Ponies should not be at risk on the marsh

ON July 25 seven Welsh native ponies were seen in considerable distress on Penclawdd Marsh, circling for hours and clearly confused and anxious.

As the flood tide rose they were pushed further and further onto higher land until, having nowhere to go, they were forced to swim in the rising water.

After much time some were able to find footing in a steep gully and fortunately all eventually struggled onto dry land again. Penclawdd Marsh can be a very dangerous place for horses indeed.

There have been drownings in the past, and the steep deeply muddy gullies and banks are treacherous.

In the last few years, when many unadapted ponies (such as heavier cob-types) were put out at great risk on this marshland, sustained pressure from welfare campaigners, the council and the RSPCA led to their removal. But now there seems to be a resurgence and action needs to be taken to prevent the scene described from occurring again.

In this case the ponies involved were Welsh native ponies but none the less clearly struggled to cope with the conditions.

The ponies’ owners, likely local commoners, may have ‘grazing rights’, but none the less have a responsibility, including in law, to ensure the welfare of their ponies.

They should not be subjecting them to risk of drowning on the marsh when tides rise.

Farmers on the marsh with sheep will take steps to protect them, and this should apply no less to the owners of horses. After all, the timing of tides and weather conditions are predictable.

Let us not have a return to the

days when ponies were carelessly disregarded on this dangerous marsh.

David Grimsell (previously of Friends of Swansea Horses) Ciliau Aeron, Ceredigion