after fencing cut open
• Children create poster to help make roads safer for horses
• Paralympic gold medal winner supports road safety campaign

“As part of ongoing enquiries, police in Sutherland are looking to trace a driver in relation to a road traffic collision that happened on the A836 on 29 January,” said a police spokesman.

“A male driver of a delivery van/small lorry-type vehicle stopped to assist a horse owner after their animals had escaped onto the road. It is thought the man may have witnessed a subsequent collision between a car and one of the horses.

“Sadly, the horse was fatally injured. The driver of the car was uninjured.”

Police urge the driver and anyone with any information about the collision to call 101.

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A Shetland pony who escaped four times and was pursued by police on two occasions has been put down.

Police received reports from the public at 11.50am on 28 January that he was running free in Newdigate, Surrey.

A further call was received shortly afterwards informing officers that he was in Charlwood.

“Officers were sent to the scene to recover the pony but it was extremely distressed and could not be handled,” a spokesman from Surrey Police told H&H.

“The pony ran off and unfortunately fell into a nearby slurry pit.”

A vet was called and the pony was put down under his advice.

“This was done to prevent him from enduring a distressing death from inhaling the slurry,” added the police spokesman.

Previous escapes

This was not the first time the pony escaped, as previously reported on horseandhound.co.uk.

The pony first was spotted trotting along the roads in the Crawley area on 24 January (see video, top).

It took Sussex Police two attempts to capture the Shetland.

He was eventually secured using ropes in the garden of a property in Short Close at 2.46pm.

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According to the West Sussex County Times, a local resident volunteered to keep the pony until his owners were found.

The pony reportedly broke through fencing on 26 January and was found and captured at a farm the following afternoon.

He then broke through fencing for a second time on 28 January.

The pony’s owner has not come forward.

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A horse owner is calling for people to be more careful and not to leave gates open after her horse was killed on the road last month.

Sarah Duell was woken at 2.25am on 23 December by a phone call from her sister, telling her that her 15-year-old mare, Titch, had been killed.

The 16.2hh thoroughbred had strayed onto a main road and been hit by a car. She died instantly.

“I had seen her born at home almost 15 years ago, I had broken her in, seen her grow, watched her progress but then I saw her laid on the road 100m away from me motionless,” Sarah told H&H.

“The police had closed the road and a car was crashed into the hedge. I asked if the driver was alright fearing the worst. He was walking wounded but thankfully alive.”

She believes that poachers or lampers had gone through the gate in the early hours of the morning and left it open.

Four horses had escaped from the field through the open gate on to the A177, that runs into Stockton on Tees from Durham.

“Being on the outskirts of the town our land is a shortcut to the open countryside and is regularly used by lampers,” she added.

“We don’t usually have trouble with them, but on this occasion they had left a gate open with fatal consequences.”

The three other horses were unharmed.

Ms Duell is now urging others to respect people’s land and property to avoid this happening to anyone else.

She is the third horse owner to contact H&H in several months about the issue.

In November an equine clinic in Lewes, East Sussex, is urged walkers to take extra care after a horse was killed after it escaped through an open gate.

The cob was hit by a car on the A26. The driver was unhurt in the accident.

“I would like to issue a word of caution to anyone who uses footpaths through land containing livestock — if you open a gate, close it behind you,” said a spokesman for Cliffe Equine Clinic.

“This was a wholly avoidable tragedy and the owners are devastated.”

Earlier this year an H&H reader appealed for walkers to take more care when using footpaths in paddocks after her horse was injured on a gate.

Mary Emeny, from Scaynes Hill in West Sussex, was shocked to find her three-year-old filly with a huge wound in her side on 5 June.

The three-year-old home bred, called Midwych Skylla, escaped from her field after walkers left a gate unlatched.

Her side was caught on the gate latch, causing a serious wound, 40cm long and 20cm high.

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A horse stranded in a flooded field in Northumberland is thought to have died after rescue missions failed.

A team of RSPCA officers tried to rescue the coloured horse near Ovingham on Saturday (5 December) after they were called by a member of the public.

“Unfortunately the rescue had to be called off for safety reasons because the strength of the flood water was so strong,” said a RSPCA spokesman.

“The fire and rescue service had also tried unsuccessfully to rescue the horse, before they were called to respond to civilian emergencies.”

The spokesman added that the fire service had previously rescued a member of the public who was found clinging to a tree after he had tried to reach the horse before being swept away by the floodwater.

A RSPCA inspector returned to the field this morning (Monday 7 December) at first light, but the horse could not be seen.

Local press reported today that the horse had died.

The RSPCA spokesman said that their flood teams were “desperately saddened” by the news.

The charity urges owners of animals in flood-risk areas to move them to higher ground or other areas of safety and not to put their own or another person’s life in danger to attempt an animal rescue.

Between Friday (4 December) and Monday (7 December), the RSPCA received calls about 77 flooding incidents.

Stay safe

The RSPCA has issued the following advice for horse owners:

• Plan your escape route
• Ensure you can be contacted in an emergency: keep phone numbers of people who can help move your animals
• Ensure any extra gates you need for emergency access are fitted and attach your details to field gates
• Act early if there is a flood warning
• Livestock and horses will need to be moved to high ground early
• Make sure you have emergency feed and fresh water supplies
• If flooding strikes and you have not already moved your horses, then take them to high ground if the escape route is accessible
• Read the list in full here

Useful numbers and websites

Floodline 08459881188

RSPCA 0300 1234999

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood

www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

www.metoffice.gov.uk

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A 12-year-old international showjumper has been killed in an attack in Florida.

French-bred gelding Phedras De Blondel was found slaughtered at his owners’ farm in Palmetto at around 7am on Sunday (25 October).

He was found with his legs and part of his body removed.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Department believe the horse was killed for meat.

The horse was removed from his pen between 8.30pm on Saturday (24 October) and 6.45am on Sunday (25 October).

Phedras De Blondel, by Fetiche Du Pas and out of Belphegor IV, had been bought from France by US rider Debbie and Steve Stephens, an Olympic course-designer.

He had only arrived in the USA a few days earlier and had left quarantine at Miami airport on Thursday night.

Prior to the move the horse had been competed by French showjuper Christian Hermon. The pair last competed at the CSI2* in Auvers in August, finishing 14th.

“We don’t think they wanted this particular horse other than for its size,” Dave Bristow of the Sheriff’s Department told local press.

“We are hoping someone saw something unusual, an unusual car or truck in the area. The farm is not that far from the highway.

“We have never had a case like this that I can remember.

“It’s grisly. There has been a case in the Palm Beach County area involving a slaughterhouse, but nothing like that here.”

No suspects have been identified yet.

“The horse looks like he was butchered out for slaughter after he was killed,” Steve said. “This was a murder.

“We want to talk about this and get it in the light so our neighbours who have animals can be aware that this happened.”

The Stephens’ property is around 200 miles from Wellington and Palm Beach.

Earlier this month three illegal slaughterhouses in Loxahatchee, Florida, were raided by authorities.

Animal Recovery Mission had conducted an undercover operation about the illegal slaughter of horses at the farms in the Palm Beach and Wellington area.

Six people were arrested and 750 animals rescued.

There is no evidence to suggest this is linked to the attack.

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Police and vets are investigating after three horses were found dead in a field.

The horses from Blue Acre Horse Rescue on Ham Island, Old Windsor, were found on 23 August by the centre’s co-founder Bob Regan.

“When I arrived on Monday morning one was lying on the track dead and two others were lying dead nearby,” he told H&H.

“It was a bit of a shock.

“There is nothing wrong with the others.”

The rescue centre, which was founded in 2002, currently has 35 horses on site at its 40-acre farm.

Mr Regan added he called the vets – Chiltern Equine – who came and collected the bodies and took them for testing.

Mr Regan said that an initial autopsy proved inconclusive and samples have been sent off for further analysis.

“We can’t work out what it was – there weren’t any signs,” he added.

Two of the horses, Nelson (pictured, above) and Spirit – both aged between eight and 10 years old –belonged to his Mr Regan’s stepdaughter Rebecca, who he said is “heartbroken”.

The other, a pony called Freddie, belonged to the other co-founder of the rescue centre Caron North.

“He was a great little pony with kids,” she said.

“Three horses don’t just drop dead overnight.”

Thames Valley Police have said that poisoning is suspected.

“They had no obvious injuries and were fine the day before, but had blood around their eyes and rectums,” said a spokesman.

“They appear to have just dropped in a cluster, where they stood.

“Other horses in the field have eaten the same food and drunk from the same water containers, but appear unaffected.”

A police spokeswoman told H&H on Thursday (27 August) that the investigation is ongoing.

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A horse has died and another has been seriously injured after being struck by lightning in the early hours of this morning (Friday 17 July).

The 15.2hh bay gelding, named George, was found dead in his field in Stanhoe, Norfolk, by his owners at 7.30am.

His fieldmate Maxine, a 16.2hh dark bay mare owned by the same family, was seriously injured and unable to move.

It is thought the horses were struck by lightning at around 3am during the heavy storm.

“It’s just so devastating and could happen to anybody,” said Stacey Myles, who owns both horses with her 17-year-old daughter, Cariad.

“We went to the yard this morning and he was dead in the field. We could see one horse stood by the fence and she couldn’t move.

“There wasn’t a mark on George. We thought they might have been fighting and couldn’t understand it.

“The horse that was still alive had a massive nosebleed and couldn’t walk.”

Stacey’s vet confirmed the horses had been struck by lightning.

The family had owned George (Little Bud II) for three years and Cariad had successfully evented the 11-year-old, qualifying for the BE100 regional finals for the grassroots championships.

“They have done so well together,” said Mrs Myles. “He was her top horse.

“He was boss of all the horses and always wanted to be the first to go out and play.”

Five-year-old ex-racehorse Maxine was preparing to make her eventing debut with Cariad.

She has been put on box rest with an injured shoulder and has been given painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

There were eight other horses in the field who were not injured.

The British Horse Society (BHS) offered advice for horse owners concerned about the risk of lightning.

“Nature cannot be predicted but the more likely area for a lightning strike is higher ground and/or a single tree rather than a group of trees,” a spokesman for BHS told H&H.

“It would be wise to for horse-owners who have access to well-grounded stabling to keep an eye on the weather forecast and stable their horses when there is a threat of a lightning storm.”

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A pony has been killed in a yard fire that police are treating as arson.

The fire occurred at a stables in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Tuesday morning (14 July).

A neighbour of the yard in Winnington Road, Marple, called firefighters at 1.25am.

Crews worked for almost three hours to extinguish the fire.

A block of nine stables, a barn and equipment were destroyed, amounting to £80,000-worth of damage.

Reuben, the seven-year-old Welsh section A who died, was stabled overnight due to his restricted diet.

The other five horses kept at the yard were unharmed — four had been turned out overnight and another was being kept at the vets due to an injury.

“Our neighbours were woken by flashes, cracks and bangs — they thought it was a thunderstorm, but then they saw great big orange flames,” said yard owner Kerry Pardon.

“We’ve lost everything. We came here two years ago and we built the yard from the ground up — all our work has been shattered.

“The worst part of it is losing Reubin. He belongs to a six-year-old girl who lost her previous pony six months ago due to a shoulder injury.

“Reubin was a beautiful pony with a personality to match.”

Three crews from Marple, Offerton and Stockport fire stations attended the scene.

“They used hose reels to bring the fire under control and were on the scene for almost three hours, but due to the severity of the blaze the stables and outbuildings were completely destroyed,” said a spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police told H&H that the fire was being treated as arson.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

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Once again the Calgary Stampede has come under fire from animal welfare campaigners after two horses died at this year’s event.

The two horses were put down after separate incidents in the chuckwagon competition at the event in Canada.

The first horse died on Saturday (4 July) after breaking a leg during the chuckwagon races, in which horses pull wagons round a figure of eight dirt track.

The 10-year-old thoroughbred fractured a cannon bone after making contact with another wagon.

“This is considered a serious injury; and unfortunately our veterinarian needed to euthanise the horse immediately,” Kurt Kadatz, spokesman for Calgary Stampede, told Canadian press.

The Stampede’s Chuckwagon Safety Commission stated that the second horse was injured in a collision between two wagons on Monday (6 July).

The horse was put down on Tuesday morning.

More than 60 horses have died in chuckwagon races at the event since 1986, according to an animals rights group.

A statement from the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) read: “Horses keep dying in this event and the Stampede is running out of excuses. It should be suspended immediately.”

The VHS is calling on the Stampede to establish an independent panel of equine experts to determine if anything can be done to make the race safer.

In the second incident the Safety Commission said that both the driver of the horse that died as well as the other driver were at fault.

If a horse dies the person at fault must pay the owner $10,000. But as they were jointly responsible the owner will only receive $5,000.

It was the first time a ruling of dual culpability since the Chuckwagon Safety Commission was set up in 2008.

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Vets believe that the injuries sustained by Kauto Star in a field accident last week were exacerbated several days after his initial fall.

The record-breaking National Hunt star was put down on Monday (29 June).

The 15-year-old gelding broke his neck and pelvis and was put down when he developed further complications of pneumonia and laminitis.

Kauto suffered the injury at home at event rider Laura Collet’s yard in Lambourn last Wednesday (24 June).

However, after treatment by the yard vet he was taken to Valley Equine Hospital late on Saturday night (27 June) when the injuries were “failing to respond satisfactorily to treatment”.

His injuries included a complex fracture to the pelvis and a fracture at the base of the neck.

It is still unclear exactly what caused the injury. Connections believe he might have tried to jump something.

However, in the past few days there has been some debate from the public on the time frame and speculation on what might have happened, prompting a further comment from the vets to the Racing Post yesterday.

Yard vet Tom Campbell told the Racing Post that they believe the horse tried to jump out of the paddock, but fell and landed on his left side.

“We were worried he had a pelvis fracture,” he told the paper. “However, with injuries like that you are reluctant to move a horse to hospital as the more you move him the more you can make him unstable, so he was placed on box rest and cross-tied.”

However, they believe the horse then went down in the cross tie twice on Saturday.

Hattie Lawrence, treating vet at Valley Equine Hospital, said she believed there was a “material change in his condition” on Saturday. She said he had becoming “increasingly wobbly” over Sunday and Monday, to the point he couldn’t stand.

She told H&H today (Thursday 2 July): “The additional information was put out there as a clarification regarding timescales.

“He got down [on the cross tie] on Saturday before I’d seen him and almost certainly as a result of this his injuries from Wednesday were exacerbated at this point.

“The injuries in his neck were there but not yet apparent until then.

“The complications [laminitis and pneumonia] arose from him having to stand in the same position for a prolonged period of time, the only way to keep him safe.

“He was being treated with anti inflammatories and antibiotics and managed in a way to keep him and calm and quiet.

“It is unusual to have neck and pelvic injuries simultaneously but in any horse racing or falling this could occur.”

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An historic Italian race has caused further controversy after a horse died during a trial.

Siena’s Palio takes place twice a year and sees horses race through the streets of the Tuscan town.

However, the race frequently receives criticism from animal welfare activists as many horses have been trampled or killed during the race in the past.

The Palio draws tens of thousands of spectators and the main event is set to take place today (Thursday, 2 July).

However, during a trial race on Monday (29 June), a mare called Periclea (not pictured) sustained fatal injuries and was later put down.

The Telegraph reported that Periclea, a seven-year-old mare competing in her first Palio, stumbled on the hind legs of the horse in front and fell awkwardly.

Now an animal rights group is calling for today’s race (not pictured) to be cancelled and all further races to be suspended.

Politician and activist Michela Vittoria Brambilla posted the call for the ban on the Italian Federation of Animal Rights and Environment’s website following Periclea’s death.

Ms Brambilla, who is president of the organistation, described the race as “senseless and cruel”.

She said it tarnishes the image of their country abroad and horrifies millions.

She added: “Today the mare Periclea has paid the ultimate tribute to a tradition that no longer has any reason to exist, except for the interest and selfishness of a few.”

The mare is reportedly the 50th horse to die in the event since 1970 and this is not the first time that Ms Brambilla and others have called for it to be stopped.

The first officially documented modern Palio took place in 1656.

A total of 17 jockeys, representing the 17 districts of the city, ride bareback in the race that lasts about 90 seconds.

The winning jockey is carried off on the shoulders of the crowd and the banner – which is the actual Palio – is handed down to them.

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A horse has been killed during a storm that hit an equine rescue centre in America.

The Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue in Hardy, Virginia, was subject to strong winds on Friday evening (19 June), which pulled down trees and fences as well as roofing from a barn.

One of the centre’s horses, Daisy, died after being “sliced open” by tin falling from the roof.

“We are heartbroken over the loss of Daisy,” Patricia Muncy, president of Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue, told H&H.

“She spent seven years of her life here with us. She was a yearling when we took her in from a large seizure case. She was one of 25 horses rescued.”

Three other horses suffered minor injuries in the storm, and the centre’s owners told H&H they are recovering well following treatment.

The 10 horses that had been housed in the damaged barn have been left without shelter and the fields were littered with debris, including posts, roofing, logs and fallen branches.

“The damage is nothing compared to losing Daisy,” Ms Muncy added.

A clean-up was held with local volunteers the day after the storm and the rescue centre is now raising funds to make repairs.

Closer to home

In February last year horseandhound.co.uk reported that a group of five fillies worth an estimated €1m (£830,000) had died in Ireland after being electrocuted during Storm Darwin.

The yearlings were in a paddock at Kilfrush Stud, Knocklong, Co Limerick, when an electricity cable snapped and travelled through the ground, killing the horses instantly.

The alarm was raised by a member of staff, who went to check on the horses during the storm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Four-star New Zealand event horse Orient Express has died after sustaining an injury during a competition at the weekend (Saturday 16 May).

The 16-year-old gelding — owned by the Johnstone family — was injured during the cross-country in the CCI3* class during New Zealand’s National Three-Day-Event at Taupo.

He was ridden by Clarke Johnstone, who was not injured during the incident. No further details of the injury have been released.

Orient Express, also known as “Blue” was a popular Kiwi thoroughbred who had partnered Clarke to many international successes.

The pair competed at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010 as part of the bronze medal-winning New Zealand team.

They also won the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing Series with wins at both the New Zealand and Australian rounds of the series.

In 2011 the horse was the highest placed member of the gold medal winning NZ team at the Asia Pacific Olympic Qualifier at Blenheim.

Bev Shandley, president of the ground jury at the Taupo event, said: “We are saddened by the loss of this fine equine athlete, and we offer our sympathies to the Johnstone family.”

The horse had been retired in 2013 but was making a comeback, having taken part in his first competition in two and half years in November.

Clarke was based in the UK for two years before retuning to New Zealand due to injury. He is now based in Hamilton.

Blue was bought by Clarke’s parents as a six-year-old, six months after retiring from the racetrack.

“He has three super paces, is a lovely big scopey jumper and has a huge gallop so has the ingredients required to make a great event horse,” reads Orient Express’ profile on Clarke’s website.

“In addition to this Blue is the most generous horse with a lovely trainable mind.”

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A newborn foal has been dumped dead on the roadside in The Fens with its umbilical cord still attached.

The chestnut foal, who was less than a day old, was found on Fendyke Road, Emneth, Norfolk last month (28 April) by two local riders.

It is believed the foal was dumped sometime between 9.30 and 10.30am.

Members of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council made arrangements for the foal’s body to be collected.

It is not known who owned the foal or where it came from.

“When the council’s streetscenes operations manager arrived, two ladies from the local stables were present,” Sharon Clifton of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council told H&H.

“One was holding the foal’s head and was very upset. Neither of the ladies knew where the foal had come from but they said it was a newborn, less than a day old, as it still had some of the umbilical cord attached.

“As it wasn’t on private property, we made arrangements for a pet cremation service to collect it.”

The RSPCA also received a report of the dumped foal, but referred the caller to the council.

“We did receive a report, but as there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances our control centre referred the caller to the local authority,” said an RSPCA spokesman.

“Because we have limited resources we have to prioritise those animals that are suffering and are in need of our help.

“Sadly, these sort of incidents are common and reflect the problems local authorities, charities and other organisations have to deal with when irresponsible owners don’t meet their horses’ needs.”

Ms Clifton echoed the RSPCA comments.

“The irresponsible behaviour of others often means it is left to charities and local authorities to do the right thing and to pick up the bill,” she added.

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A pregnant mare, thought to have died giving birth, has been found dumped in Kent.

The dead horse was found on Sunday 3 May by passers by on Barnfield Road, Hunger Hatch, near Ashford.

She had a rope tied around her back legs and the head of her foal was visible, as if about to be born.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information about the mare.

“This was one of the most upsetting things I have ever seen,” said RSPCA inspector Rosie Russon.

“The horse clearly died in the middle of giving birth, before being dragged by her feet so she could be dumped in the country lane.

“She clearly needed veterinary attention and help giving birth and she — and her foal — must have suffered a horrible and painful death. It is so sad.”

Over the past three years the RSPCA has received 69,410 calls about horses in England — 19,897 in the south east region.

Kent had the second highest number of calls in the country in 2014, after West Yorkshire, with 1,242 calls.

Inspector Russon added: “Unfortunately we are seeing more and more heartbreaking incidents involving horses like this.

“England and Wales are in the grip of a horse crisis —and a high proportion of these cases are happening here, in Kent.

“We and other welfare charities are struggling to cope with the number of neglected and abused horses and ponies we are seeing, and sadly there are thousands more which are feared to be at risk.”

Anyone with any information on the dead mare, or who she could belong to is urged to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

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A film telling the story of an abandoned mare and two foals has been produced by World Horse Welfare to highlight the plight of dumped horses.

The mare, Rhoswyn, was found in an emaciated state nursing her own foal, Orlagh, and an orphaned foal, Zoe, on a Welsh hillside in February.

“Under veterinary advice we were able to move Rhoswyn and two youngsters but some of the group were just too weak and in such poor condition that the kindest thing to do was put them to sleep,” said the charity’s field officer Tony Evans.

“It is scandalous that the owner of these horses abandoned them giving them little change of survival, with absolutely no regard for their welfare or the law, and was able to get away with it unpunished since there was no way of tracing them.”

The two foals are making good progress at the charity’s Somerset rescue and rehoming centre, but Rhoswyn had to be put down.

Claire Phillips, manager of the Glenda Spooner farm rescue and rehoming centre, said the foals are building up their strength.

“Orlagh, who we believe to be just six months old, has made friends with another filly, 10-month-old Crystal, who is playing the perfect big sister role,” she said.

“They play beautifully in the paddock and come in for mid-morning “baby nap,” snuggling down together in one of our crew yards.”

The film has been made to highlight the need to educate more owners about their responsibilities and provide more effective laws to help protect horses.

“This seemed a very sad but appropriate opportunity to show people the terrible impact that this kind of irresponsible ownership has on horses, as well as the reality faced by our staff who work so hard to help these animals in desperate need,” said Roly Owers, chief executive of the charity.

“This video is very upsetting but it is the stark reality of the current UK horse crisis,” added Roly.

“Yes, we do get very emotional, even angry, at times. But we use this feeling to drive us to do more, to help more horses, to educate more owners about their responsibilities and to provide more effective laws to help better protect our horses. Our supporters are critical to achieving this impact and we hope this short film will encourage others to join us. Together we really can make a huge difference.”

In May tougher new laws are due to come into force to address fly-grazing in England and Wales but Mr Owers said they “will be worthless unless they are used by landowners.”

He said there are still too many landowners who will not take action when horses are left on their land.

But the ultimate responsibility is with the owners. World Horse Welfare wants “a robust system of equine identification so that owners who abandon their animals to fend for themselves can be held accountable.”

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Two men have been given “indefinite” bans from keeping horses after causing unnecessary suffering to a pony.

David Alan Jones and Richard John Jones both of Gloucester Road, Upper Swainswick, were disqualified from keeping horses on Friday 1 May.

The pair appeared at Bath Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony called Charlie, and one offence of failing to meet the pony’s welfare needs. The pony was later put to sleep.

The RSPCA was contacted about Charlie in November 2014. He was one of several animals that had been allowed to escape onto the nearby main road.

He was suffering from wounds on his hind legs that had not been treated and had long, overgrown hooves. His condition was so serious that he was put to sleep.

“This poor pony was in a terrible state and hadn’t been looked after,” said RSPCA inspector Becky Jeffery.

“He had deep wounds on both hind legs that were badly infected, his mane was extremely matted and his back hooves were severely overgrown.

“There is no excuse for leaving an animal in this state without even the most basic care.”

Both men admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Charlie between May and November 2014 by unreasonably failing to provide hoof care; and by unreasonably failing to provide veterinary care and attention for his wounds.

They also pleaded guilty to failing to meet the pony’s needs to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease by not adequately treating and investigating the causes of his poor weight between July and November 2014.

Neither can apply to have the ban lifted for five years.

They were also both handed 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

David Jones was ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work and to pay £936.48 in costs. Richard Jones was given a 12-month supervision order, a 12-week nighttime curfew and was ordered to pay £1,182.42 in costs.

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Welfare organisations told H&H they were “pleased and relieved” that for the third consecutive year there were no fatalities in the Grand National.

A sell-out crowd of 72,000 gathered at Aintree on Saturday (11 April) to see eight-year-old Many Clouds provide jockey Leighton Aspell with his second consecutive Grand National win.

The appearance of Many Clouds — who won this year’s Hennessy and was sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup — alongside 2014 Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere and Irish National winner Shutthefrontdoor, confirmed the quality of the field that lined up for this year’s race.

“To have Many Clouds win the race is testament to what we’ve been trying to achieve,” said the Jockey Club’s John Baker. “He’s a high quality winner and one of the best performances we’ve seen in a long time to carry that weight [11st 9lb] to victory.”

RSPCA equine consultant David Muir said the “clean” race was a “huge relief”.

“I strongly believe that the changes to the course in 2012, which were made with the RSPCA’s input, have saved the lives of horses that may othe rwise have fallen and been seriously injured,” he said.

World Horse Welfare’s Roly Owers added: “We believe that safety improvements in recent years, most especially the flexible fence cores, are making a significant difference.”

Mr Muir added that “as always” both charities will be “examining the footage”.

“If we see anything that causes us concern or that could be improved upon we will report our findings,” he said. “We will not be resting on our laurels. We will continue to look for ways to improve horse welfare throughout the entire meeting, as well as racing as a whole.”

Roly added: “Given the increased risk of serious injury to horse and jockey through horse falls and loose horses during the race, we remain concerned by the proportion of fallers over the National fences compared to other steeplechases.

“We believe this issue still merits further consideration, and will discuss with Aintree over the coming weeks.”

Balthazar King fell heavily at the Canal Turn, but after treatment on course was taken to the University of Liverpool’s equine hospital Leahurst to be treated for broken ribs.

Trainer Philip Hobbs reported that the 11-year-old gelding was “bright in himself” and “making steady progress”.

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Police are appealing for information about a pony who died following an attack with a brick.

The Shetland was hit with a breeze block overnight last week, sometime between 11pm on Tuesday 31 March and 9am on Wednesday 1 April.

The pony, called Taffee, was owned by Danielle Flisher and was the pet of her 17-month old daughter Charlene.

Ms Flisher found the pony on Wednesday morning when she went to Taffee’s paddock in Boxley near Gillingham, Kent.

Taffee had severe head injuries. Reports suggest the pony’s skull was caved in one side and her left eye had come out of its socket. The animal also had a broken leg.

She was still alive when the vet arrived, but was put down due to the extent of her injuries.

Ms Flisher told local press: “I don’t understand how anybody could be so sick. Taffee was a tiny pony. The vet said she was hit over and over again and it looks like it was by more than one person.

“I can’t believe there are people out there who would do this to a tiny, defenceless pony.”

The five-year-old Shetland had a 10-month-old foal called Biscuit, who was unharmed in the attack but according to Ms Flisher is “lost” without the mare.

Kent Police confirmed to H&H that they were investigating the incident.

“Police were called to a report of a horse that had been found dead in a field in Boxley,” said a spokesman. “The incident has been recorded as criminal damage and anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police, quoting crime reference YY/6371/15.”

A £1,000 reward has been offered by the family for anyone who can identify those involved in the attack.

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 101.

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A seven-year-old mare has died after being found with a slash to her belly — thought to be a stab wound — in South Yorkshire.

The RSPCA now is appealing for information after a Tilly, a 14.2hh Connemara, was found seriously injured in her field in Hoyland, Barnsley on Sunday (29 March). The wound was so deep she had to be put to sleep.

Michelle Steeples, who had been looking after Tilly, received a call and arrived at the yard at around 7am.

Police and RSPCA officers were already there, having been called by a member of the public.

“We rushed to the yard and found her collapsed on the floor,” Michelle told H&H. “The cut had caused her intestines to come out — it was horrendous, like something from a horror movie.

“The vet had to put down Tilly down. They looked at the wound and said it was a stab puncture wound and nothing that she could have done to herself.

“She was a lovely little mare with lots of potential — we are desperate to know what happened.”

Michelle and her friend Katie Haig had been bringing on Tilly for her owner, Sharon Sephton, since November.

“I am absolutely devastated and I will not stop until we have found the vile creature that has done this,” added Sharon.

“I hope to try and get some justification for Tilly in the way of protection of other horses.”

There is now a £1,000 reward, offered by one of Michelle’s friends to find the culprit.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed to H&H they are investigating the incident.

“The poor horse, a very sweet small grey mare, was suffering greatly and was put to sleep on humane grounds,” said RSPCA inspector John Lawson.

“From local enquiries it seems that whatever happened to her happened between 2.30am and the dog walker finding her at 6.40am.

“We can’t say for sure whether she was deliberately attacked or whether this was a terrible accident, but would like anyone with any specific information to contact me on the RSPCA’s inspector appeal line 0300 123 8018.”

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Three ponies were mauled to death by dogs in their field in the West Midlands last week (Saturday 21 February).

Police were called to Parkfield Road, Dudley, just before 5pm after reports that two dogs had attacked the ponies while the were grazing.

When officers arrived, one of the ponies had already died from its injuries.

A vet was immediately called to put down the other two ponies who were seriously injured in the attack.

West Midlands Police has confirmed to H&H that two dogs were seized by authorities later that night at an address in Parkfield Road.

“The dogs are currently being held in kennels while their breed is determined and an investigation carried out,” a police spokesman added.

Dog attacks

H&H has been contacted by many readers in the past who have had their horses attacked by dogs.

Under changes to the law, which came into place in May last year, dog owners can now be prosecuted if their dog causes injury to a rider on public and private land, including livery yards.

It was already an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act for any dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

Riders and industry figures would still like further changes in the law to tackle the growing problem of dogs chasing or attacking horses.

Currently prosecutions can only be brought if the dog harms the rider or puts them in fear of being injured.

“We would still like to see attacks against other animals be criminalised,” said Lee Hackett from the BHS. “At present it is very difficult to take action if a dog attacks a horse. We do need more people to report incidents and even near misses. Without data we will never achieve changes in legislation.”

In 2013 H&H reported that the number of dog attacks on horses had almost doubled in the past year, according to the British Horse Society.

The organisation urges all horse owners who have suffered an attack to report it at: www.horseaccidents.org.uk

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A 30-year-old Fell pony has been put down after becoming trapped in a fence on Saturday (21 February).

The 14.2hh mare, Ruby, slipped down the bank of a lake in her field and became caught in brambles surrounding the post and rail fence.

Ruby’s owner, Liz Jeffrey, discovered her that morning when she arrived to feed the horses, which are kept in a field by her home in Devon.

“Somehow she had managed to get her legs through the rails and was down on her side. I struggled to imagine how she had got into that position,” she said.

Firefighters from Totnes and a specialist rescue team from Devon and Somerset Fire Service arrived at 10.20am.

They put straps round Ruby’s legs and gently pulled her away from the fence onto the top of the bank.

“We sat with her for half an hour, but she couldn’t get up,” a tearful Mrs Jeffrey told H&H.

“The vet said she shouldn’t go through anymore, so we decided to put her down.”

“She’s been looking so well, it’s such a shock, but it was the right decision for Ruby. We will miss her terribly.”

The retired mare, pictured before the accident, had been with Mrs Jeffrey’s family for 15 years and lived with a youngster, an Irish draught and a Shetland pony. Ruby had been ridden Mrs Jeffrey’s son, Lewis, when he was younger.

Mrs Jeffrey paid tribute to the firefighters that tried to rescue Ruby: “They came straight away and were brilliant.”

Matt Johnson, the officer in charge from the Devon and Somerset Fire Service, said: “We often rescue old horses from ditches and hedges successfully, only to find they die on subsequent nights. Unfortunately Ruby was one of these cases.”

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A mother and daughter were given suspended prison sentences earlier this month (2 February) after two ponies in their care had to put down because they were suffering from chronic laminitis.

Teresa O’Rourke, her 22-year-old daughter Sarah and their friend Christopher Kenneally appeared at Peterborough Magistrates Court for sentencing under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.

Mr Kenneally had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing, while the O’Rourkes changed their plea to guilty on the first day of the trial.

The ponies first came to the attention of World Horse Welfare in April 2014 after a concerned call from a member of the public.

“I could see immediately that five of the six ponies were showing signs of laminitis but unfortunately Mrs O’Rourke would not allow us to enter the property to inspect them more closely,” said World Horse Welfare field officer Jacko Jackson.

World Horse Welfare returned the following day with the police, RSPCA and a vet and all six ponies were removed on welfare grounds.

“Sadly two of the ponies, Chester and Tara, had such chronic laminitis that they were put to sleep ­— it would have been impossible for them to make a pain-free recovery,” said Mr Jackson.

“The grazing was very lush and there was no indication that it was being restricted or that the ponies were being treated. They were all very obviously in pain and some were unable to move at all.”

Mrs O’Rourke, who was found guilty of a similar offence in 2004, was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, a six month supervision order with probation. She was also banned for 10 years from keeping equines, given a deprivation order and ordered to pay £500 costs.

Her daughter had a suspended sentence she was already serving for an unrelated conviction extended by six months, was given 200 hours of unpaid community service which must be served within 12 months and ordered to pay £500 costs. She also received a two-year disqualification from keeping equines as well as a deprivation order.

Mr Kenneally was given 120 hours of unpaid community service, which must be served within 12 months, and ordered to pay £300 costs. He was also given a two-year ban from keeping any animal and a deprivation order.

The deprivation orders mean that ownership of all of the ponies involved in the case was legally given to World Horse Welfare. The four remaining ponies are all making good progress at Hall Farm rescue and rehoming centre.

Mr Jackson added: “Watching and listening to Mrs O’Rourke there was absolutely no remorse, which is something the judge commented on and is the most disappointing outcome.”

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Legal action is being taken against Arena Racing Company (ARC) after holes in the ground caused the death of a horse at Newcastle racecourse, writes Sophia Heath.

Six-year-old Hitman Harry (pictured) had to be put down after he severed his superficial flexor tendon during the Maiden Open National Hunt Flat race on 14 November 2014.

It emerged that the racecourse had failed to fill in the holes and repair the ground properly following the removal of the third-last hurdle. It is thought one of the gelding’s hind legs fell down a hole, which caused him to fall.

The accident led to ARC — which operates Newcastle racecourse — being fined £4,500 by the British Horseracing Authority on 18 December 2014, after it was found that the “unrepaired ground endangered horses and riders”.

ARC has admitted liability for the accident, and the horse’s owner and breeder Pauline Cowey is trying to claim £58,000 in compensation. However, three months later the case has not been settled, and she has enlisted the help of equine law specialists Shaw and Co, Newcastle.

“I had hoped that the matter could have been settled amicably to prevent further distress, and I have had to resort to solicitors’ action because of the complacency of the insurers,” she said.

“I got a letter from ARC saying it was sorry, and that it would do all it could to settle the matter swiftly.

“I sent its insurers a letter,” she added, “saying what I valued the horse at, and found out the company had had it for 10 working days without even reading it. I can’t help feeling I’m being messed about.”

Shaw and Co’s Mary Ann Charles said there seems to be “no explanation” for the lack of action from ARC.

“This has been allowed to drag on, and it is distressing. Racing is unlike almost any other business in that there is an emotional investment by owners and breeders with their horses.”

ARC’s director of external affairs Susannah Gill confirmed to H&H that the firm has accepted liability, but said that Mrs Cowey is yet to “submit full evidence in respect of her claim”.

“Our insurers are currently making enquires into quantification with their specialist equine consultants and remain in contact with her solicitors,” she added.

Ref: H&H Thursday 19 February, 2015

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Five horses have died after being hit by two trains in Co. Durham.

The animals had strayed onto the tracks near Dinsdale yesterday (Tuesday 10 February), when they were struck and killed by the trains.

One train was travelling from Darlington, the other from Saltburn.

“The incident happened around 7am,” a spokesman from Northern Rail, which operates the trains, told H&H.

“We are unsure how the horses got on to the tracks. No passengers or staff were injured though some disruption was caused to train services.”

It is as yet unclear who owned the horses, or how they came to be on the tracks.

A British Transport Police spokesman added: “We were called to the railway line near Teesside Airport station after reports a number of horses had been struck by two trains.

“Colleagues from Durham Police and the Environment Agency were also been in attendance.

“Five horses were killed and two other horses are now in the care of the RSPCA. It is not clear how the horses came to be on the line.”

This is the second incident involving a group of horses on railway lines in the past three months.

In November a group of 12 horses were killed after colliding with two trains in Cambridgeshire.

The horses were struck after wandering on to the Fen Road level crossing in Milton. Again, it was not discovered who owned the horses.

More than 200 passengers were travelling on the trains involved. One lady was taken to hospital with minor injuries but was later discharged. Some passengers reported a loud “bang” but no one was seriously hurt.

Although some incidents in the past months have involved animals that have been dumped and fly-grazed, in December H&H put out a warning to horse owners to secure fencing after a spate of horses escaping onto roads.

With hedges bare of leaves in the winter, many are finding it easier to get out of their fields.

Horse owners are also reminded that under the Animals Act 1971 they are liable for their animals’ actions should they cause an accident.

“We would always advise owners to ensure that their horse is kept in a field with secure fencing and if a horse is tethered, to ensure that he is tethered safely according to the Code of Practice on Tethering,” said a spokesman for World Horse Welfare.

Anyone with any information should call the police on 101.

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A two-year-old Exmoor pony that was rescued from a quagmire in woodland has had to be put down.

Around 15 firefighters were called out to woodland in Sutton Park, in Sutton Coldfield, at 6.41pm on last Wednesday (14 January).

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service Technical Rescue Unit said the pony was distressed and suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion.

Local press reports said the pony may have fallen into a hole and was sinking in land softened by melting snow and pouring rain.

The animal was sedated by a vet and heavy blocks placed around to stop it sinking further. A plastic sheet was slid underneath to enable it to be dragged out of the mud.

The rescue operation took two hours.

Park rangers then took the pony to a secure unit at Sutton Park for treatment and on the advice of vets it was put down.

“We’re looking into how it happened,” said a spokesman.

Exmoor ponies were introduced to Sutton Park in 1999 as a conservation grazing project.

There are now about 32 grazing ponies on 400 acres to the north of the railway line, which runs through the park.

Sutton Park was designated a National Nature Reserve by English Nature in 1997 and is also a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Run by Birmingham City Council it is the seventh largest urban park in Europe and the second largest outside a capital city.

The park is a mix of heathland, wetlands and marshes, has seven lakes and extensive ancient woodlands.

The Donkey Sanctuary has an assisted therapy centre at Sutton Park with 21 donkeys on the site. Over 200 local children with special needs visit every week and the centre is open to the public.

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A horse was killed after colliding with a police car in Kent last week (6 January). The horse was reported to be running loose on the road after its rider had fallen off.

A spokesman from Kent police confirmed to H&H that two horses had been involved in the accident in Four Elms, Sevenoaks, at 1.25pm last Tuesday.

“There was a collision involving a police car and a stray horse, running on the road without a rider,” the spokesman said. “Sadly the horse died.

“The owner of the injured horse arrived shortly after the collision. It appears he had been thrown by it earlier.”

Related stories

Escaped horse killed in road accident

This latest incident follows a spate of fatalities involving loose horses

Riders and motorists urged to take care on roads after rise in accidents [H&H VIP]

As figures for road accidents soar and H&H learns of two more compensation cases, riders are being urged to take

The accident was one of two involving Kent police on the same afternoon.

At 1.10pm another police car collided with a taxi in the same area.

After the accident a spokesman for Kent Police said: “The B2042 is currently closed in Four Elms while officers investigate a collision, which occurred at 1:10pm.

“A police vehicle and a Toyota Avensis collided while the police vehicle was responding to an emergency call.

“No serious injuries have been reported.”

Arnold Kingston who lives on Ide Hill Road told local press that two of his cars were damaged after the taxi ended up in his driveway.

He said: “My wife was in our hall and just heard a loud bang when the taxi ended up here.

“The cross roads have been a very dangerous area for many years and there have been a huge number of accidents here including a fatality in 2013 when a motorcyclist was killed.

“For all of Tuesday the police car, which was written off, was right across our drive way and the taxi was in our drive. It was quite a big thing.

There was speculation from local residents that two accidents were connected. However, Kent police told H&H that the two incidents are “entirely separate and unrelated”.

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A dumped horse has been put down after it was found so emaciated and ill that it was unable to recover.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information to find the owners of the horse, who was collapsed in an Essex park.

She was so thin and weak she was lying in the road unable to stand.

The piebald mare was found at Wick Country Park in Wickford, Essex at around 8.30pm on Sunday 7 December.

The RSPCA was called by a member of the public, and when inspectors arrived they found the horse in an extremely weak state, lying in the road, unable to stand up or move.

She was examined by a vet, who also found that she had an intestinal problem, and recommended she was put to sleep to prevent any further suffering.

“I am used to coming across so many terrible equine cases in my job, but this really was one of the worst I had ever seen,” said RSPCA inspector Emily Cheeseman.

“This poor mare was all bones, she was so emaciated it was hard to give her any kind of body score. It was bitterly cold that night too, she must have been so uncomfortable.

“She collapsed when the member of the public who called us was with her, and then just could not get up again. The vet who attended said her heart was rocketing, a sign that she was in extreme pain.

“I felt just so sad seeing her there. It is simply unacceptable to leave an animal to suffer in that extreme way.

Anyone with any information about how this horse came to be in such a state is urged to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

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One horse has been killed and another had to be rescued by police after escaping onto a main road in Shropshire yesterday (11 December).

The dead horse was found on the A41 in Tong and while the other was nearby heading towards a motorway.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: “We received several calls from members of the public saying a dead horse was in the road and that another was heading in the direction of the M54.

“The horse on the loose was caught at around 7am and the dead horse was recovered around 8.20am.”

The police also confirmed to H&H that an owner had been contacted and had identified the dead horse.

This latest incident follows a spate of fatalities involving loose horses. As a result owners are being urged to check their fencing to ensure there are no escape routes for animals. With hedges bare of leaves at this time of year, many are finding it easier to get out of their fields.

Horse owners are also reminded that under the Animals Act 1971 they are liable for their animals’ actions should they cause an accident.

“We would always advise owners to ensure that their horse is kept in a field with secure fencing and if a horse is tethered, to ensure that he is tethered safely according to the Code of Practice on Tethering,” said a spokesman for World Horse Welfare.

“Always make sure that you make regular checks on your horse to ensure that he is kept in a safe and secure environment, thus reducing the chance of any harm coming to your animal or others.”

Continued below…

Related news from H&H

The RSPCA has also reiterated these guidelines.

“We would like to remind members of the public to make sure that fencing used to keep their animals in is secure to ensure the safety of not only their animals but also that of the general public,” said a spokesman.

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Showjumper Athina Onassis has lost her top mare Ad Camille Z (pictured earlier this year), after the pair suffered a serious fall in Switzerland last night (Thursday 11 December).

Athina and Ad Camille Z were competing at the CHI Geneva horse show in the Credit Suisse Grand Prix when they fell at the eighth jump — an oxer.

The 29-year-old rider was unhurt by the fall, but the horse suffered a fatal injury, breaking her leg.

Ad Camille Z, an 11-year-old grey mare, was hoisted out of the arena by a crane and taken to veterinary hospital. It reportedly took 45 minutes to remove the horse from the arena. When she arrived at hospital her injuries were too severe and the horse was put down.

The class was delayed by an hour but continued, with American rider Lauren Hough and bay mare Ohlala taking top honours.

Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum was second with Chaman, with Pieter Devo and Dream of India Greenfield third and Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V fourth.

Athina and Ad Camille Z had been out competing frequently this year, most recently at the Gucci Paris Masters. They also took part in the Global Champions Tour, in which Athina finished 13th in the 2014 rankings accruing €60,135 in prize money.

Heiress Athina, who is the only granddaughter of shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, is married Brazilian showjumper Alvaro de Miranda Neto, more commonly known as Doda. The pair live in Brazil and the Rio De Janeiro leg of the Global Champions tour is named after her — the Athina Onassis International Horse Show.

In 2012 Athina suffered a serious injury herself in a fall, fracturing two vertebrae in her neck. She made a full recovery.

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A horse has died in a stable fire (not pictured) in the Llwynhendy area of Llanelli, near Swansea in Wales.

The fire was “well alight” said police when it was reported at 9.05pm last Friday evening (5 December).

Firefighters were already at the scene when the police arrived. They found the horse dead in a stable.

The other horse in the yard escaped, said Dyfred-Powys police.

“The building sustained extensive fire damage,” said a spokesman for the police.

The police and fire service are investigating the cause of the fire and are asking for help.

“We are appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or anyone with any information relating to this to contact PC Guy 39 in Llwynhendy by calling 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111,” said a spokesman.

The stable fire is the first H&H has reported on in the UK for a couple of months, but in November in the US a devastating fire killed 32 horses in a yard near Chicago.

Fire departments from 27 surrounding areas helped put out the blaze. One firefighter suffered minor injuries while helping put out the fire and was treated at a local hospital but no-one else was hurt.

The five horses that escaped the fire were found in a nearby field unharmed.

In the same week 17 horses died in a fire at Smithfield Stables near Edwardsburg in Michigan.

Around 75 firefighters attended the blaze. As the stables were in such a remote location firefighers had to travel more than a mile to access water to bring back to the barn.

The entire barn was demolished and all the horses inside died.

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A spate of fatalities involving loose horses has been a stark reminder to horse owners to ensure their fields are securely fenced.

Last week H&H readers were horrified after two separate accidents — one involving a family pet, the other 12 horses whose owner has not yet been identified — were reported on the H&H website.

Details emerged last week that a horse had been killed in a road accident in West Yorkshire after escaping from its field on 5 November.

The animal had found its way onto a rural lane in the dark, at around 7pm, and was hit by two vehicles. The horse was struck with so much force that it was decapitated.

“One car was travelling towards the horse and hit it first, then the animal was struck by a second vehicle travelling in the opposite direction,” said a police spokesman.

The horse belonged to a family. H&H contacted the owner but had no response.

In the other incident, the 12 horses died when hit by two trains at Fen Road level crossing in Milton on 19 November.

The problem is a nationwide issue.

On 3 November three donkeys were killed in a crash in the New Forest, in what has been described by the Verderers as “the worst road accident in the area for 20 years”.

One animal was killed on impact; the other two were put down after sustaining serious injuries.

And last month a mare and foal were hit by a car after escaping from a field in Lancashire. The mare broke a leg but the foal survived.

Also in October four horses were killed after being hit by a lorry in Staffordshire.

But it’s not just horses that have been killed. A driver died after his car collided with a horse in South Yorkshire in September. Police had no details of where the horse had come from or why it was on the road.

Check your boundaries

Owners are urged to check their fencing to ensure there are no escape routes for animals. With hedges bare of leaves at this time of year, many are finding it easier to get out of fields.

“We would always advise owners to ensure that their horse is kept in a field with secure fencing and, if a horse is tethered, to ensure that he is tethered safely according to the Code of Practice on Tethering,” said a spokesman for World Horse Welfare.

“Always make sure that you make regular checks on your horse to ensure that he is kept in a safe and secure environment, thus reducing the chance of any harm coming to your animal or others.”

Horse owners are also reminded that under the Animals Act 1971 they are liable for their animals’ actions should they cause an accident.

“It is important to remember, however, that even the most diligent owners need to check their boundary fences are secure. Should their horse escape and cause an accident, they could be held strictly liable,” said Gemma Stanford of the BHS.

A growing issue

Animal rescue specialist Jim Green from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service told H&H loose horses are increasingly a problem — most likely due to the financial climate.

“We’re seeing more and more being dumped and then roaming loose due to these days of austerity,” he said.

He also warned that horses often escaped when gates were left open by members of the public, and that it wasn’t just road accidents that were a problem — horses falling into ditches, canals and even becoming stuck down manholes seem an increasing occurance.

“Earlier this month we were called out as a horse that had escaped from a nearby field was in a leisure centre car park,” he said.

“It was a stallion and was causing mayhem and biting people. The police were called but were struggling, so called us. The problem is that not many of them have horse experience, so they don’t appreciate the risk.”

He added that the fire service is working with the equestrian industry to encourage all emergency services responders to be aware of the dangers and to have training.

But financial cutbacks are a problem.

“Despite the number of cases the fire services are getting they are still reluctant [to act] as it takes extra training — but we must put the message out that loose animals are also a hazard to the public. Recently a motorcylist was killed in the New Forest when he hit a pony.”

In 2012 the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Association (BARTA) was set up to help fire services all over the country.

“We need to keep our profile up and urge people to support the work of the animal rescue services,” added Mr Green.

The Hampshire Animal Rescue Unit was set up 10 years ago. Last year the unit received 300 calls, 80 of which involved large animals, and the unit has provided training for firefighters in 44 of the 50 fire services in the country.

“There are significant cuts being made and animal rescue is one of the areas being scrutinised. We’ve got to be more efficient and smarter because we won’t have the resources we’ve had,” he added.

The scourge of fly-grazing

One of the major causes for the increase in road accidents is the growing issue of fly-grazing.

According to the BHS, reports of horses straying on roads, dumped on private or council land and abandonments at livery yards have all increased.

“While accidents can happen for a number of reasons, we are aware of an increase in road traffic accidents and near-misses caused by fly-grazing and poorly tethered horses straying onto the roads. These horses are often left in fields with inadequate fencing or no fencing at all,” added Roly Owers from World Horse Welfare.

In the incident in Cambridgeshire last week in which 12 horses died on a railway line, no owner has yet come forward.

“We are very keen to find out who the horses belong to,” said sergeant David Barker of Cambridgeshire Police.

“We just can’t ascertain how the horses got onto the line. There doesn’t seem to have been any obvious access point, but we’re keeping an open mind.”

Last month equine welfare charities’ battle ongoing against fly-grazing was given a boost after a private members bill to tackle the problem was proposed.

The Control of Horses Bill has been brought forward by MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, who has worked with local groups to try to deal with the issue in his constituency (news, 24 July).

The MP wants England to follow in the footsteps of Wales, which introduced legislation in January giving local authorities the power to seize or impound horses abandoned on public or private land, without permission.

Roly added that the organisation have been working with Norfolk and Suffolk councils after a fatal accident late last year, which prompted a coroner to warn that more deaths were inevitable unless fly-grazing was addressed.

“However, fly-grazing is still on the rise in England, so this problem is likely to get worse before it gets better,” he said.

“This is an unacceptable risk to the horses, as well as to motorists. That is why we are pressing for tougher laws on fly-grazing. It may surprise some that landowners may be liable if horses escape from their land and cause an accident.”

Ref: H&H Thursday 27 December, 2014

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The escaped horse was hit by two vehicles and was struck with so much force that it was decapitated

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Thirty-two horses have been killed in a stable fire (not pictured) in Chicago, USA.

Firefighters from Crystal Lake rescue service were called out to the blaze at the Valley View Acres horse boarding facility just before 11pm on Saturday (22 November).

Five horses that had escaped the blaze were found in a nearby field unharmed.

The horses were owned by the Bauman family and others were being boarded at the stables. They included showjumpers, hunters and riding horses, many were Dutch warmbloods, thoroughbreds and Hanoverians.

Mrs Bauman had been at an Illinois Hunter Jumper Association banquet on the night the fire started. Her two sons returned home early and later saw the stable was on fire.

The stables had no fire hydrants so first responders called for extra manpower, equipment and water tenders.

Fire departments from 27 surrounding areas helped put out the blaze.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries while helping put out the fire and was treated at a local hospital but no-one else was hurt.

The damage including the loss of the horses is estimated to be over $1 million.

Both the stables and the horses were insured and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

Amber Bauman said she was particularly heartbroken by the loss of Eve, a quarter horse cross thoroughbred she had owned for 35 years.

“She pulled the carriage at my wedding, I rode her in a homecoming parade, my kids grew up riding her…It’s like saying goodbye to what’s left of your childhood,” she told Chicago Tribune.

This is the second fire to claim several equine lives in the US this month.

On Tuesday 11 November, 17 horses died in a fire at Smithfield Stables near Edwardsburg in Michigan.

Around 75 firefighters attended the blaze. As the stables were in such a remote location firefighers had to travel more than a mile to access water to bring back to the barn.

The entire barn was demolished and all the horses inside died.

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A total of 12 horses are now thought to have been killed after colliding with two trains in Cambridgeshire on Wednesday evening (19 November).

The British Transport Police (BTP), Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, and the ambulance service were called after the horses were struck by the trains at Fen Road level crossing in Milton (not pictured) earlier this week.

The BTP originally estimated that seven horses had been killed, but they now think that it is more than 12.

They are still appealing for information to try and trace the owner as no one has come forward.

“We are very keen to find out who the horses belong to,” sergeant David Barker reiterated.

“At the moment it is not clear how many horses died in the incident, however, we now believe that at least 12 were killed.

“We just can’t ascertain how the horses got onto the line, there doesn’t seem to have been any obvious access point, but we’re keeping an open mind.

“If anyone has any information, which they think that could help us in our investigations please get in touch.”

One local resident also told H&H that she was concerned the body parts of some of the horses are still on the tracks.

“It’s not very nice for any commuters or their children to look out the window,” she said.

She has also reported that two of the horses were decapitated in the incident and that one of the escaped group was a foal.

Several passengers reported hearing a “loud bang” in the collision but no one was seriously injured.

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A group of horses were killed after colliding with two trains in Cambridgeshire yesterday evening (Wednesday, 19 November). Police are now appealing for information to try find their owner.

The British Transport Police (BTP) , Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, and the ambulance service were called after the horses were struck by the trains at Fen Road level crossing in Milton (not pictured).

Sergeant David Barker, who is investigating, said: “We are very keen to find out who the horses belong to. At the moment it is not clear how many horses died in the incident, however, we believe that at least seven were killed.

“I also want to know how the horses came to be on the tracks. If anyone has any information, which they think that could help us in our investigations please get in touch.”

The breeds of the horses, which are believed to have come from the fields in the Fen Road area, are unknown.

More than 200 passengers were travelling on the trains involved. One lady was taken to hospital with minor injuries but was later discharged.

The trains were the cross country service from Cambridge to Birmingham, and another from Birmingham to Stansted Airport.

One passenger described hearing “loud bang” and rattling before the train decelerated.

Paul Clarke from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service added: “Although there were no injuries following the collision a number of passengers were showing signs of distress.

“The crews opened the doors of the carriages to allow fresh air to circulate and distributed water to the passengers on board.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference ESUB/B2 of 20/11/14. Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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A horse has been decapitated in a serious road traffic accident.

The animal had escaped onto a rural lane in the dark and was hit by two vehicles. The horse was struck with so much force that it was decapitated.

The accident happened on Moor Side Lane in Oxenhope, West Yorkshire, earlier this month (Wednesday 5 November) at around 7pm.

“One car was travelling towards the horse and hit it first, then the animal was struck by a second vehicle travelling in the opposite direction,” a spokesman for West Yorkshire police told H&H.

A 51-year-old man driving a BMW was treated for shock and was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The police spokesman told H&H that the owner, who lived nearby, was contacted and attended the scene. It is unclear how the horse escaped from its field.

Drivers are urged to take extra care when travelling on country roads in the dark, as there have been several incidents in the past couple of months.

H&H has reported on several fatal road crashes recently.

On 3 November three donkeys were killed in a crash in the New Forest, in what has been described as “the worst road accident in the area for 20 years”.

One animal was killed on impact, the other two were put down after sustaining serious injuries. One had broken a hind leg, the other had a fractured shoulder.

Last month a mare and foal were hit by a car after escaping from a field in Bolton. The mare broke a leg but the foal survived. Also in October four horses were killed after being hit by an articulated lorry in Staffordshire.

Owners are urged to check their fencing to ensure there are no escape routes for animals.

“We would always advise owners to ensure that their horse is kept in a field with secure fencing and if a horse is tethered, to ensure that he is tethered safely according to the Code of Practice on Tethering,” said a spokesman for World Horse Welfare.

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A runaway horse has been put down after it fell down a manhole in Downham Market, Norfolk.

Police were called just after 4am yesterday morning (6 November) when a member of the public reported the stuck horse.

It is thought that the horse had escaped from London Road and had been running around the town before it entered the courtyard of an old cinema where its front legs fell into the manhole.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called and two engines and a specialist urban search and rescue team attended.

A vet was also called to the scene and the horse was sedated.

“The fire service used lifting equipment to free the horse. It was eventually removed from the hole at around 8am,” said a spokesman from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

“However once it was winched out the vet deemed that its injuries were too bad for it to continue a normal life so it was put to sleep,” the spokesman added.

“It is a very sad case.”

Fire services around Britain are called every week to help to free horses that have become stuck or been involved in road traffic accidents.

However, there is concern that with fire services facing cuts that there will be less resources available for animal rescue.

In July, Jim Green from the specialist animal rescue unit based at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service called on the public for greater support.

“There are significant cuts being made over the next three to four years,” Mr Green told H&H. “Animal rescue is one of the areas being scrutinised. We will have to be more efficient as we won’t have the resources we’ve had.

In 2012, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Association was set up to help fire services to receive training.

“We need to keep our profile up and urge people to support the work of the animal rescue services in times of financial trouble,” Mr Green added.

Here are some more H&H news stories about horses that have been rescued from unusual places, with happier endings:

Fire fighters free horse trapped under pipe

A horse was saved after becoming trapped under a large water pipe in a field in Scotland.

Firecrews came to rescue the seven-year-old horse who was wedged under a large pipe in his field in Thornton, Fife.

Firefighters rescue horse trapped in swimming pool

A horse was rescued from a swimming pool by firefighters.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a farm in Godshill, where the 15hh gelding had wandered on to the plastic covering of a neighbour’s pool and fallen in.

The four-year-old New Forest-cross, “Mischief”, was sedated by a vet to enable the 12 firefighters to carry out the rescue.

Firecrews work for an hour to free horse trapped in box on M6

Firefighters in Cheshire worked for over an hour to free a horse that was trapped in a horsebox on a motorway.

The horse was stuck for more than hour after it was involved in a crash on the M6.

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A driver whose car collided with a horse in South Yorkshire last month (18 September) has died.

The horse was killed in the accident and the driver was taken to hospital. The 22-year-old had been in intensive care since the crash but police confirmed that he died yesterday (Thursday 2 October).

Police had no details of where the horse had come from or why it was on the road.

The motorist, who has not yet been named, was driving an Audi A4 car when he hit the horse at 6.05am on a road in Askern, a town on the outskirts of Doncaster.

The road was closed in both directions afterwards to enable the recovery work to take place.

The South Yorkshire police are appealing for witnesses to the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 111 of September 18 2014 or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Racing fans and welfare charities have criticised the actions of the Daily Mirror after the paper published photos on its front page of a racehorse being put down (20 September).

The piece, headlined “Shot in the head… a tragic end for a £1.3m champion”, was accompanied by graphic images after Wigmore Hall broke a leg at Doncaster (13 September).

The photographs were supplied to the paper by campaign group Animal Aid.

BHA seeks meeting

Robin Mounsey of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said the organisation was “appalled” and that it was seeking a meeting with the paper’s editor, who has so far defended the decision to print.

“All that the images show is a vet doing his job and carrying out an act of humanity to prevent an animal from suffering,” said Mr Mounsey.

“They show the same actions whether the incident was occurring on a racecourse or at home in a field.

“Animal Aid is not a welfare organisation, nor is it a charity. It campaigns for the banning of horseracing, despite the disastrous effect that this would have on the thoroughbred horse as a breed, and on the rural economy.”

The organisation added that over the past 15 years, the equine fatality rate has fallen by one-third, to just over 0.2% of runners.

Welfare groups react

The piece shocked welfare charities too.

The RPSCA’s David Muir told The Guardian he could not see that the racecourse or the vet had done anything wrong.

And Roly Owers from World Horse Welfare said the pictures were “deeply shocking”.

“Sadly many major injuries, such as Wigmore Hall’s, cannot be successfully treated, in part because of the sheer weight of a horse. Immediate on-course euthanasia, by a veterinary surgeon using a gun or by injection, is the kindest option.

“Promoting a discussion about horse welfare in sport is certainly a legitimate aim, but it is difficult to see how the publication of these photos could serve to achieve this.

“All the article appears to have done is to very publicly sensationalise a tragedy for a horse and those who cared about him, and to vilify a legitimate and humane method of euthanasia.”

However, he added that any racecourse fatality was “deeply regrettable” and should never be accepted simply as an inevitable side-effect of sport. Therefore, every effort should be made to learn from any death.

Upsetting to connections

Trainer Michael Bell said he found the decision to publish the photos “disgusting”.

“Many tears were shed afterwards. ‘Wiggie’ had been a favourite in the yard for six years — he never wanted for anything,” he said.

“I cannot overstate how upsetting the publication of these pictures is. Did those responsible for the decision take into consideration the feelings of those close to the horse before publishing?”

H&H readers took to the forum to express disgust for the piece.

“This shouldn’t be front page news,” wrote one.

Another added: “His connections shouldn’t have to have this on a tabloid front page — it is just incredibly insensitive.”

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 25 September 2014

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A horse has died during a traffic accident in the West Midlands last week.

A car collided with a horse and cart in Stonnall, near Walsall, on Friday (19 September) seriously injuring the passengers and killing the horse.

Three ambulances from West Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the junction of Chester Road and Lazy Hill just before 8.30pm.

A trauma doctor, paramedics and medics from the Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency (CARE) team also attended the scene.

“Upon arrival crews found a horse-drawn cart and a car which had been involved in a significant collision,” said a spokesman from the ambulance service.

“A young boy, who had been riding the horse at the time of the collision, sustained a serious head injury and abrasions to his body.”

The medics anaesthetised the boy at the scene to stabilise him and he was then taken to Birmingham Childrens’ Hospital.

The 17-year-old girl thrown from the cart had suspected spinal injuries.

She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, a regional trauma centre, for further emergency treatment.

A man and two-year-old boy in the cart were found to have suffered less serious injuries.

Both were taken to Walsall Manor hospital along with the driver of the car — a man believed to be in his seveneties who had sustained a minor head injury.

The horse was pronounced dead at the scene by an emergency vet.

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A horse has died as the result of an injury sustained during the cross-country phase at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials today (6 September).

Sara Squire’s Orto hit the first element of Fence 19 — where Sara looked like she was going to take the long route — and was immediately pulled up.

After being examined by a vet it emerged that the 13-year-old had done serious damage to his right stifle.

“Following transportation to our veterinary hospital facility where a detailed examination including radiography was conducted by our expert team of veterinary surgeons, the decision was made to euthanize him on welfare grounds,” said a spokesman from Burghley.

“We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Sara, the owners Mr & Mrs Budd, and all associated with Orto ­—­­ such a talented horse.”

Sara had ridden the horse since BE100 level and this was the combination’s first four-star. Sara and Orto were in 29^th place after dressage and had been jumping clear until this point.

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