RSPCA keen to find horse foster carers

The RSPCA has launched an emergency appeal to find foster homes for a “never-ending tide” of abandoned young horses.

The charity said it was currently looking after nearly 600 horses and ponies which have suffered neglect and cruelty – a figure which has more than doubled since last year, with almost half of the animals involved being young.

It has launched the “Stable Future” appeal to find carers able to temporarily look after some of the 270 animals which are too young to be ridden.

Sally Learoyd, the RSPCA’s equine rehoming officer, said: “Over the past year we’ve seen a huge increase in the amount of horses being disowned or allowed to get into an appalling state because the trade in horses has collapsed.

“I’ve heard of young horses being sold for £5 – less than the price of a bottle of wine.

“We have a never-ending tide of young horses coming into our centres.

“Fostering our youngsters is a way that horse lovers can help us with this problem.”

The recession, rising hay costs and irresponsible breeding are thought to be to blame for the rising number of horses being neglected and abandoned.