RSPCA dealt with 200 incidents involving horses during lockdown in Wiltshire and Hampshire

Between March 23rd and 8th September, the RSPCA dealt with 4,479 incidents involving horses across England and Wales.

32 of those were in Wiltshire and 173 in Hampshire.

Last year (2019) the charity rehomed 242 horses, but almost 760 remain in the charity's care to date, desperately needing new homes.

BRACING FOR INFLUX

The RSPCA says its braced for an influx of sick and abandoned horses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the deepening recession

Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the RSPCA said:

"Equine charities fear that autumn will create the perfect storm as grazing decreases, the end of furlough and the deepening recession will see more owners struggling with costs of care leading to neglect and abandonment, yet people have been continuing to breed horses despite Covid."

"Alongside this, equine rescues, already reporting a sharp drop in funds, may start to go under as the financial situation bites, which will increase the burden on the RSPCA. We are calling on the Government to step in with financial support as they have for other charities affected by the pandemic and recognise that the vital services provided by the animal welfare sector are under huge strain."

Nationally the number of horses in the charity's care has tripled since the last recession in 2009 but the charity fears that will increase.

MICROCHIPPING WONT SOLVE PROBLEM

New legislation demanding compulsory microchipping of all horses irrespective of age is set to come into effect in England today (1st October) - currently around 70% of the horses the RSPCA rescue are not microchipped.

But the charity fears it's not enough to tackle irresponsible breeders and owners.

Chris said:

"When it came in for dogs, the number of strays reduced by 20% in four years, but unfortunately we just don't think that's going to happen for horses. Without rigorous enforcement and tough financial penalties, there is little to stop irresponsible horse owners continuing to breed and dump their animals."

"Local authorities, who are in charge of enforcement of equine identification regulations, are already operating with extremely limited resources and are facing the huge challenges of Covid, the recession and Brexit."

"The RSPCA and other equine welfare organisations have been struggling to pick up the pieces of the horse crisis since the last recession and as we enter what could be the biggest financial downturn of a generation, the sector is already bursting at the seams and facing unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic."

APPEAL TO ADOPT

The RSPCA has launched month long campaign called Adoptober and hopes experienced horse owners will consider rehoming a rescue horse if they can.

Staff are keen to showcase the versatility and capability of the horses they rescue, whether they are ridden horses, companion animals or youngsters with heaps of potential.

Welsh pony Poppet, pictured below, is among those looking for a home.

The 4 year old was born in the charity's care after her mum was rescued by RSPCA inspectors.

You can find out more about Poppet on her page at the Millbrook Animal Centre

The RSPCA is the UK's biggest rehomer, finding 39,178 homes for pets last year - that's 107 a day, or four an hour.

You can find out more on the the charity's website.