Starved horse seeks fresh start
A woman who allowed her horse to become severely emaciated has been convicted following a Scottish SPCA investigation.
Lynn White, 32, from Falkirk, was banned from owning horses for a year and fined £200 at the town’s sheriff court last week (Tuesday 7 May).
She was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her then 19-year-old mare, Sapphire, by failing to provide an adequate diet or veterinary attention.
Scottish SPCA inspector Leanne McPake visited the horse last March. She said: “Even with 2 rugs on, it was clear that Sapphire was very underweight.
“When we removed the rugs, we were shocked. Sapphire was so thin that her ribs, spine and pelvic bone were clearly visible.
“The rugs she had been wearing were wet and ripped and had started rubbing against her withers, resulting in hair loss and exposed skin.”
Sapphire was taken to the charity’s Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Drumoak, where she has made “a tremendous recovery” (pictured, below).
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Staff are now hoping to find a companion home for her.
Manager Graeme Innes said: “Sapphire may be 20 years old but she certainly doesn’t act like a pensioner.
“She’s a sweet girl who loves a pamper but she doesn’t suffer fools lightly and if given the chance can be a cheeky madam, so confidence is key.
She is stiff in her hocks, meaning that she cannot be exercised.
Anyone interesting in offering Sapphire a new home should call the centre on tel: 03000 999 999.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.