Former owner’s anguish at horse neglect incident

Woman reveals she attempted to raise concerns in 2015

A woman who rehomed a thoroughbred with a Perthshire “holistic horse whisperer” caught up in a major neglect investigation has said she tried to raise concerns about the way the animals were being kept in 2015.

Dianne Stuart fears the horse, named Harry, was among the 22 removed by the Scottish SPCA from a farm near Cupar, where they had been owned by Anne MacGregor.

Four of the horses have since been put down by the animal welfare charity.

Mrs Stuart, who manages Ex-racehorse Rehoming and Rehabilitation Centre, Aberdeenshire, said she gave Harry to Ms MacGregor in 2012 after she responded to an advert but she later had concerns about how he was being treated.

She said she paid an unannounced visit to a farm near Perth where the horses were then being kept in 2015 and was horrified at what she found.

“Judging by the state of the horses they had been without food for some time. I tried to get the horse back but I wasn’t able,” she said.

“I still have the guilt that I gave her the horse in the first place.”

Scottish SPCA chief inspector John Chisholm said: “We received complaints from a member of the public with regards to horses in the care of Anne MacGregor in 2015.

“One of our inspectors visited the premises following the complaint and clear advice was given to ensure that animals’ welfare needs were met.

“There were no statutory care notices raised. Inspectors followed up with another visit to the property to make sure that the advice given was adhered to and were satisfied with the outcome.”

Ms MacGregor has published a statement on social media defending her treatment of the horses while they were stabled in Fife in January this year and explaining she had been “struggling with ill-health”.

She said: “At no time were the herd starving and all efforts were made to ensure they were fed and watered on daily basis. When the cover failed on a particular day, I personally called for immediate help.

“I have always aimed to ensure the best for the herd amid a few previous allegations, to which I have defended myself through solicitors.”

She said she personally contacted the Scottish SPCA in January to ask for help to rehome the horses.

“The Scottish SPCA visited the herd and between them, their vet and myself agreed an action plan to remove the herd.”

“Horse whisperer” Ms MacGregor defended her image claiming she had been “struggling with ill-health”.