UK Rescue

Multi-agency operation takes place to rescue 43 horses in Wellingborough

World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA led the rescue operation, with a number of other equine charities helping.

Posted on 27/02/2020

Birth of first foal from rescued ‘smuggled’ Dover 26 horses

This week World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA led a multi-agency operation, along with Northamptonshire Police and Wellingborough Borough Council, to rescue 43 fly-grazed horses from a field in Wellingborough after three died and conditions deteriorated in the wake of heavy storms. 

World Horse Welfare Field Officer Chris Shaw, who led the operation for World Horse Welfare, said:

“I am on cloud 9 that we got those ponies out – this was a really challenging situation.  World Horse Welfare was keen to remove them – particularly as the conditions had deteriorated – and we worked with the RSPCA to organise the operation once the landowner used its powers under the Control of Horses Act which allowed us to take action.

“We had already arranged 25 bales of hay for the horses while on site, and brought 10 more for the operation itself.  This was a hugely complex rescue involving 43 horses and use of a hovercraft, boats, trucks and even a drone, which we used along with good old fashioned manpower to check we knew the location of each horse. The operation went really well and we are extremely grateful to the other equine charities who pitched in with their valiant help at short notice.”

The charities included Blue Cross who took in 10 of the ponies, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the British Horse Society and Bransby Horses.

World Horse Welfare now has 25 of the ponies in its care, while other charities took in the remainder with five taken to a holding yard locally as they were not fit enough to travel.

Chris continued:

“We just have to get them on the road to recovery and eventually find them new homes.  If people want to help, please donate, or if you can, rehome a horse. Charity centres are full and with the number of horses out there needing help this winter, we need to free up space if we are to take in more.”

Worried about a horse you’ve seen? Find out what to do.

Every horse matters this winter

Give the gift of care – help horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in need of warmth, nutrition and life-saving support. 

Topics

Spindles Farm, Amersham: the UK’s worst-ever case of horse welfare abuse

Spindles Farm, Amersham: the UK’s worst-ever case of horse welfare abuse

Read article
Ponies go from rescue cases to Equifest champions thanks to World Horse Welfare

Ponies go from rescue cases to Equifest champions thanks to World Horse Welfare

Read article

Recommended Blog Posts

How I came to rehome Romeo

How I came to rehome Romeo


Celebrating our London Marathon runners 

Celebrating our London Marathon runners 


Bringing horses back into work: how to restart youngsters, progress a horse’s rehab or get an all-rounder fit

Bringing horses back into work: how to restart youngsters, progress a horse’s rehab or get an all-rounder fit


Enjoy reading stories like this?

Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter

A mobile phone in the palm of a users hand whilst they browse the World Horse Welfare website
Sign me up now

Sign up for our email newsletter

Join over 65,000 other horse lovers

Follow our story on social networks

Join Donate