Urgent Appeal for trafficked horses
It’s happened again. More horses rescued from illegal smuggling.
A horrendous discovery: horses rescued on the brink of being trafficked to an unknown fate.
A year after we rescued 26 horses from being illegally transported out of the UK, another lorry load of horses has been rescued from the murky smuggling trade.
We can’t be certain why the horses were being smuggled or to where, but we believe some were headed for fattening and slaughter despite the recent ban on live exports from the UK.
Mercifully, the vehicle was stopped for inspection and a foal was discovered on the floor of the lorry unable to get up. It quickly became apparent that some of the horses were showing signs of disease, including painful open wounds so thankfully the journey was intercepted and the horses taken to the safety of a nearby holding yard. But not before some of these horses had already experienced untold suffering.
World Horse Welfare field officer Rebecca Carter said:
“At the holding facility I was faced with a heartbreaking scene. The equines were so still and quiet and appeared shell shocked from their ordeal. There were three unhandled foals who were completely terrified and when I approached them, they buried their heads into each other and huddled together in a corner of the stable.
“Overall, it was an incredibly sad sight to see this very mixed group of horses, some of which were fully clipped and shod, so previously well cared for, now looking bewildered, poor, and depressed with vacant expressions.”
Eight, including a pregnant mare named Amy, Kevin – a pony battling a severe skin infection, three foals, two Irish thoroughbreds and a riding pony, have now come to the safety of our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
They’ve been through so much and now they urgently need your help.
It will cost more than £56,000 to heal their wounds, fight infections, and ensure they get the care they desperately need. Whatever you can afford to give promises to change a life.
It’s a disgrace that this has happened, but please stand with us to give them the future they deserve.
As ever, thank you for your compassion and support.