Concern grows over illegal horse castrations
Welfare organisation highlights appalling cruelty after a series of illegal horse castrations in South Wales
A spate of illegal horse castrations in South Wales has led the RSPCA to launch an awareness campaign in a bid to prevent further cruelty.
The society is concerned that amateurs are carrying out castrations without painkillers or the knowledge needed for such a delicate procedure.
The RSPCA isappealing to owners that if they need their horse castrated to ensure that it is done by a qualified veterinary surgeon.
RSPCA inspector Christine McNeil was recently called to a smallholding near Llangan, Bridgend, where she found 13 ponies which she suspected had been illegally castrated.
The ponies were bleeding and distressed and some had suffered bruising to their faces probably as a result of struggling while they were held down during the castration.
The RSPCA was unable to remove the ponies from the premises that evening, and when they returned the following day all the ponies had disappeared without trace.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Gary Lucas, RSPCA chief inspector for South-East Wales, said: “It is extremely worrying that owners are carrying out this illegal operation in South Wales.
“Horses suffer tremendously from being castrated without anaesthetic and it is totally unnecessary.
“I would urge the public to contact us ifthey know of anyone carrying out this illegal act.”
It is illegal for anyone other than a qualified vet to castratea horse. Those found guilty can be prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering to the animal and also for breaching the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
Anyone with any information about the illegal castration of horses are urged to contact the RSPCA (tel: 08705 555999) or click here to visit their website.
Read other welfare articles:
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
