A horse who was badly injured in a head-on collision with a car was “left to die” in the road by the men who had been driving her.
The RSPCA is appealing for information following the incident in Great Bridge Road, Bilston, West Midlands, on Sunday (May 13).
The mare was part of a procession involving a number of horse-drawn vehicles. She collided head-on with a car, the impact smashing the windscreen of the vehicle.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The men who had been driving abandoned her, bleeding “profusely”.
“The horse was lying in the road and bleeding where the smashed windscreen had cut into her front and legs,” said RSPCA inspector Vicki Taylor, who was on the scene with police. “This was a shocking sight and she was clearly suffering.
“Thankfully the family who were in the car were uninjured but their vehicle was badly damaged.
“When I arrived, the men with the horse had already left, dragging the trap away with them.
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Witnesses provided photos of two men taking off the trap and leaving the horse in the road.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
“It must have been a shock to be involved in an accident like this but these men essentially abandoned this horse to die.
“As they left, two men were pictured trying to hide their faces. We are now appealing for anyone who may recognise the horse, or the men in these images, to contact us in strictest confidence on the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 1238018.”
The mare, who is about seven years old, is also underweight but is now recovering at a private boarding establishment in RSPCA care.
“Thankfully the equine vet is positive she will recover despite the open wounds which may take a while to start healing,” said Inspector Taylor.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.
