‘Heartbreaking to see horses’ plight’

Worried passers-by call RSPCA but charity says it could only remove one animal

An unhealthy horse has been removed from a field in Ashford by an animal charity following concerns over its welfare.

The animal was one of three that have been living on a piece of land off Victoria Road, opposite the primary school.

Passers-by had noticed that the horses were looking underweight and that their hair was badly matted.

Concerned neighbour Hannah Poynton said: “Their manes are very matted. They will need to be shaved in order to sort them.

“It isn’t a very large field and the waste is building up. It smells.

“People have been stopping as they go past. There is no fresh water for them.”

Mrs Poynton called animal charity the RSPCA three times to report her concerns about the animals.

She adds: “The lady I spoke to said they had received 30 calls.”

Officers from the organisation visited the site with a vet, and after evaluating the horses, decided to remove one of them.

A spokesman said: “The RSPCA is aware of horses kept at Victoria Road in Ashford and has been visiting them on a regular basis to check on their welfare for the past couple of months.

“We have visited with a vet on several occasions and are in conversations with the owner to give them advice and improve their conditions.

“One of the horses was said to be underweight by a vet and as a result was signed over by the owners and given into the care of another horse charity.”

However, Mrs Poynton thinks that it is time the other two are removed too.

Another concerned resident, Jan Cook, took the horses some food on Sunday, but said one could barely eat.

She said: “I went down with some apples and carrots, but one couldn’t even bite into the apple. It is pitiful.

“Their mane and tails are covered in brambles and thistles. When they swish their tails, you can see that they must be in some kind of discomfort.

“It’s sickening to know that their owner can just leave them like that. It breaks my heart.”

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

People are worried about the condition of the horses in a field off Victoria Road, Ashford