An abandoned miniature Shetland found with a horrific tether injury that left the veins in her neck exposed is making progress under veterinary care.

On 18 March a member of the public raised the alarm after discovering Thumbelina wandering next to the river Don at the Jubilee Bridge in Thorne, Doncaster.

RSPCA inspector Tamsin Drysdale was able to catch Thumbelina, and arranged transport and urgent veterinary treatment.

“The wound on the little pony – who is only about the size of a Labrador – was so serious that the muscle had started to rot away leaving her veins exposed,” said an RSPCA spokesman, who added that the injury is believed to have been caused by a tether.

**Warning: very graphic image**

Ms Drysdale described it as “one of the worst injuries of its kind” that she had seen during her 16-year career with the RSPCA.

“When I approached Thumbelina I could smell the wound before I could even see it. The flesh was literally rotting away under her mane and she was obviously in terrible pain and discomfort. She was understandably distressed and it would have taken many weeks of neglect, if not longer, for her to have deteriorated into such an awful state,” she said.

“She’s receiving antibiotics and pain relief and the wound on her neck is currently being cleaned, flushed and re-dressed daily. The vet is pleased at the progress she’s making. It’s going to take time, but we’re cautiously optimistic that she will go on to make a full recovery.”

The spokesman added that Thumbelina is also being treated for an abscess on her lower gum, and she has “deformed” back legs, which “could have been caused by her being tethered for long periods of time”. She is receiving care at the home of an RSPCA fosterer, and has a new stablemate, Roy the cockerel.

“She’s a very sweet-natured little girl and is already beginning to show that sassy nature that Shetlands are known for, so we hope that’s a sign she’s beginning to feel a little better,” said Ms Drysdale.

“I don’t think she would have survived much longer without veterinary intervention. The rain was torrential that night and there was also the possibility that she could have fallen into the river, given the distressed and disorientated state she was in.”

Thumbelina was not microchipped and the RSPCA is appealing to anyone who recognises her, or has information which could help, to contact the charity’s appeals line on 0330 123 8018.

“It’s not known how long Thumbelina had been next to the river and where she may have come from, although a barbed wire fence on nearby land had been cut. The long-standing wound is thought to have been left untreated for many weeks,” said the spokesman.

“Although tethering is not specifically illegal in itself, the RSPCA does not recommend it as a viable way to keep equines because of a number of welfare issues associated with the practice. The charity receives about 5,000 complaints about tethered horses every year.”

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A Welsh pony found tethered on a roadside is continuing to make dreams come true as he teaches his next young rider the ropes.

In 2019 H&H reported that Lisa Soanes from Cottingham, had seen a youngster tethered alone on a roadside in 2015. After “falling in love” she set off to find the pony’s owners and paid £150 for him.

“Sonny” was started under saddle the following year aged four and went on to become a best friend to Lisa’s daughter Grace, who was seven at the time.

Lisa told H&H Grace and Sonny went on to do “everything” together from showing, Pony Club and showjumping, but the 11.2hh gelding took a particular shine to the hunting field.

“He hunted with all the big horses and jumped everything. The hunt master arrived back and said ‘Where is this pony from? He’s incredible’ and I told him ‘Off the side of the road’. He couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Grace, now 13, grew out of Sonny but selling him was never on the agenda.

“I put an ad up last May looking for a full-time loaner and now a young rider called Daisy has taken him on. He’s still at the same yard so Grace still gets to see him every day,” said Lisa, adding that Grace is getting on well with her new pony Stan.

“Daisy had just come out of the riding school and is having the best time learning on Sonny. They started with in-hand showing, and now they are doing preliminary dressage and getting top marks. She’s doing really well with him, and she adores him.”

Lisa previously said “if Sonny was 16.2hh he’d be worth millions”.

“No matter what he is always happy and has his ears pricked forward. He’s just a little poppet. When Grace used to get on him he’d get so excited, and when Daisy gets on him he really takes care of her and goes slow and steady – he just knows,” said Lisa.

“It’s so lovely he is now giving somebody else such lovely memories.”

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The owner of a Welsh section A who was found tethered on a roadside and bought for £150 has become a “dream pony”— and a showing champion.

Lisa Soanes from Cottingham was hacking along Eppleworth Road in October 2015 when she saw the youngster tethered alone near a traveller site.

“I saw him and I fell in love,” Lisa told H&H.

“Later that day I thought ‘I need to see him’ and I went back in the car. I called my husband, Jim, and said we had to find out who he belonged to. Jim went to the traveller site but was told he wasn’t theirs; he belonged to a man who lived on a nearby estate so they showed us where he lived.”

Lisa paid £150 and gave a driving harness in return for the now seven-year-old 11.2hh, whom she named Sonny.

“We got the trailer and collected him the same day. We took him to the yard and gave him a deep straw bed,” she said.

“He was a bit on the thin side so we spent weeks feeding him up. He got his teeth and feet done, then he was given time to mature with lots of love and TLC.”

Sonny was started under saddle in 2016.

“He has the most lovely temperament. One day we decided to pop my daughter Grace on him, who was seven at the time, and he was fine. We think he may have been ridden a bit around the estate before,” said Lisa.

“A teenager at the yard started doing a bit of ridden work with him and then Grace took over. We took him to his first show and he was in-hand champion.”

Lisa said Grace and Sonny have formed an incredible bond together.

“She loves him and he loves her. They are such a brilliant pair and have taught each other so much. They do everything together; showing, hunting, driving, and have completed a one-day-event. Sonny has a real flair for jumping so they are now taking jumping lessons,” she said.

“Sonny does everything with ease – if he was 16.2hh he’d be worth millions; he’s just one of those types, you dream of a horse like him.”

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Lisa said Sonny will be with them for life after she decided it was too upsetting to sell him.

“Someone contacted me who was interested in buying him and the thought of it made Grace ill. I told her we would have to sell him as she would outgrow him, but when it came to the vetting he had issues lunging on concrete so the person decided not to buy him – I took it as a green light that we were keeping him. Both Grace and I cried tears of joy. I’ve told Grace we won’t be selling him, I won’t put her through it,” she said.

“When Grace grows out of him she’s going to do driving with him and we’ll find another little jockey to ride him for us. I can’t let go of him.”

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The government is to address “best practice” on tethering following a debate at parliament yesterday (20 February).

MPs raised concerns about the risk of neglect and welfare issues in tethered horses at the adjournment debate in the House of Commons.

MP Luke Hall, who opened the debate, said as tethered horses can be moved quickly it is “virtually impossible” to monitor their welfare.

“This debate follows the Break the Chain campaign run by the excellent HorseWorld trust, a leading equine rescue charity in the southwest, just next door to my constituency,” he said. “The Break the Chain campaign aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to include restrictions on the tethering of horses.

“We are seeing horses being tethered all across the country, potentially leaving them open to neglect, cruelty and abuse, and potentially posing a danger to the people around them, too.​

“Tethering is not deemed enough of a breach of the Animal Welfare Act to allow horse charities to intervene. A tethered horse also does not have the freedom to interact with its own species, as the Act says it should. Leaving horses isolated has been shown to increase stress levels and stress-related hormones, which can cause them to display stereotypical behaviours that cause physical and psychological harm.”

Mr Hall added that long-term tethering is in “direct conflict” with legislation.

“In many instances authorities have not felt that the Animal Welfare Act is strong enough grounds to rescue [tethered] horses, despite the obvious suffering. It is therefore my belief, and the belief of the charity that initiated this campaign, that the Act needs to be amended to state explicitly what constitutes inappropriate tethering,” said Mr Hall.

Parliamentary under-secretary for Defra David Rutley responded to say the aim of the government’s work in this area is to “hightlight that tethering should be for the short term”.

“I should clarify that tethering is not a banned activity, as there are circumstances in which tethering may avoid a greater risk of harm arising—for example, if a horse strayed into a place of danger,” said Mr Rutley.

“The 2006 Act is backed up by a number of statutory codes of practice, including the code for the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids. The code provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet their animals’ welfare needs and includes a specific section on how to tether horses and other animals covered by the code.

“Although tethering is not prevented or illegal under the code, the code does include detailed specific advice on tethering and how it should be done properly. It details which animals are not suitable for tethering and provides advice on a suitable and appropriate site—for example, a site should not allow the horse access to a public highway or public footpaths.

“The appropriate tethering of horses is an important issue that the government is taking action to address. We have put a number of protections in the 2006 Act, the code for the welfare of horses and the 2015 Act. The strong arguments made today and the concerns that have been raised mean that I shall call for a meeting with key stakeholders in the months ahead to see what more can be done in sharing and documenting best practice on horse tethering and ensuring that messages on best practice are more actively disseminated to horse owners.”

Tethering to be debated in parliament as charity highlights risks of ‘severe’ suffering

The charity received more than 5,000 complaints last year about tethered horses

Bright future for injured filly found tangled in twine

The youngster has returned to World Horse Welfare's Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre to continue her education

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HorseWorld fundraising and communications manager Stephen Poole told H&H the debate marks a “major milestone” in the charity’s campaign to end the practice of tethering a horse for long periods of time.

“It’s significant progress and the best possible outcome from this adjournment,” he said.

RSPCA equine welfare expert Mark Kennedy said: “We are pleased to hear the government plans to hold a round table with key stakeholders to discuss the issue further and consider options, and we look forward to contributing to this.”

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Tethering is to be debated in parliament today (20 February) as a welfare charity issues a stark reminder to owners of the risks following cases of “severe” suffering.

The adjournment debate takes place at the House of Commons and the RSPCA said the charity hopes to “safeguard hundreds of horses in the future” after receiving more than 5,000 complaints last year about tethered horses.

RSPCA equine welfare expert Mark Kennedy said: “As the biggest animal welfare charity, we are called almost every day by people up and down the country who are concerned about tethered horses, some of which have suffered horrible injuries after becoming tangled up in their tethers.

“It’s a very difficult situation for us, because at the moment tethering is not illegal in itself, so often our officers are unable to take action unless a vet can confirm the horse is suffering. Sometimes just being tethered, though it poses a lot of risk, isn’t causing suffering at the time we visit, so often our hands are tied.”

Dr Kennedy said the charity has seen many “severe” cases where tethering has caused suffering including Raspy, a pony found in Sutherland last year with a maggot-infested injury caused by two embedded headcollars.

“We have also seen cases where the horse’s legs have become tangled up in the chain or rope and they are unable to move at all. All of these are reasons why we believe tethering poses significant risk to welfare and is therefore an inappropriate way to keep horses,” he said.

“For the welfare needs of a tethered horse to be met, they would have to be very carefully and regularly monitored, safely tethered with properly designed and fitted equipment, given appropriate shelter, feed and water, along with regular and lengthy periods of free-roaming without the tether, but sadly, this rarely happens.

“Tethered horses are not only at risk of becoming injured themselves, they also pose a serious risk to the public, especially when they are left close to busy roads and roundabouts where if they were to become loose, they could cause accidents.”

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Dr Kennedy said the charity is interested in considering approches to address the problem but warned that banning tethering could lead to other problems.

“While the introduction of stricter measures such as a maximum time period on the tether may be a way forward, the impact of this and other potential legislation on the ongoing horse crisis of neglected, abandoned and fly-grazed equines is unknown. If tethering were to be banned outright, this could lead to problems elsewhere, such as increased fly-grazing and abandonment, so we believe that careful thought and consideration is needed to identify the best way forward,” he said.

“Whether or not a change in the law occurs, the key issue is enforcement of existing animal welfare legislation, so we believe that appropriate resources must be made available to the main enforcement bodies to ensure they can properly enforce existing legislation.

“In the meantime, we hope to continue educating and working with horse owners to discourage tethering and promote more suitable, welfare-friendly ways of keeping horses.”

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A bay yearling found tangled in baling twine on the side of the road has a bright future ahead of her.

The youngster, who has been named Izzy, was discovered by a member of the public in May 2015.

World Horse Welfare was made aware of Izzy’s suffering and officers found her in a dreadful state.

Izzy had been tethered using the twine and had become wrapped up in the string, which was cutting into her legs and chest.

“Too young to be tethered, Izzy had panicked and the baling twine round her neck had ended up tangled round her legs and chest where the harsh material had resulted in several painful wounds that needed urgent treatment by the team at Penny Farm,” said a World Horse Welfare spokesman.

“Izzy’s leg was so badly damaged from the twine that it needed to be stapled then cleaned and bandaged every day, plus she was also suffering from a skin condition and lice infestation.”

World Horse Welfare field officer, Sarah Tucker, added: “Twine should never be used to tether a horse. Izzy’s case is a prime example of the serious consequences from inappropriate tethering, particularly when the horse is so young.

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“Baling twine is clearly not a suitable material for tying a horse and in Izzy’s case has caused a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering that could have easily been avoided.”

Centre Manager Fran Williamson was delighted with Izzy’s progress following her rescue.

“Izzy is making a great recovery and is behaving like a perfect patient,” she said last year.

“We’re confident that once she has undergone rehabilitation in our centre she has a really bright future ahead and will hopefully be a fantastic candidate for our rehoming scheme.”

Izzy was rehomed for youngster handling in August 2015 and spent a “very happy” year in Yorkshire building her trust and confidence in humans.

She recently came back to World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm to continue her education through the winter months.

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A horse owner has been fined £750 and given a 12-month community order for tethering a mare with a foal at foot with insufficient food and water.

Alan Jenkins, 59, of Clwyd Road, Penlan, faced one offence under the Animal Welfare Act at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 18 May — which he denied.

The court heard he “did not meet the needs” of a chestnut mare, who was kept with her foal on land off Clywd Road.

Magistrates found he did not provide for the horses’ needs in terms of adequate shelter, food or water and the tethering method used.

At his sentencing at the same court on Friday (3 June), he was given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £750 to the RSPCA plus an £85 victim surcharge.

“For many years the RSPCA has been concerned for the welfare of tethered horses and frequently deals with calls about tethering from concerned members of public,” said RSPCA inspector Neill Manley.

“Hopefully this will serve as a lesson to those in the area who persist in using tethering as a way to keep their horses.

“It is not acceptable to tether a horse other than as an exceptional short term method and where significant welfare breaches are identified in the future the owners could risk prosecution.”

The Welsh government’s code of practice for equines states that tethering is not a suitable long-term method of keeping a horse.

The code also lists strict criteria for short-term tethering.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said a “considerable number” of breaches of the code were identified and “the owner was not willing to take advice about improvement”.

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An equine charity in Wales has opposed a suggested ban on tethering horses.

Swansea City Council has received calls for a ban to combat the widespread problem of tethering in public areas.

However, the Community Horse and Pony Scheme (CHAPS) has launched a petition against such a ban.

“On the surface, this might seem an unlikely stance for an organisation focussed on animal welfare in the community,” said a CHAPS spokesman.

“However, we have learnt that when tethering is discouraged or prevented, there is the likelihood that horses are moved out of public sight, to even less suitable environments, such as unsuitable yards, garages and garden sheds.

“There is often no exercise area, the stables are rarely cleaned and food and water provision is often woefully inadequate — animals suffer more than they would if they were tethered.”

CHAPS believe that educating owners will help combat the problem of tethering.

A Swansea City Council spokesman told H&H they are exploring the issues surrounding horse welfare and tethering, but they were not yet at a stage where they were considering a ban.

Tethering is not illegal, but welfare charities including the RSPCA do not recommend the practice.

“When investigating calls of concern about tethered horses the RSPCA uses the Welsh Government, Code of Practice for the welfare of equines,” said inspector Neill Manley.

“Even when tethered in the short term, many tethered horses do not meet the minimum standard laid out in the codes of practice and owners run the risk of falling foul of the law.

“Under the Animal Welfare Act owners have a legal duty of care to meet the five welfare needs of their horses at all times. Those who tether a horse could be in breach of the Act if it means that the animal’s basic needs are not being met. If a horse needs to be tethered in order to have access to grazing, it must only be for short periods of time. For the remainder of the day the horse should have access to shelter, and a space to run free and interact freely with other horses.”

To view the CHAPS petition click here

Related articles:

• Pony’s head was nearly severed by tethering chain
• ‘Distressed’ mare rescued by charity after being forced to foal while tethered
• Yearling suffered serious injuries after being tethered with twine

Horse welfare

CHAPS was set up in 2014 after receiving a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The organisation is based on a 26-acre site in Gowerton, Swansea, where it provides rural and equine-based activities and training. It also rehomes horses, promotes equine welfare and provides a range of educational opportunities.

CHAPS supports people in the community through therapy involving horses and outdoor activities.

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A distressed mare has been rescued after she was forced to give birth while tethered by the neck.

Bristol-based charity HorseWorld rescued the mare and foal, named Catena and Salisbury, in May.

“Tethering can be very dangerous and is not a practice we would recommend at the best of times,” said HorseWorld’s equine rescue manager Jerry Watkins

“Catena had to go through the pain and discomfort of giving birth while being restrained by a chain which prevented her from moving around freely and frequently entangled her legs.

“She was also left without shelter or water for long periods of time and was accompanied in the field by a stallion who had tried to attack her foal. She was restrained from protecting her own baby and was very distressed.”

Catena and Salisbury were seized under the animal welfare act and brought back to HorseWorld so the charity could begin their rehabilitation.

Catena’s hooves were very overgrown and split.

Her hinds had shoes on and her front feet still had nails in where the shoes had been pulled off as the hooves grew. The mare is now receiving specialist hoof care as part of her rehabilitation.

She is now running loose in a large field with Salisbury and is “enjoying the freedom”, according to the charity.

Tethering is not illegal, but the charity feels the practice denies the horse the freedom to behave naturally.

“A frightened horse is denied the ability to run, the most basic instinct of a prey animal. If tethered to or near a tree, the horse can become entangled and injure itself. If tethered in open ground, it has no shelter from sun, wind, rain or flies,” said a spokesman for the charity.

“Any grazing a tethered horse has access to will quickly become poached or fouled with droppings as the horse cannot walk more than a few metres.

“A tethered horse cannot interact with other horses, it cannot engage in mutual grooming or other social interactions. The provision of water that cannot be knocked over, become a tangle risk or be a water source that the horse can fall into is virtually impossible.”

The charity is now appealing for information on the public’s view on the practice.

“We would like to know people’s opinions on tethering” said HorseWorld’s communications officer, Amy Williams.

“We have set up an online poll which you can take part in quickly and easily on the HorseWorld website news page.”

For more information visit: www.horseworld.org.uk

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A yearling found wrapped in her baler twine tether is recovering at World Horse Welfare’s Blackpool centre after being rescued on 1 May.

A member of the public found Izzy in distress on the side of the road in West Yorkshire.

She had been tethered round her neck and was so entangled in the baler twine it was cutting into her legs and chest.

The owner agreed to sign Izzy over to World Horse Welfare and she was removed to the charity’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming centre for treatment.

The twine had so badly damaged her leg, it needed to be stapled, then cleaned and bandaged every day.

The yearling was also found to be suffering from a skin condition and lice infestation.

“Twine should never be used to tether a horse. Izzy’s case is a prime example of the serious consequences from inappropriate tethering, particularly when the horse is so young,” said World Horse Welfare field officer Sarah Tucker.

“Baler twine is clearly not a suitable material for tying a horse and in Izzy’s case has caused a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering which could have easily been avoided,” she added.

Centre manger Fran Williamson said Izzy is “making a great recovery and is behaving like a perfect patient.”

“We’re confident that once she has undergone rehabilitation in our centre she has a really bright future ahead and will hopefully be a fantastic candidate for our rehoming scheme,” she added.

Izzy will hopefully be well enough to receive visitors at Penny Farm’s family fun day on 27 May.

Children can meet the other rescued horses and ponies at the farm, take part in groom a pony sessions, have a go on the bouncy castle or have their face painted.

The day runs from 11-4pm, with free entry.

For more information visit: www.worldhorsewelfare.org

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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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A horse that was found with multiple stab wounds had to be put down on the side of the road in Yorkshire yesterday (22 September).

The RSPCA were called when the black and white cob type gelding was found loose on the side of the road in Murton Way, Osbaldwick.

The gelding, who was thought to be about three-years-old, had five stab wounds and was euthanased by a vet at the scene to prevent further suffering.

“He was wearing a head collar and tether strap so had been tethered and either released or had escaped from it,” said a spokesman from the RSPCA.

“We believe more than one person was likely involved in this incident, as it seems impossible that the horse would have allowed someone to do this to him without being restrained.”

The owner of the horse has not yet been identified and the RSPCA is urging anyone who has more information about the incident to phone 0300 1234 999 and ask to leave a message for RSPCA inspector Claire Mitchell.

The perpetrators could face a maximum prison sentence of six months and/or a £20,000 if they are found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

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Owners of illegally tethered horses have been ordered to pay £2,000 to get them back, or see them sold at auction.

The animals were seized and impounded by officials in the West Midlands.

So far, 18 horses have been seized from the Tipton area, but only one has been reclaimed.

While tethering per se is not illegal, Sandwell Council has a strict no-grazing policy across its parks and green spaces.

Sandwell councillor Derek Rowley told H&H the round-up was essential:

“It was provoked by complaints of anti-social behaviour, damage to council property and injuries to people, who were using public open space, by being knocked over by loose horses,” he said.

The British Horse Society supports the initiative.

But Mark Farrington, who had a horse removed by bailiffs because it was left tethered on public land, told local media the problem was caused by horses allowed to roam loose.

“Tethering is something we’ve done for years,” he said.

“Our horses don’t cause problems on the chains, it’s the loose ones which we don’t agree with.”

Another man whose horse was seized is investigating legal avenues to get it back after refusing to pay the £2,000 fine.

Tethered horses have long been contentious in this part of the BlackCountry, with owners campaigning to preserve the tradition. Around 100 people have staged formal protests.

This news story was first published in the curren issue of H&H (24 November 2011)

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RSPCA inspectors are appealing for information after finding a Shetland pony whose head was almost severed by her tethering chain in Bradford.

The bay mare, named Susie by the charity, had been suffering for such a long time that tissue had begun growing through the chain links.

She was spotted by a member of the public in a field on Lower Lane, Bradford.

RSPCA inspector Rachel Oprysk said: “When the call came in it was actually about a pony which had the debris of a Christmas tree, odd as it sounds, tangled in a chain that had been used as a tether.

“She didn’t want to come anywhere near us and it took a couple of visits to catch her.

“When we finally did it became apparent that she was actually very badly injured indeed.

“Her head-collar and the chain had dug into her. The wound around her neck was so deep it had almost severed her head. It really was touch and go.”

Susie was taken to an equine veterinary practice on Thursday 17 March where staff sedated her in order to remove the chain.

The wound was so big that it couldn’t be stitched so the risk of infection was huge.

“She’s doing really well, amazingly, and we’ve just moved her from the vets to a boarding establishment,” said Inspector Oprysk.

“She has been very lucky though. She was in a really terrible state, a state it’s taken an awful long time for her to get into, and we want to know who her owner is.

“This is what can happen when people tether their ponies inappropriately.

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for Inspector Oprysk.

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A yearling pony died after being strangled by its tether, Bolton Magistrates Court has heard.

Kyle McClements, aged 19, of Kingsley Street, Halliwell, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, after a member of the public rang the RSPCA on 25 May to report the dead pony.

The grey pony, that was tethered to a tree on grassland in Doffcocker, Bolton, suffered an agonising death, an RSPCA inspector told the court on Monday (23 August).

Magistrates sentenced Mr McClements to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £250 prosecution costs.

RSPCA inspector Ben Strangwood, speaking to a local newspaper, said: “This pony suffered an awful death because of the way Mr McClements had tethered it.

“He had little experience of tethering and hadn’t properly considered the terrain or hazards in the area and hadn’t used suitable equipment.

“Anyone tethering their horse must ensure they know what they’re doing.”

He said the RSPCA does not advocate tethering for long-term management of an animal.

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An owner has been fined £3,000 and has been given a three-year conditional discharge last week after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony two years ago.

Marvin, a 13hh pony, was found tethered in an Essex field in December 2006. A concerned member of the public rang the Redwings welfare helpline.

Marvin was only 18-months-old when he was found and had wounds on his head and nose — caused by a headcollar, which was padlocked to a heavy chain staked to the ground. He was also underweight.

A vet was called for to check on Marvin, and confirmed that he was suffering as a result of his low weight, untreated wounds and unsuitable method of tethering.

The pony was transferred to Redwing’s Ada Cole Centre, but because Marvin’s owner refused to sign the pony over into Redwings’ care, or admit that they were guilty of causing suffering the RSPCA launched legal proceedings.

After three days of evidence the court case concluded on 17 July and the judge at Basildon Magistrates Court agreed that Marvin’s owner was guilty of causing his pony unnessessary suffering.

Marvin is now a healthy and lively pony and has finally been signed over into Redwings’ care.

Jo Franklin from Redwings said: “Marvin is a very cheeky chap and it is sad to think that anyone could have treated him so irresponsibly.

“We’re grateful to the member of the public who originally alerted us to his situation and to the RSPCA, vet and judge who ensured that Marvin’s story did eventually end happily ever after.”

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A horse and pony warden is to be introduced in Cardiff to deal with stray animals roaming the city’s streets.

The council is to spend £40,000 a year to pay for a member of staff and equipment needed to round up the strays, which are tethered to graze all round the council’s open spaces.

Owners will be charged a £75 pick-up fee and £15-a-day livery to get their horses back. Further details of how the role will work are still to be finalised.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (20 March, ’08)

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A man has been sentenced to four months in jail for causing unnecessary suffering to a horse.

Clonus Jones, 53, of Shelfanger Road, Diss, Norfolk, also had an existing ban from keeping equines extended from 10 to 15 years.

Jones appeared at Thetford Magistrates Court on Monday, 1 October, charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a black cob mare which was found by RSPCA inspectors with a severe facial injury caused by a rope head collar and overgrown hooves.

The horse was one of a number removed from a location off Rose Lane, Diss, on 1 November, 2006, in a joint operation involving the RSPCA, International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) and other agencies.

In July, Thetford Magistrates Court issued Jones with a 10-year ban on keeping equines for causing unnecessary suffering to a bay stallion. The horse had been found tethered to a 30ft chain with a canvas collar embedded in its neck. It had also been attacked by open cuts on both sides of its body.

On Monday, Thetford Magistrates extended its earlier ban, and ordered Jones’s co-defendant, Jason Shaw, 22, of Ladbrooke Close, Diss, to serve 100hr of community service. Shaw was also fined £200 costs, banned from keeping horses for three years and given a five-month curfew under which he cannot go out between 8pm and 8am.

Both Jones and Shaw have lodged appeals.

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