Horses taken into care after round-up on Dublin rubbish tip
Twelve horses have been taken into the care of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust following the round-up of animals on the former Dunsink tip in Dublin.
More than 70 equines were checked by a vet, microchipped and treated for parasites over two days earlier this month, as part of a year-long management plan for the 160-acre site.
Passports and microchips for all the equines were sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland.
“It was a huge operation to get the round-up done,” said Sharon Newsome of the IHWT. “But we achieved our objectives due to the fantastic co-operation of responsible horse owners from the area and the help and support of the council.”
A mare that had been running wild on the dump for more than 12 years was among those removed by the IHWT and she and her young foal are now settled at the IHWT centre.
Ruairi O’ Dulaing, spokesperson for Fingal County Council, said: “We are committed to sorting out the horse issues in the area for the long term.”
The next phase of the project, to have stallions castrated to stop further breeding is due to commence in March.
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Other work will include creating a temporary watering and feeding station and training for the young people who keep horses in the area.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.