A man has been banned from ownership after driving his in-foal mare to exhaustion. He appeared at North Cumbria Magistrates Court earlier this month after his concerning lack of horse care was brought to the attention of the RSPCA and other welfare charities.
West Midlands-based Joseph Lee Mansell, 23, of Chestnut Road in Walsall, was found guilty of overworking his horse at last year’s Appleby Horse Fair. He pleaded not guilty, but after a trial was found guilty of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 on 15 July.
The court heard that Mansell had attended the annual event in Appleby, Cumbria last June, with his trotter mare known as Classic Lady. RSPCA Inspectors and welfare officers from a number of other organisations, including World Horse Welfare and Blue Cross, were made aware on 10 June of concerns for the welfare of Classic Lady, who was reported to have collapsed at the event.
Credit: RSPCA
“[My colleagues and I] were stationed by the River Eden at an area called The Sands when communication was received over our radios that Cumbria Police were requesting assistance with an overworked horse which had been witnessed falling down multiple times on a road called Battle Barrow,” said RSPCA Inspector Carl Larsson said in his witness statement.
“We responded to the call and started to make our way towards that area, and whilst walking up the hill towards the school several members of the public told us the horse had been going up and down the hill non-stop and had fallen over several times.”
The welfare team discovered Classic Lady standing up but very sweaty and breathing heavily, and unsteady on her feet. She had suffered wounds from the fall, some of which were still bleeding, and when members of the public offered her water, she quickly drank.
Two specialist equine vets certified Classic Lady to be suffering, and Cumbria Police took her into possession, placing her in the care of the RSPCA.
Credit: RSPCA
In their witness statement the vet described the horse when she examined her: “[She] was extremely sick at the time of being removed from the owner and required intravenous fluid therapy and medical care to return her to normal metabolic status.
“The horse was ataxic and very lethargic when she moved because she was so weak from the exhaustion. A responsible horse owner would have ensured this horse was provided with adequate rest. The day was extremely hot and this should have alerted the owner to the fact that water and rest were even more vital to this horse.
“The horse had a wound on her leg, and sustained further injuries from the harness rubbing on it, and sustained further injuries when she collapsed onto the road. The horse was pregnant at the time of this event.”
Mansell was disqualified from owning or keeping equines for ten years, which he cannot appeal for five years. Magistrates sentenced him to 12 weeks custody, which will be suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to complete a 12 month community order including attending five rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay costs of £500.
In mitigation, the court heard that Mansell had no prior convictions.
“This poor horse was overworked in the heat until she collapsed, suffering needlessly,” said RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben, who carried out the investigation, after sentencing. “We along with other equine welfare organisations and Cumbria Police attend Appleby Horse Fair every year and see lots of wonderful horses who are their owner’s pride and joy, but sadly, there are those who treat their horses poorly and in this case, completely disregard their welfare.”
A new start with World Horse Welfare
Credit: World Horse Welfare
Classic Lady has transformed following her rescue, but her foal did not survive the ordeal.
“My colleagues and I are delighted that Classic Lady is thriving under the care of World Horse Welfare and although she sadly lost her foal, she has bounced back to full health,” added Mr Hogben. “I’d like to say a huge thank you to the other organisations who helped this investigation such as Cumbria Police, and Blue Cross and World Horse Welfare for the transport and ongoing care of Classic Lady.”
Adam Cummins, Farm Manager at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, said that when ‘Lady’ first came into Penny Farm, it was clear just how exhausted she was.
“She was lame, very underweight and had horrific rubs and open wounds from her harness,” he said. “Because she was nervous of people, it took a lot of time for her to relax and trust our grooms – as with many of the horses that come into our care, time and patience was key.
“With good nutrition, compassionate handling and being turned out in a settled herd, Lady grew in confidence and has a bright future ahead of her. She has recently been advertised on our rehoming website pages and is ready to find a loving new home.”
Lead image by World Horse Welfare
